How many times have you quit guitar?

[Johan Madsen]

I've never quit, I usually don't quit things I like, only those I don't

[JGinNJ]

Guitarists are lucky. It's an easier instrument to play, you don't have to play every day to keep it up, there's lots of opportunities to play, or you can play solo. I've never quit over 40+ years, just gone a few days or a week or 2 at most without playing.

But I play trumpet, too, and quitting that instrument is a common thing. They even have a name for it- a "Comeback Player", and the story is very common- "I played in high school/college, then I got a job, had a family, blah blah blah, then I got it out of the closet and I'm having a great time, sorry I ever quit..."

[jseth]

Easy one!

Never, not once in 60 years of playing...

Oh, I've gotten frustrated to the point of nearly bashing the guitar against a wall (mostly in my earlier learning days!), but quitting playing? Nope.

[Yrksman]

First guitar Jan 1965 never stopped since. Just last week I was without a guitar from Monday to Thursday. Can’t explain how much I missed playing and having the knowledge that a guitar was there to play when needed.

[Goodallboy]

Never..................

[DesertTwang]

I never quit guitar in the sense that I believed at any point in time that I wouldn't be doing it forever.

There were times when I barely played, but that was mostly due to two reasons:

I was self-taught, and after the novelty of being able to strum a few basic songs along with a CD had worn off, I faced the hard reality of practicing and actually learning how to play the instrument. I didn't have a good idea of what style I wanted to play and had a hard time finding a good teacher.

The other reason was that soon after I had taken up guitar for the first time, I moved to Arizona from Germany, and upon starting a life in a new country, I was too busy exploring the outdoors and making friends, so guitar-playing wasn't high on my list.

Ever since I found my musical focus (bluegrass and Americana) and a fantastic teacher (Bryan Sutton at artistworks), I have practiced almost every day.

[JonHBone]

Been playing seriously since around '99 but the last two years I've only picked up my guitar once or twice a week. Before that I wouldn't feel right unless I picked the guitar up that day. Partial burnout and other hobbies getting more of interest. My slowdown is in no way quitting...just pursuing other interests for now and do believe I'll have more attention for the guitar....uhhh tomorrow. Heh.

[fred4321]

Interesting post. Just what I was searching for this morning.

I have decided this weekend to quit playing guitar after 45 years of playing. Selling off my gear (electric and acoustic) plus amps etc.
I have had enough of the emotional pain playing guitar gives me.

My wife wont let me sell the custom Maton though.

[Steel and wood]

Full on since I picked up the guitar 15 years ago, although I have a number of interests and side hobbies also.

[Ludere]

Sitting here trying to work out all the stop-start dates ... started guitar the mid 70's ... somehow stopped about a year later. Picked it back up mid-90's ... it faded away again after a year or so ... pulled a repeat performance in the mid 2000's ... and then finally I picked it back up in May of 2018, determined to stick to it.

I have played every day since ...

None of these breaks were a conscious decision to quit ... it just sorta dropped off my radar ... so this time I've committed to playing every day.

~ Paul

...

[jaymarsch]

Several times for me over 55 years of playing. Mostly, due to work and family obligations that just ate up a lot time and energy. I re-dedicated myself to guitar in 1991 and got my first decent guitar, took some lessons but still only played a few covers. Then in 2003, I decided to follow my dream of being a singer songwriter and that is when I discovered an actual community of musicians, songwriters and guitar players. Then my playing really took off and I was able to break through some barriers that were holding me back. I’ve been playing consistently ever since.

Best,
Jayne

[Paoli]

never,after 40 years of playing

[Skarsaune]

Originally Posted by fred4321

I have had enough of the emotional pain playing guitar gives me.

This makes me sad, that it causes you pain; it brings such joy to many of us.

Do what you must. Take care of yourself.

Me, I’ve put the guitar down for a year at a time once or twice when life got in the way. But it’s been 30+ good years, and only getting better nowadays.

[Dbone]

Twice. Was too overwhelmed with university and work schedule, building my career, young children, etc...I just felt I couldn’t consistently put the time in over those periods and threw in the towel. Now in my mid 40s I am in a different spot in my life that is a little more conducive to pursuing it.

Having said this, I never ever lost my love and interest in it. That remained.

[bls82261]

I've only quit once. Started in '79, quit in '79 and then picked it back up in '17 or so. I'm in it for life now.