On Becoming a Guitarist

[valentsgrif]

Hi, Gerry. If you like the Washburn, keep it. If you like the Blueridge more, trade the Washburn(or, if you have the money, keep the first and buy the second. Why choose ?). This probably sounds like no help at all, but, honestly, everyone has their opinions about what equipment is better and what isn't. Check out the other forums and you'll realize that pretty quickly. Arguments are constantly breaking out. I love Gibsons, but I've got little time for Fenders. Does that mean Fenders are no good ? Nope. It just means that they don't work for me and my tastes. Try explaining to Clapton that Fenders are no good ! Frankly, take anything others say with a healthy dose of salt. With music (and life in general, I guess) it's your opinion that ultimately has to count the most.

 

 

If the guitar fits and plays easy, for a beginner, its a good guitar no matter what the name on the inside says.

 

I've seen more beginners frustrated because of hard to finger fret boards, overheavy strings and too high of an action.

 

You want a low action, that is, the strings along the neck should rest just off the frets. A guitar teacher or experienced player will tell you if the "set up" is optimal.

[masterbuilt]

When my son comes home from Iraq (Army), he told me he wants to learn to play "This Old Guitar" (finger-pickin' it) and sing that song to his girlfriend.

Smart boy.

Yes, guitar playing, infact, any instrument playing, is a calling. I was called at an early age and I am glad I answered that call.

My wife is glad, too. I have written songs for her. She is my love, my best friend, my inspiration.

[Ultrahighgain]

Good thread.

Just wanted to put my mark on it so I can come back and read it from time to time.

[halfwhole]

i gave up for about 5 years, but not by choice! i started playing lefty at 15 and had tendinitis in my fretting hand by 17(!). it got put on the back burner because specialists couldn't do {censored} for me and i eventually stopped playing altogether.

 

this past january i started playing again, but right handed and i'm making progress and loving every second of it!

[Z_Zoquis]

I just posted a ridiculously long "career retrospective" in the BSWTB forum that sorta fits in with the subject here.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2291434

Yeah, I fell victim to the standard "life gets in the way" issues that often take one away from endeavors like guitar playing. It's one of those things that are hard to keep putting effort into when you know you're just doing it for yourself. I like playing electric, and its pretty tough to justify spending money on a bunch of gear just to rock out in the basement. Once you have kids running around it also becomes exponentially more difficult finding the time to practice. If they are awake you can't get away from them, and if they're asleep, you usually are too...

But I got back into it after a long time off and I'm really enjoying it. Like most, I really regret all those lost years of potential practice but what can you do...

[ShyPicker]

What a great thread, and what a great site this is.

I have played guitar and bass for about 25 years. Played in a band in high school (bass) with two buddies who were very talented, and had that natural gift of music given to them. I on the other hand have ZERO talent, but have the urge to keep trying and trying and trying, you get the point. Anytime I walk into a bar and see a live band, I get in this mode that I have never really talked with anyone about, it's just a good, happy feeling from down inside I guess is the best way to explain it?

I have hit some of the dangerous spots, but after reading this and seeing other peoples views and thoughts, it's just something that one has inside them, to play a guitar. I went through periods where I would only pick up the guitar once or twice every 3 months or so, because I can never seem to excel at any level and it gets very frustrating at times. Lately, like the last 4-5 months, I bet I spend 3-4 hours or more per day practicing. I still can never seem to advance my playing much, but I will say this, I can sit and play for 2-3 hours easy, and be in a totally different world.

I hope someday I can consider myself a good guitarist, because that has always been my dream, not a star or anything, just a good guitarist. I still have a long road ahead, but I will say this, I will keep on trying, because it's just in me to do it.

One last thing,

It's a great thing to have a place like this where you can listen, read and discover so many stories, experiences of others, and knowledge of music from some very cool people with one main love............The Guitar!!!!!!

[Soph]

Fantastic read, truly is going to stick with me.

 

Story Time! Gather around...

 

One year ago I wanted to "find myself (I think most teens experience this) and for some reason I turned to guitar. I never played an instrument before, only owning a handful of CD's I really had not concept of music. So one school night I went out with and bought an Alvarez R96, some pics, a stand, and a case. I had no idea how to play so I just asked the clerk what I needed to play a guitar. He tried signing me up for lessons at $65 a lesson every two weeks and I had to turn him down, I barely had enough to get the case. Going ahead a few months I learned basic chords and progression along with some songs such as Wanted Dead or Alive, Wonderwall, Iron Man (funny stuff on acoustic), and eventually I was able to finger pick Stairway. I didn't know at the time if any of those songs were considerable hard to play, but I recall spending two days straight finger picking Embryo until my thumb and ring finger bled. I was so amazingly proud of the sound I was making that words couldn't express it. Another few months later I got an Squire Affinty Strat Special, strap, and an amp (at the time I didn't have money for a case). Two months later I was playing the Stairway solo for friends along with a backtrack. Now I can break out in a self-composed thrash solo sweep picking like there's no tomorrow. I don't consider myself good, there's far to much out they're that I haven't even delved in much less heard of to hold myself that highly, but I just love playing so much, it holds an essence of mysticism that draws me to it.

 

The amazing thing is I never thought I would of accomplished any of that in year (much less my life), especially without a teacher (I'd like to get one one day, once I can pay for it). Since I've gotten my first guitar I've just been playing all day, doing homework, and soaking in every bit of guitar knowledge I can from books, guitarists, and mainly the web. The biggest part is in believing that you can do it. It may take weeks or even months before a certain song or solo your set on sounds right, but knowing that you'll be able to do it eventually is key.

 

I doubt I'll ever stop playing, think I'll go crazy if I went for a day without playing guitar. If I was the worst guitar player in the world I'd still play every day. There's something truly magical about it, but I can't say what it is, maybe that's why I like guitar so much. It's so cool we all have this invisible bond of the guitar holding us together.

 

That's my little tale, to give a better background on me since I'm new here.