West R Lee
Venerated Member
Ok guys, here is your opportunity to share your story and give me some advice.
Sometime back, in another thread, I had mentioned that my son-in-law played and that I was excited to have someone to will my Guilds to when my time is up. Recently, like the past few weeks, my 17 year old has for the first time taken a real interest in learning to play. His progess has caught me totally off guard. My problem is that since I've never had a lesson and don't read music, what I can teach him is limited to say the least. I'm afraid he'll know all I know in a couple of months . I'm really excited about this since it will give me the opportunity to leave some fine acoustics to him one day and to play with him until that day.
If some of you don't mind, share some of the stories of how you started playing, what instruction you've had, if any, and suggestions on becoming a better player. What has worked best for you?
Like 90% of all Geezers, the first song I learned to play was "House of the Rising Sun". An older guy(he was about 16) taught me to play it when I was about 10. After that, I bought guitar music to which I knew both lyrics and melody. The paper taught me how to play the chords and what they were called. The guitar taught me where to take my voice. One of the first I bought was the "Eagles". I loved "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and worked on it until I got it. The melody taught me when to change chords. I used the same routine with many songs until I began to be able to play simple songs by ear. That's still where I am today. Oh I've learned to play a little finger style and some small lead licks, and can occasionally figure out more complex rhythm, but most of you guys are good. I've never really had the time or desire for lessons, but I'd like for him to be far better than I am.
Any stories or suggestions?
Thanks,
West
Sometime back, in another thread, I had mentioned that my son-in-law played and that I was excited to have someone to will my Guilds to when my time is up. Recently, like the past few weeks, my 17 year old has for the first time taken a real interest in learning to play. His progess has caught me totally off guard. My problem is that since I've never had a lesson and don't read music, what I can teach him is limited to say the least. I'm afraid he'll know all I know in a couple of months . I'm really excited about this since it will give me the opportunity to leave some fine acoustics to him one day and to play with him until that day.
If some of you don't mind, share some of the stories of how you started playing, what instruction you've had, if any, and suggestions on becoming a better player. What has worked best for you?
Like 90% of all Geezers, the first song I learned to play was "House of the Rising Sun". An older guy(he was about 16) taught me to play it when I was about 10. After that, I bought guitar music to which I knew both lyrics and melody. The paper taught me how to play the chords and what they were called. The guitar taught me where to take my voice. One of the first I bought was the "Eagles". I loved "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and worked on it until I got it. The melody taught me when to change chords. I used the same routine with many songs until I began to be able to play simple songs by ear. That's still where I am today. Oh I've learned to play a little finger style and some small lead licks, and can occasionally figure out more complex rhythm, but most of you guys are good. I've never really had the time or desire for lessons, but I'd like for him to be far better than I am.
Any stories or suggestions?
Thanks,
West