Playing guitar is about far more than learning chords and rhythms. It’s about an emotional connection. It’s about finding time in your busy life. It’s about what’s important to you as a person. It’s about “AHA moments”, and it’s about “Duh…” moments. It’s about what you find beautiful and satisfying, and why.
In the Guitarside Chats, Lisa talks with you one-on-one about these issues that face most guitar learners one way or another. Don’t see your concerns and thoughts addressed here? Let us know what they are, and Lisa may create a Guitarside Chat just for you!
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Guitar Life 
Howdy Lisa,
I just found this link in my email. I’m playing guitar since I was 13 years old and there is never a moment were I don’t learn something new about playing guitar. Your presence on the web and the way you teach is very valuable to me.
Keep on going.
Hans
Thank you Hans!
To All Who Read This Forum, Whatever holiday you celebrate, Hope it is filled with joy and Peace. Thanks Lisa, Merry Christmas !!!!
Hi Lisa, love the web site thus far, thank you! I am 51 years old, and have been playing on and off since I was 11 years old. As a kid I took lessons for a couple of years, learned how to read music but wasn’t satisfied as I wanted to play the songs that were on the radio. I learned how to play chords, would buy books from my favorite bands/musicians like America, Neil Young, the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle etc and I would sing. For many years my guitars were my best friend as I traveled the world while in the Military. I lost interest for probably 10 years or so when I got out and have now re-gained a passion to play. I sold my old Gibson ES 330 a couple of years ago and bought a Fender Amercian Strat, I still have my 1970’s Takamine acoustic and most recently bought my new baby (Taylor 814CE) which I absolutely love. Of course now my passion to play is different. I no longer want to play just chords and sing. With my Strat I wanted to get into the blues. I learned the Minor Pentatonic scales and some licks but seem to be in what you would call Pentatonic jail. I feel stagnant. Having my new Taylor I want desparately to learn finger style. I have picked up some stuff on You Tube ie. Travis picking, some Stephan Grossman blues stuff but I want to play special music. Honestly I want to play for God. How should I practice? What should I practice? How do I learn? Do I continue to pick up licks on line or should I find a song to learn? Are there any video’s or books that you would recommend? I do love the way you play and sing, and I value your input.
God is always good, Joe
Hi Joe,
Thanks for your wonderful note. I’m sure your beautiful new Taylor will be happy to learn fingerpicking with you! I have an extensive set of video lessons on Acoustic Fingerpicking for Beginners, which could be a really good fit for you. It’s a very structured journey which takes you from the very first moves, through intermediate Travis picking.
I’ll send you over to my other site, Getting Started with Guitar, where you can try the first lesson in the series for free, and find out lots more info on my lessons.
Keep me posted – Happy New Year! -Lisa
I appreciate your comments about the spirituality you experience in playing guitar. I feel that too, in my way.
Hi lisa , i just want to say , ive been watching your youtube videos for a while , and i have just dicovered this great website! , i find you very easy to listen to unlike some guitar teachers , and you are very clear in your lessons , and you seem a good laugh to! , thanks for all your help in my guitar playing , i really appreaciate it
Hi Jason,
Thanks so much, and welcome!!
Hi Lisa,
I “met” you on the guitar tricks site. I subscribed and I’m very happy I did. I’m a 57 year old guitar lover. Played in my younger years, then decided to pick it up again now that it is “my turn” in life to do as I please. I’ve learned so much from you already, as well as the other guitar tricks staffers. Many thanks for all you do.
Norm,
Wonderful to meet you! Thanks for your kind note. I’m happy to know you and the guitar are back together again.
Hi Lisa,
Do you know if there will be any sales coming up soon for Guitar Tricks full membership?
Just curious, Lisa J
Hi Lisa,
I am not aware of any Guitar Tricks specials coming up. I know they just wrapped up a couple around the holidays and the new year.
I’ll remind you though that even when you sign up without a discount, they do offer a 60-day money-back guarantee. So you can essentially try it out for 2 months to see if it’s a good fit for you, and get your money back if you decide it’s not. Even at “full price”, I think it’s only around $15 per month.
Here’s a link if you want to check it out. Guitar Tricks Online Guitar Lessons
I just spent the last 2 days filming some fun new stuff for Guitar Tricks! Now, off to the editing studio….
Hi Lisa,
I just pulled you up on Itunes,,,and listened to all of your samples. Do I detect some Marianne Faithful influence? I mean that in a very positive way.
Oh yes, that could very well be true.
Hi Lisa,
Your thoughts on finger picks. Have you used them, do you now, do you recommend them, if so, what type/brand? Thank you
Hi Norm,
Some people swear by fingerpicks, but personally I have never been able to get the hang of them. I rely on my fingernails (real, or sometimes, fake!)
Hi Lisa,
Your lessons on fingerpicking are making it a lot easier than I thought it would be (although I still have to practice a lot!). I noticed that you play an Epiphone Masterbilt fingerpicking model (EF-500 RCCE?). Do you play these exclusively? I recently bought a Masterbilt Mahogany Dreadnaught, and I love it!
Thanks for the great lessons, I always look forward to the next one!
John H. in Florida
Hi John,
Yep, that’s the guitar I am playing. I love it too.
In my heart of hearts, I have to confess my all-time favorite guitars are my Taylors. (shh, don’t tell my Epi!)
Congrats on your new guitar!
Best wishes, Lisa