Music Before the Money

Abraham Maslow developed a model in which basic, low-level needs such as physiological requirements and safety must be satisfied before higher-level needs such as self-fulfillment are pursued.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (from NetMBA.com)

Physiological Needs (Sustenance)

• air
• water
• nourishment
• sleep

Security

• Living in a safe area
• Medical insurance
• Job security
• Financial reserves

Social Needs

• Need for friends
• Need for belonging
• Need to give and receive love

Esteem

• Self-respect
• Achievement
• Attention
• Recognition
• Reputation
• Truth
• Justice
• Wisdom
• Meaning

Self-Actualization

Self-actualization is the summit of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It is the quest of reaching one’s full potential as a person. Unlike lower level needs, this need is never fully satisfied; as one grows psychologically there are always new opportunities to continue to grow. According to Maslow, only a small percentage of the population reaches the level of self-actualization.

My first Fender Stratocaster was the infamous 1971 “Flaming Strat” and my third was the Gold Strat. I forgot the 2nd one because I only owned it for 6 months. I used to swap and buy and sell electric guitars almost non-stop but I have every acoustic I ever owned minus 2 - the Framus 12 String and a Giannini classical guitar.

My1974 Strat was a “hardtail” which meant it never had a tremolo arm or “whammy bar” as it was called. The body had evolved from the basic sunburst and solid colors into a great natural finish. It sill had that big ’70s-era headstock with the garish Fender logo in big black letters. And the maple neck had a rosewood fretboard.

I really liked playing this model but traded it for a 1973 Gibson Hummingbird. I still have the Gibson.