What I am Listening to Is Myself Learning Guitar

[winder]

For 15 years I have toyed with the idea in my head that I should take guitar lessons.  Finally I have taken the plunge to do so, thus last weekend I bought a used Fender Stratocaster and a small amp.

I had my first of weekly lessons on Wednesday, so now I am simply learning to fret to get the fingers stronger and calloused.

I am enjoying this challenge, as I haven't played a musical instrument in over 30 years.   Practice in the morning and evening is allowing a new skill to be acquired, and I haven't acquired any new skills in a LOOOOOOONGGGGG time.

I am so thrilled that I finally did this.  I was afraid it was too late, but such is not the case.  My fingers and mind are learning.  Of course my fingers are lean and long enough that this simply cannot be a physical impossibility, rather the only reason why I won't get this is a lack of commitment and discipline.

WOW!

But, oh shudder, the insecurity of being in front of my instructor nad not knowing how to do this already.  What a stupid mental game that is!  Of course I don't know how to play guitar, so why be embarrassed, that is why I am there.  But I have become so accustomed to being good at what I do that the notion of starting an endeavour without instant success is very oreign to me.  Thus in additional to the mental challenge of making music, I have a psychological challenge of letting myself suck hard for a while.

Cheers.

(Oh yeah, my divorce is final, big deal...I have guitar to learn and weight training for my body.)

[JRL]

Yep, like Jimi said "at least I still have my guitar"

As a guitar teacher, I have seen many cats alot like you. The ones that stuck with it all got better amd better. There is this point, the first time you get past struggling with the mechanics of it and actually make music. Beautiful thing.

I always try to get them to this point as soon as possible. Once you learn to play your first tune in tune and in time you are on your way.

Teachers have different approaches, I always tailor the lessons to the student. One size does not fit all. everyone has different abilities and different goals.

If I can be of help let me know.

[winder]

My teacher is a guy my age who has been playing a long time.
He is about my size.
His enthusiasm is amazing...he really seems to enjoy teaching.
He told me that despite all his skill and ability teaching has improved his guitar playing after he became an instructor 2 years ago.  Thus he is still learning and he appreciates being an instructor, I am not just a small money machine.  Frankly the $1000 I'll cough up in lessons over a year seems like a bargain, that sort of money can so easily be blown on crap that offers no joy whatsoever.

[JRL]

Sounds like you found a good one. I really like teaching too. And I have made many real good friends. He is so right about the teacher learning, Ive been teaching for 10 years or more and I still learn stuff all the time.

I think enthusiasm is the key. What I try to keep in the forefront is the joy of music. I love it when my students have breakthrough moments. Like one guy my age, has been studying with me for a couple of years, and up until now he would meticulously tab out everythng I would show him, n spite of my constantly telling him that he could be using his EARS a lot more. Two weeks ago he came in and said that he had actually figured out a couple little licks off of The Thrill is Gone, and then last week he comes in and starts improvising his own solo to it!!!!

[winder]

I had been able to read music at one time and even sang in choir (not to say that my voice was hitting the right notes, but I tried).

To augment the artistic side of this, I will try learning some academic aspects by means of a music theory class from the local community college.

I might even meet a chick or two, and this IS partially about that.
Engineering credentials is not going to get me chicks.
Not that my lame musical talents will either, but I think being more balanced - with my attitudes and capabilities, my challenges and patience, my choices of pursuits and pleasures, will help me find the next right someone and maybe even some just for fun before then.

Not to discredit the true musicians at all, but I am no Bob Dylan who was determined he would be a landmark music maker and song writer, much like Jack Kerouac was determined to be writer of substance.

[JRL]

Man, music is so theraputic, it has gotten me through so much in life. I like the way you are tackling it, music deserves the effort. I wish you lived a little closer, I would love to be your teacher.

We can't all be Dylan or Kerouac, nor do we need to be. Art will make life richer, that you can count on.