How many of us are strum-along wannabees? (aka guitar players)

[old_tony]

In the RIP Dan Fogelberg thread I posted a link to a lot of his songs with chords/tabs for guitar and it made me curious. How many of out there are guitar hobbyists?

I took my first lessons a little over eight years ago having just turned 39. And I stuck with it. One of the best things I've ever gotten around to doing.

Who else out there is among the guitar-playing brethren?

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

Been playing for roughly 12 years.

Still absolutely terrible, but it's something I enjoy.

 

[jlee]

I picked up my dad's acoustic when I was 16 and taught myself on the Internet through now-defunct or -ruined sites like taborama.com, mxtabs.net. I developed a lot of bad habits and have no rhythm whatsoever. I picked up a cheap Stratocaster rip-off, an amp and a distortion pedal to fill in as a rhythm guitarist for a few punk bands before heading off to college.

I didn't play again until I graduated, became unemployed and needed to relieve some stress and kill time.

I never play in front of anyone and just keep my chunky, off-beat strumming to myself. For now, I like it that way.

 

[old_tony]

I played in a band a few years ago and it was fun but also draining at times.. For the last two years it's been strictly on my couch or on a bench in a park away from everybody else. But it's so damn soothing.

jlee and noonelikesus, keep on playing no matter how badly you might think you're playing. I can't think of a better thing anyone could do with some of their free alone time.

And I note their is an ad for online video guitar lessons right below as I fill in this reply.

 

[ralph wiggum]

Does Guitar Hero III on Xbox count? What, it doesn't? Damn

 

[jakewriter82]

Been playing for about 6 and a half years now. I love it. When I need to clear my mind, I pick up my acoustic and just play. It doesn't matter what -- it could be just 3 or 4 chords or finger picking "Blackbird" by the Beatles -- it has a powerful effect all the same.

 

[Platyrhynchos]

No guitar, but a banjer.

Not very good, yet, but I hope to get there. Might take a while, especially with my arthritic fingers. But, I'm told that activity of this type is therapeutic for arthritis. Anybody know if this is true?

 

[old_tony]

No guitar, but a banjer.

Not very good, yet, but I hope to get there. Might take a while, especially with my arthritic fingers. But, I'm told that activity of this type is therapeutic for arthritis. Anybody know if this is true?

As long at it's not too painful I don't think it can be bad. so by elimination it has to either be neutral or good. You got a 50-50 shot.

 

[EStreetJoe]

does air guitar count?

 

[old_tony]

does air guitar count?

I would suspect air guitar is an indication you wish you knew how to play.

Go for it and take lessons. Like I said, I took my first lesson at age 39 a little over 8 years ago. You're never too old.

 

[KG]

Santa is bringing me my first acoustic this year.




Edit: Wish me and everyone within hearing range luck while I learn to play.

 

[Buck]

I've played for 20 years.
I used to be a passable player when I was younger. I was really consumed with it for the first 10 years.
For most of the past 10 years, I play only occassionally. Sometimes, I'll hit a run where I play a lot and some of my proficiency comes back, but for the most part I play maybe once or twice a month.

 

[old_tony]

Santa is bringing me my first acoustic this year.




Edit: Wish me and everyone within hearing range luck while I learn to play.

Best of luck and stick with it. Get discouraged, PM me and I'll try to get you back on track.

About the best thing I've done in the last 10 years is decide to do it and stick with it.

 

[dawgpounddiehard]

Been playing for about 10 years. Self-taught, can't read music, but tabs. Got a Fender acoustic that I love just sitting around, relaxing and playing to some of my favorite songs.

Glad I've picked it up and stuck with it. That said, I'd love to try and get better, but time is a factor.

 

[sportschick]

I own a guitar. I own a tuner thingie. I would not say I play, however.

 

[Buck]

I had banjo back in college.
Unfortunately, at the end of one spring semester, I needed to get home but was flat broke.
I sold my Peavy Bandit amp, my banjo and pair of brand new Creepers for &75, two packs of cigarettes and a lighter.
I think I would like to get another banjo.

 

[KG]

I hope Santa gets mine tuned before leaving it under my tree on Christmas. Then again, it's not like on that first day (or ever for that matter) I'll play like Joe Satriani.

 

[mike311gd]

I used to know how to play Green Day's "Brain Stew" on the guitar, but that was a while ago. I am, however, a pretty proficient steering-wheel drummer.

 

[Buck]

I hope Santa gets mine tuned before leaving it under my tree on Christmas. Then again, it's not like on that first day (or ever for that matter) I'll play like Joe Satriani.

Just get yourself an electric tuner.
Eventually, you'll learn to tune it on your own, but an electric tuner is great when you're getting started.
I've been playing for some time, and I still use an electric tuner.
I can hear and feel when the guitar is in tune with itself, but I can't objectively tell that the E string is actually an E.

 

[Buck]

Also, I recommend taking lessons.
I'm self-taught, and as a result have terrible habits. As you get better and want to do more things, those bad habits make it tougher on you.
Also, play with other people. That's how you get better.