RiaanConrad
Hi Guys
I've been reading for a while and from the outside this looks like a much more civil place than other forums (fora??) I've encountered.
By nature, I’m a very quiet person, so don’t expect a stack of posts from me. :-[
My story to now:
I got my first guitar when I was sixteen. I convinced my dad to cash in a policy of mine, part went to my guitar the rest went into a savings account for my first car.
My then brother-in-law-to-be (who considered himself an expert because his brother could play) bought the guitar on my behalf, because in the small town I grew up in, there weren't any music shops. You were lucky to find a reasonable guitar at a pawn shop!
So I took possession of my Kimberley W100 acoustic.
I messed around and learned the intro to Come As You Are, Smoke on the Water, and a partial intro to Nothing Else Matters. And that’s where I stagnated. I played these for about 3 or 4 years and then just stopped. I didn't touch a guitar again for ten years.
Jump to two months ago, and I decided to take up writing again.
Through this I discovered my love for music again, which was dormant for a good few years.
And suddenly I was missing my guitar.
I made arrangements for her to be sent to me, but I just couldn't wait the two weeks to be reunited with my baby. So one Sunday I walked in to Music Mate in Fourways and a short while later walked out with a black Tanglewood Discovery Acoustic. Best buy of my life (so far).
I picked up where I left off within an hour, although the bar wasn't set very high to start off with. My Kimberley got delivered in the meantime and I got her set up so that I can play her for sentimental reasons.
For a month I tried learning new things, focusing on my chords and some Foo Fighter songs. I can now add another intro to my very short repertoire!!
I force myself to play every day, and so far it hasn't been difficult because I really enjoy it. My fingers are feeling it though.
A week ago I decided to get a coach so that I don’t fall into the wrong habits and to learn the correct technique and to bring some structure to my learning process.
First lesson. Today!
I just couldn't wait.
The whole weekend I was making sure my guitar is in a presentable condition, wiping off all finger marks, replaced the strings, Testing them and getting used to them. But I’ll be swapping them out really soon. I don’t like the feel of the coated strings.
FFWD to today and my car goes in for a service and I ask the guys to check a few things.
Long story short, my entire budget for the next three months is completely blown. I had to make a very tough decision, and that is to postpone my lessons by a month.
So now I am back to trying to teach myself and grow a bit before I (hopefully) start my lessons next month.
And that’s where I am now.
I want to learn this acoustic guitar and then get myself an electric in the next year or two, but that’ll take care of itself when the time comes.
Chabenda
Welcome RiaanConrad, a guitar is a wonderful thing - a friend, a companion, a lover (You can take them to bed with You - just don't tell your friends!)
As an old fart I would tell you not to pay too much attention to finger marks or (respectfully) guitar lessons - go watch some guy playing live. Not only do you get a great lesson but you get some serious inspiration!!
Bem vindo - Welcome! There are a lot of great people on this forum!!
Chocklit_Thunda
Welcome to the forum ? don't worry man. As log as you're determined you'll get there eventually ?
Just gotta be patient and don't give up on learning
RiaanConrad
Thank you for the welcome guys.
I'm not going to give up the guitar.
In ten years it hasn't given up on me. And truthfully, I find it much more understanding, forgiving and reliable than any woman I've ever met. ?
Should there be a time that I have to choose, the guitar will definitely win. ?
I'm taking it one day at a time and try to perfect what I know, and to learn something new, no matter how small.
I'm going to go out and see some guys play to see what can be done and to give me a kick up the butt I need to keep on keeping on.
warrenpridgeon
RiaanConrad wrote:
Thank you for the welcome guys.
I'm not going to give up the guitar.
In ten years it hasn't given up on me. And truthfully, I find it much more understanding, forgiving and reliable than any woman I've ever met. ?
Should there be a time that I have to choose, the guitar will definitely win. ?
I'm taking it one day at a time and try to perfect what I know, and to learn something new, no matter how small.
I'm going to go out and see some guys play to see what can be done and to give me a kick up the butt I need to keep on keeping on.
The gas is strong with this one... hehe
Welcome! Smoke on the water is probably in most guitarists repertoire and one of the most feared songs by guitar salesmen ?
I also started off something like that... My dad showed me smoke on the water, duelling banjos and hasie a bad moon rising... and then I didn't touch a guitar for like 10 years... got an el cheapo acoustico, which I still have and journeyed (don't stop believing) on to electric from there...
studmissile
Welcome, remember if you perfect your self taught bad habits it could one day become a very unique technique and style of playing!
Chabenda
RiaanConrad wrote:
Thank you for the welcome guys.
I'm not going to give up the guitar.
In ten years it hasn't given up on me. And truthfully, I find it much more understanding, forgiving and reliable than any woman I've ever met. ?
Should there be a time that I have to choose, the guitar will definitely win. ?
I'm taking it one day at a time and try to perfect what I know, and to learn something new, no matter how small.
I'm going to go out and see some guys play to see what can be done and to give me a kick up the butt I need to keep on keeping on.
Eish.....You haven't played a Gibson yet!!!!
Jokes aside - The right Lady is something else!! Don't despair, pull your socks up! ?
Kush
Welcome! you will find many friends here I can assure you and do not despair, lessons or no lessons, your journey will be an awesome and an enjoyable one. " We are all apprentices in a craft where none becomes master."
scotty
Good going!
My story is very similar, I played for 2 years at school, 12 years later I got a guitar and now (another few years later) I have four.
Just keep playing, if you get discouraged, play with friends or visit www.justinguitar.com to keep up the spirits and learn new things for free, it worked for me. You can also find a guy called steviesnacks or Marty Schwartz (on youtube) if you want to learn some songs and other things. I also learned of this course via the forum:
https://www.coursera.org/course/guitar. Maybe it can help you while you save for your guitar tutor.
Been on the forum for only a short while and it has really helped me in many ways.
Good luck.
Squonk
never too late.
I went on veld school when I was 12, and noticed a guitar for the first time, one of my class mates was playing "House of the Rising Sun" to a whole crowd of girls who were swooning over every note he played. Went home bought a guitar book and was horrified at how complex it was, threw the book in my cupboard. Discovered Led Zeppelin and wanted to be Jimmy Page, got my dad to buy me an electric guitar (El Cheapo thing) when I was 14. Couldn't play any Page licks so I tossed the guitar into the cupboard.
Finally at 16 I found the Guitar and book in my cupboard and taught myself a couple of basic chords. Hooked up with some like minded people at school and learned a couple of songs " Baby, I'd love you to want me", finally learned "house of the Rising Sun" and "Venus" but very far from Page, Blackmore etc.
Joined the SADF when I was 17 and my guitar was stolen, got married and and Life kind of happened.
Eventually in 2008, I discovered GFSA and things got a bit more serious. Played my first open mic(First time live) at the age of 47 in 2010 after plenty of persuasion from certain GFSA members.
chris77
Welcome man. (Come As You Are and Nothing Else Matters were my first riffs too ? )
Good luck with the learning part. As hard as it is in the beginning, it is totally worth it.
RiaanConrad
Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. It's really appreciated.
I've found some good online lessons and am focusing on that to get myself up the speed I think I should be. But not rushing either.
I'm sure I'll be good enough to stand in front of a crowd and play eventually, but that's not my focus.
I just want to enjoy it and entertain myself.
Some day, I might share it with the world. Who knows, maybe, just maybe, I'll be blowing minds!! ?
vic
RiaanConrad wrote:
Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. It's really appreciated.
I've found some good online lessons and am focusing on that to get myself up the speed I think I should be. But not rushing either.
I'm sure I'll be good enough to stand in front of a crowd and play eventually, but that's not my focus.
I just want to enjoy it and entertain myself.
Some day, I might share it with the world. Who knows, maybe, just maybe, I'll be blowing minds!! ?
If I may....forget for the moment to play riffs...focus on playing something simple....eg. sing a tune and accompany yourself on guitar....and if you're not sure of the chords, google it.
Make sure that you have the right strum techniques under the belt before you wade into deeper waters. Being able to play a few riffs is NOT playing guitar in the true sense.
Good luck.
RiaanConrad
Thanks, Vic. I'm trying to stick to stuff I know already and to sing along. As soon as I even think of making a sound, my hands go crazy and just stops working ?
Working on it daily though, so soon enough I'll be able to do that.
I have a bunch of tabs and chords but only work on two at the moment.
It's like a new language. You start with short sentences and then build on it as you expand your vocabulary.
Small consistent steps. Daily.
vic
RiaanConrad wrote:
Thanks, Vic. I'm trying to stick to stuff I know already and to sing along. As soon as I even think of making a sound, my hands go crazy and just stops working ?
Working on it daily though, so soon enough I'll be able to do that.
I have a bunch of tabs and chords but only work on two at the moment.
It's like a new language. You start with short sentences and then build on it as you expand your vocabulary.
Small consistent steps. Daily.
That's right...exactly what I meant.
It takes time...be patient....good luck. ?
