Shinrock

When I was 13, Dad bought himself and me guitars for Christmas. He always wanted to learn to play, and I suppose he gambled that I did as well. Two decades later, I never put it down.

A few things I wish I knew on that Christmas day:

1) You can definitely teach yourself to play guitar, but you can accomplish so much more (and quickly) if you find the right teacher.

2) Making music is a lot of fun. Understanding what makes music sound great can also be a lot of fun. Theory isn't essential, but it can't possibly hurt your growth.

3) Find other people who love playing guitar. Talk to them often. LISTEN to them often. You'll learn more than you ever could on your own.

Often, I have to remind myself that I do this because I love this. There will always be someone better than me, there will always be more things to learn and master, and there will always be more gear to buy. Stop every once and a while and remember what you get out of it.