Learning Guitar

Learning, for me, is definitely a lifelong process. I’m always looking to learn something new and different in every phase of my life. I love taking classes and workshops. I love reading books. I love teaching myself to do things. I love listening to people and finding out things from them.

Well, I’ve fancied the idea of playing the guitar for a while now. In fact, I tried to teach myself the guitar when I was in my teens. But, I got frustrated easily and decided that it wasn’t the right instrument for me. That’s why even though my brother Aaron played the guitar and my sister Sasha played the bass guitar, I stayed away from stringed instruments. Instead, I studied piano for several years (since I was ten, or even younger, I think). And, I learned to play the drums in my early 20s. But, I’ve long since retired from playing musical instruments. I’m now way too rusty to play anything decently.

However, in the last few months, I’ve been entertaining the idea of taking up the guitar every time I’d see ads for guitar lessons/classes. A recent conversation with a colleague/friend about guitar playing also triggered more interest. I think I just started to miss playing music, since it has been a good part of my life as I was growing up.

Since I know that buying a piano/keyboard is out of the question right now - and, I certainly can’t see myself playing the drums on my own - I knew that I had to choose a different kind of instrument.

Then, last week, whilst visiting my friends Bern and Glen, I found out that Glen actually plays the guitar. He had a classical and an acoustic one at hand at the time. When I told him that I’ve always been interested in learning to play the guitar, he quickly shoved his classical guitar in my hands. He showed me how to play the E minor chord. He taught me different ways to practice strumming. He proceeded to teach me three other chords: G, C, and D. After a couple of hours playing and jamming, I knew I was hooked.

Two days after my first informal guitar lesson, my husband ’surprised’* me by buying me a “starter guitar”. A classical guitar. Yep - it’s the one pictured here. And, I’ve named him Ashton (not too creative - it’s just based on the brand name, not the actor - heh). I’ve been playing every day since Ashton came.

Now, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from various sources - both online and in real life. I’ll let you know how things go…

* Well, not really too surprising because I’ve been saying that I wanted a guitar since that first lesson.