Howdy folks!

Steve here from the central Texas area.

I’ve always wanted to play the guitar. Bought a Fender acoustic back in 1980 (while I was in the Air Force). Took private lessons at the music store where I bought it. After the 3rd lesson, the instructor said that I’d never be able to play. I was really having a hard time getting the notes to ring clear and I was so frustrated that I didn’t argue with her, it didn’t even make me angry when she said it. I guess I was already believing it myself. So I sold it to a buddy in my unit. All I probably needed was a proper setup and some lighter strings, but that was never suggested, and I didn’t know to ask, I just blamed myself.

To make a short story long, I never gave up the desire to play the guitar. After all those years I decided to try again. So I bought an acoustic for my 64th birthday, had it set up properly and with lighter strings. That was 3 years ago. Since then, I’ve added a telecaster and I’m also learning the bass. And for my last birthday, I bought a nice acoustic as a gift to myself for the improvement I’ve made over the last year. I know I’ll never be a “great” (maybe not even a good) guitar player, given how late I started, but I do think I’ve proven that instructor back in 1980 wrong!

I’ve been on GT about a year and a half now, and it’s been a huge help! Been through Fundamentals 1 and almost through Fundamentals 2 (both Anders & Lisa’s). I’m trying to learn fingerpicking now. And I also play at the local VA hospital once a week in the Music Therapy program.

Wow, I didn’t mean to write so much! If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading!