If you could start your guitar journey over from scratch what would you do? - Page 4

Steve DeRosa · #46 04-10-2021, 09:25 PM

In prior posts I noticed several recurring themes:

Reading traditional notation
Studying music theory
Focused, structured practice routine

I was fortunate enough to have had all of those early on, as well as a jazz-oriented teacher with a sense of humor - and, thanks to a family friend, a couple opportunities to turn pro/tour/record while still in junior-high school...

If I could start from scratch, I would have followed my heart and become a full-time professional musician...

jaymarsch · #47 04-10-2021, 09:45 PM

Ear training and learn how to practice with a metronome sooner.
Best,
Jayne

DevilsFan · #48 04-10-2021, 09:58 PM

Learn to read music for the guitar. It always seemed so much more difficult to read standard notation for the guitar as opposed to the piano where there's only one place to play middle C. Anyway, I'm going through the Mel Bay Modern Guitar Series and rectifying that now. It's quite difficult but it gets a bit easier every day.

perttime · #49 04-10-2021, 10:08 PM

I'd have got to play with other people more, even got into a band in my late teens.

We had something going on with a few guys at church, but I was quite the loner (even more so in those days) so didn't persist when we went in different directions after school.

tdq · #50 04-10-2021, 10:16 PM

I SHOULD have taken lessons, I SHOULD have practiced more - but I don't think I would have enjoyed playing as much. My only real regret is for the first four years (after learning some simple songs) I pretty much treaded water. It wasn't until my older sisters boyfriend, a great guitar player, inspired me to push myself. Forty years later, I'm still pushing myself, albeit at a fairly relaxed pace. Things really took off when youtube happend.

Oh, and I wish I played more with other people. I have done quite a bit, and still do, but I wish I had done it more. That's where the real magic lies.

Shades of Blue · #51 04-11-2021, 05:12 AM

Never gotten into selling. Just get a nice Martin and be happy.

Mr.Slowpoke · #52 04-11-2021, 05:42 AM

Do not start playing on a 50$ classical guitar.

Mr Bojangles · #53 04-11-2021, 05:47 AM

Keep every guitar I've ever sold.

pegleghowell · #54 04-11-2021, 05:58 AM

I think I have listened to Charlie Patton nearly every single day since my teens...if I could start all over again I`d listen to more Charlie Patton.

catdaddy · #55 04-11-2021, 06:27 AM

I'd start learning fingerstyle right away (along with using a pick) instead of waiting for 40 years.

Don W · #56 04-11-2021, 07:25 AM

Love this thread. I was self taught for most of my life then took lessons (still) from an excellent instructor as I could not figure out fingerstyle on my own. That has been a real plus...I went from playing a lot of the "same old stuff" to recording a fingerstyle CD, learning standard notation and other valuable techniques over the past 8 years. As I said before I started after seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. I am now 68 and have taken lessons bi-weekly for the last 8 years. I don't regret any of my guitar life. The best part was...I played almost every day for most of those years. ...I do however regret selling my 1962 Jazzmaster for $150 way back then.

Dru Edwards · #57 04-11-2021, 07:56 AM

Dave, great point. We all have those leaning points from mistakes. Unfortunately, some of those points I learned during gigs but it's all part of the learning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeDave

I am thankful for the good and bad things in my guitar journey for shaping the way I am today with the guitar. I'm happy with the journey I went through even though I'm not that happy with it at all, but that doesn't matter anymore. If it weren't for the past mistakes, I wouldn't be where I am today. I may not be happy with my past but I am happy right now because of the past. I don't know how to explain this any further.

This forum is the best thing in guitaring that's ever happened to me, even better than the purchase of my Martin D-13E which I even deem as my forever guitar. I am very poor and from my stimulus check, I was able to pull the D-13E in. If it weren't for Acoustic Guitar Forums, I would've quit a long time ago. This forum is my knowledge, it is my rock, it is my everything in guitaring. Guitar is my number one hobby and it's because of AGF. If I had to make a decision to answer this post, it would be without a doubt, joining this forum sooner; or even better answer, I wish I knew it existed sooner.

boombox · #58 04-11-2021, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozarkpicker

I wish I'd appreciated it when my Dad bought me my first guitar after I begged him for it...and then didn't have the discipline to practice and get better, so I soon gave up on it. That was 50-years ago...

Definitely this ^^^

H165 · #59 04-11-2021, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Do not start playing on a 50$ classical guitar.

My first guitar was a well set up 1949 000-28.

59 years and 200 guitars later, I now play a $50 Harmony.

Puddleglum · #60 04-11-2021, 08:05 AM

This is a wonderful thread and I've enjoyed reading all the responses.

The thing I'd do differently... is stop thinking that a different/better guitar was going to make me a better guitar player.

I spent many years making it about the GUITAR I was playing rather than the MUSIC I was playing. Big mistake.