Starting at the age of four, I took piano lessons every
week. To prepare for the lesson I would read and write in a theory book; I
would practice playing all the assigned songs. When I later learned to also
play by ear, I created my own chords and songs. Because I wanted feedback on my
musical creations, but didn’t have an audience, I pretended that people were
listening to me play.
In junior high, I got the audience I wanted through band
class and school recitals. There was no piano in band, however, so I had to
pick a different instrument. I chose the flute. Because I knew piano, I also
knew how to read music, unlike many others in band. I did not stick with the
flute, and eventually quit band, but the success I had playing two instruments
led me to believe I could learn to play any instrument.
About eight years ago, my father in law got me a guitar for
Christmas. Unfortunately, I had little time to learn to play it. I had three
babies to care for. I taught school. I had a marriage and house to attend to.
Although I continued to play piano from time to time, and love music in general,
learning to play a new instrument was not a priority for me. Now, years later,
things are different. The kids are bigger, I am a more efficient teacher, house
and family are in order, and, importantly, I’m in a class that calls for
learning new things in new ways. Now is a good time to learn guitar.
I’ve gathered resources, set some goals, and I have anticipated
challenges. I pulled the old guitar out from the closet, bought some picks, got
a book, and found some videos on the Internet. I aim to learn to play a beginner’s song by six weeks. Although I
have a music background, achievement of this goal is far from automatic. Guitar
is not the same as piano. I will need to learn to use my fingers in a different
way. I will need to know finger positions for all notes and chords. I will need
to know the special rhythm and beat of playing a stringed instrument.
Although I appreciate the wealth and diversity of video and
textual training materials available today (like this, this, and this),
I am not only or even principally a visual learner. I am also an auditory and
kinesthetic learner, one who benefits from in-person question-and-answer as the
means of direct oversight of my trial-and-error learning process.
Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone in my immediate area that plays guitar and
is willing to mentor me in this way, so I purchased four training sessions to
supplement the resources identified above.
I will know I am making progress toward my above stated goal
when I rightly apply the textual/visual materials and yet come up with a list of questions/problems for resolution
with the trainer. I will know I am making progress when that list changes over
time, when old problems are solved and new ones emerge, that is. Early problems
to overcome will likely include: identifying all the parts of the guitar by
name and feel, consistently holding the guitar the right yet comfortable way,
being able to tune the guitar on my own or with a tuner, playing major chords
with ease, strumming a pleasing sound, and overcome finger pain.
This is just what I expect to happen. I don’t really know
what sort of challenges I’ll actually get stuck on at the beginning stages.
Here’s what I do know: learning to
play a beginner song on guitar with limited personal training won’t be easy for
me, but I’m determined to make it happen one way or another.
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