Everyone who plays the guitar had a very first day, even the pros. When did you get started? How does playing guitar fit into your life now? Tell your story here!
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Guitar Life 
I started playing when I was 10 years old.
Hello to all. I started playing when I was about 10 years old. I played for years off and on until I suffered a major trauma to my right hand. I am a lefty and played left-handed. The injury was a the end of my playing until now. I recently was encouraged by my partner to try to learn to play again. Playing left-handed was definitely out because I couldn’t fret the notes or chords, therefore, I am now trying to learn all over again. This time I am learning to play right-handed. This is not so easy to do. I went from being a fairly accomplished player back to the ranks of total beginner. I had totally forgotten how hard it was to learn to play the first time. This is very frustrating, but I will persevere.
I’ve only purchased this domain so it is not live – YET – my intention is to do affiliate marketing for Guitar Tricks in the very near future.
my story; in 1962 I purchased my very first guitar from a store selling used equipment, or maybe it was a pawn shop – don’t really remember – tooooo much muddy water beneath my bridge – 🙂 Anyway, the neck was warped but I had no clue that was the case and began learning to use chords to accompany my singing. Seems to me my calluses were about 1.5″ thick by the time I finally learned a little about what I was doing. Never took any lessons just used the music book I’d purchased. Since then have owned several guitars, one was hand made in Mexico it was an acoustical – a lot of fun. One was a 12 string Yamaha, in its day was a really nice instrument – paid about $150.00 in 1969?? Again too much muddy water!!
Have decided to come back and join Guitar Tricks sometime in the very near future and begin learning again but this time want to learn how to play, my singing voice is no more, too much harsh environment and other mistreatments. I aspire to learn how to “pick” the guitar and what ever other techniques are available with the course at Guitar Tricks.
Who knows you, Miss Lisa McCormick may even be my instructor.
Really enjoyed reading through your blog and especially appreciated your video welcome.
your new “old carpenter” friend
Hi Lisa,Thanks for writing me and i guess i finally get to meet you. I always loved the acoustic guitar because i’ve learned that people who plays,expresses their feelings through this amazing instrument. I use to put off learning to play and always thought i didn’t have the time, or was it ’cause i was afraid to give it a try? well time has pass me by and finally i bought my first guitar and some videos lessons from Herbert online because i some him playing Romanza and i remember how i admire that song,so i learn the first part of the song but the only trouble i had was the barre chords,anyhow,i decided to join guitar tricks and i aways go to your class and started fingerpicking and still there. Learning the chord progression but still have trouble placing my fingers on time while strumming or fingerpicking. My pleasure to meet you and by the way i downloaded your beautiful song ‘lay me down’ Congrats!
Welcome Jimmy! So good to meet you.
Hi Lisa, I always loved the sound of an acoustic guitar, and it is by far my favorite instrument. I didn’t pick it up until 5 years ago, after a running accident that ended my running career, and struggled aimlessly on and off with it. I came across Guitar Tricks, and specificaaly you. Your instruction and material clicked with me in an awesome way, and I found direction and purpose. Thank you so much for what you do, Lisa. I’m very gateful for your teaching and heart for adults in particular.
Thank you, Dave, for your story and very kind comments. It warms my heart.
Hi Lisa, Both of my parents were in a country band when I was young. Mom was a singer and Dad a drummer so I have been around music my whole life. As a young man I could play just a couple of songs, “House of the rising Sun” and a couple of country tunes. Never put in the time needed to learn more. One day a friend who is a very good player played a awesome riff and I looked at him and said ” Damn, I wish I could play like that”. He reached into his guitar case, gave me a pack of strings and said, “you can, go practice”. I had a old cheap flat top and I went home and practiced. A few months later my beautiful lady friend bought me a Yamaha F335 for Christmas. As a arthritis sufferer, this made playing alot easier. I subscribed to a couple of guitar magazines and found that Acoustic Guitar had songs with the chord diagrams. I can’t read music so If I don’t know the melody I’m stuck. In the past 3 years I have increased my song list to around 30 songs, mostly blues stuff as that is the type of music I enjoy. Some Stevie Ray etc…I came across your website and was excited to find your 3 Christmas songs in 3 minutes video. I now have some Christmas songs to play at our next get together. I look forward to learning many more with your help. ThankYou, Marty Conquest , Hudson, Ma P.S. As a male I feel compelled to add that your quite easy on the eyes also…..LOL
Aw, Marty, you’re making me blush!
Found an old dusty acoustic guitar in the closet one day. It had a picture of a cowboy on the front and only four strings. I managed to tune it and learned to play Ghost Riders in the Sky. My father was so impressed, he bought me a used electric for my birthday and it was downhill all the way!
Do you still have the cowboy guitar? That sounds pretty cool.
Not sure what happened to it. It was probably just a cheap “catalog” guitar but I wish I had kept it as a souvenir.
My bio as far as music is concerned started when I moved to Birmingham
Tell us more!
Hi Lisa!
My name is nick, and I’m working as a safety officer for CUC for my living, and since I’m a busy man working, I like to spend times at home playing guitar, and singing music to people who like to listen to music, and most of all to our heavenly father.
I wanted to know your finger picking style of playing guitar, can you help me get started!
Respectfully,
Nick P. Blas
P.O. Box 8162, SVRB
Saipan M.P.
96950
Hi Nick,
Nice to hear from you on the other side of the globe! I will point you towards a video guitar lesson on beginning fingerpicking to help you get started. You can get tons of mileage from the easy pattern I teach in this video. I use this pattern all the time and teach it to all my fingerpicking students.
The video is right on the front page of my Getting Started With Guitar site.
Give it a try and let me know what you think. Best wishes, Lisa
Hi Lisa, good day.Well i’m Jorge Hydro Flores resident of the Philippines.I started playing guitar last 3 years when the company iwas working went bankrupt.Anyway it’s history, so here i am right now starting to play fingerpicking with alot of problem but i know i can do it. I don’t give up once i’m on to something i like, that is of course with God’s help. It’s a pleasure meeting you.
Hi Lisa…it was nice to hear from you via email.
About me:
I retired retired 6 years ago after 47 year career in Radio/Tv broadcasting…I’ve been everything from a Disc Jockey to a weather man, even did a morning tv show as a clown for a while…most of my friends still think I’m a clown. I’m really not a beginner on guitar..having taught myself to play from a Mel Bay book when I was 12 years old..I think is was called “Fun With the Guitar”…it was, and still is after all these years. I stumbled on to your site some time ago as I was visiting the Acoustic Guitar Community, checked it out and discovered it to be one of the best instructional web sites I had ever seen. Even this ole’ dog has learned a few new tricks from you. I began my radio career at age 14, so between that and the guitar, music has been a major part of my life. along the way I picked up mandolin and banjo…and I continue to sing, write, and perform where ever I can. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished here..teaching someone else to play is a great feeling…giving the gift of music is a wonderful way to leave a legacy. Have a Blessed day.
Jim
Hi Jim,
Ah, good ol’ Mel Bay. I think I’ve had a Mel Bay book or two too.
I’m delighted out paths have crossed. What style of banjo music do you play? I play clawhammer style.
Hi Lisa…
My dad played (well he still plays) guitar when I was a little kid. I remember him playing Mexican folk songs.
I apparently inherited some musical genes from he and my mom (who used to sing in the kitchen and in the car all the time). I was in the band in high school and went to college with the hopes of being a jazz trumpet player.
Didn’t work out. Changed majors then dropped out of school after sticking with it longer than I should have. Joined the Marine Corps. Got married, had a child, divorced. Life took over, remarried, career changes, etc. Seventeen years after leaving music in college I picked it up again but by way of an acoustic guitar.
I am having so much fun with it.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for your story, and I am delighted to know you’re having so much fun getting reunited with your music. I love those chord changes in the Mexican folk songs. Do you still play any of those pieces?
Hey Lisa… no it wasn’t me, it was my dad who played those Mexican folk songs.
The funny thing is he doesn’t play them very often despite being what he sings and does best on guitar. No, instead what he likes to play is old standards (think Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and other brat pack members) and occasionally a Beatles song or something from the 70s.
Unfortunately those songs don’t go well with his thick Spanish accent.
If it makes you happy though, right?… play what you love. I guess he loves those old standards.
Hi Lisa
Very happy to read about yourself. Reading the accounts of other people my story is entirly different. In the first sense you my feel like i am usless and not fit for this instument or music. i dont bother. i accept my defeat and the fate. intrest in guitar started at the age of 15. with my school fee i diverted some mony and i bought an old guitar with out the knowledge of my parents.(i am sorry for that). but with out somebody’s guidence it was impossible to learn guitar. Turning, strumming, freting the notes, playing the cords.. all were a hidden thing for me. i knocked many doors. but everyone need money. my family was poor that time. it was in 1970. No internet. no telephone, no television. I hope now you understnad how the surroundings blocked me in raising this talant. but i kept it as a dream. When ever i listen the songs i capture soon the sound of guitar and enjoy the music. in 1975 i came in kuwait. started working withlow wages. 1976 i bought a guitar. but the situation is same as in 1970. No money to spent, 1983 got married. 1990 father of 2 chirldren… mean time i thought better to teach the children the music than i spend for myself .. because i love them .. i was happy when i see my younger daughter play organ and piano. now she is playing keyboard for a christian fellowship and praising lord. in her engineering college she was one of the stars. Formed her own music troops and staged many occations. i am happy now.
In 2008 in the age of 53 i approched a guitar instructor.. and revealed my self.. now my responsibilities have got over.. i am able to pay fee for the guitar class.. the first opinion from him was ..”it is not so easy for you at this age. but try.. fast movement of your fingers may be difficult for you. but try..”! now for 2 years i go for classes. weekly one hour class. monthly 4 classess. Now i am happy..now playing almost all cords. playing pices of musics . i am so eager to see when people play Different way of strumming guitar. So i went to youtube and checked. that s the way i met you . Thanks a lot for responding the mail. with regards
Sunu
Hi Sunu,
Wonderful to meet you, and thank you for your story! I am happy to know that at last you are finding time and space in your life to pursue your love of guitar.
i am 63 and have been playing for 50 years or so. i spent 30 years in the navy and having a little “beater” guitar made life at sea bearable. i play several strined instruments including guitar, mandolin, dobro and upright bass. i stumbled upon your lessons section at epiphone and gibson websites and really like youe style and the way you teach. never too old to learn another way. thanks and i’ll follow your website.
Great to meet you, Gene. It sounds like your guitar has had an adventurous life with you, out at sea and all. Are you still playing the “beater”, or do you have others? If guitars could talk…
I love upright bass too. Thanks for sharing your story!
I have been off and on with guitar since 1975 when I bought a Ovation. My little brother was my inspiration, until I moved to California, where neil young joined our local jam session.
I find I need a group, or at least one other person to play with to feel inspired.
I now live in a rural area, and recently discovered Lisa and Guitar Tricks, and my Gibson J3 remains out of the case, played daily.
I also have a Strat now, and enjoy the variety.
Thanks, Lisa!
Trez,
Oh my God, you jammed with Neil Young?? I’m so jealous!
Welcome to the site, and thanks for your story!
Be well – Lisa
Well Hello Lisa MCCORMICK, I enjoy reading your articles and am new to the guitar but not to new to life. Put another way-I am not a spring chicken and not ready for a rocking chair. I approach learning the guitar as more of a journey than a process and want to thank you for making it more entertaining. I want to work on two songs “Amazing Grace and Dust in the Wind” and you have my condolences for the passing of your friend.
Thanx,
TONY
Thanks so much, Tony. DId you happen to see the video lesson on how to play Amazing Grace?
Playing guitar is most definitely a journey. Glad to meet you on this path.
I’m TRULY starting at 34 years young!
– Jeff Emmerson
I had a guitar at 18 years old, never “found the time” to truly learn……..one of these regrettable mistakes in life. Now I’m 50 plus, work away from home with time on my hands to learn and most of all, I want to play and write tunes for my little grand daughter who is eight months old. I’d like to play her something by the time she’s four or five years old. This will truly be an adventure in love, both for my grand daughter and for my love of music……….thanks.
Graham,
How wonderful. Your grand daughter is a lucky girl!
I am currently giving lessons to a gentleman who is just getting started, at the age of 73. It’s something he has always wanted to do, and now he is doing it. It gives us both great joy.
I wish you all the best in your journey.
Stay in touch, let me know if I can be of help.
Hi Lisa – thank you for the invitation. We sort of met when you posted the 3 chord carols on You Tube & I appreciate your invitation to join your community here. I just read thru’ most of the posts here & recognized Jim Scanlan from Acoustic Guitar Community. Jim & I have spoken a number of times there but what a small world this music world is really! Hi Jim!
I also noticed there were a number of people here with special things to overcome & I am among them. I began playing at the age of 12. Self taught for the most part using an old Harmony Jamboree guitar that a friend of my mothers left at our house for a year. It came with a little cardboard card with chord finger diagrams & I experimented from those until I was able to play.
From there I was in a band for 8 years as a rhythm guitarist. I didn’t do much singing…have about a one octave range & could do voice overs for Minnie Mouse. But I loved my guitar! At that time I had a Gibson LG1 & my beloved soulmate, a 1964 Framus Falcon12 – a guitar that was almost destroyed when movers stored it unprotected in desert heat for 10 months. More on that in a moment.
Things in my life were going along smoothly til May of 2001 when I had a brain aneurysm which paralyzed my left side. End of guitar playing, plus a few other things for awhile.
But then the move from Vegas & the (almost) destruction of my beautiful Framus. I found a very talented man who works at Martin guitars & he repaired my guitar. At that point I thought if my baby can be fixed & ready to play again, so can I! And I felt that if I was going to have to relearn everything, why not learn to finger pick or flat pick…something I’d wanted to do my entire life!
It was that determination which brought me to your 3 chord carols on You Tube & here I am today. My hand works, I have all the tools I need in my brain to play, but just need to get the message from the brain to the fingers. For some reason your method has enabled me & it is happening. Glacially slow, but happening! =)
I look forward to getting better yet with your assistance. Thanks for being here. ♥
~Ginger~
I bought a guitar today and broke the string while my first ever lesson teaching myself. I feel so pathetic. Back when I was 11, I did the same and never got to playing it again and now I am 17. God..
Oh nooo! Dont let another 6 years go by this time. Go get a couple of spare sets, and get right back to your guitar while the energy is fresh! All will be well. Everyone breaks strings sometimes.
Be well – Lisa