I started playing when I was eight. Got taken to an Eric Clapton concert, and wanted to be a rock star :D . My folks sent me for guitar lessons, but they turned out to be classical - not what I had in mind. I took the classical lessons until I was 12, but never really applied myself. I ended up fairly OK though - knew some chords and was OK at fingerstyle, but it bored me.

I stopped playing until I was 15, at which point I went electric. Lessons again with a jazz guy for a couple of years, then I went to Uni and played in bands in my free time.

Now (at 29) I teach others, play the occaisional session and the even more occaisional gig. I'm about 50/50 on earnings now between my regular job and music. I practice about 2 hours per day but I think I'm pretty much where I want to be. Agree with the others, it's about what you practice - I like to think I'm pretty handy, and about half an hour a day is all it takes to keep my dexterity up. I do notice the drop in ability if I take time off though. Maybe it's all in my head.

The only significant thing left for me is to develop a random skill, such as tapping with a thimble, playing a double neck with both hands etc... best idea I had was to play slide with my weiner, but I'm not sure if I'd make it through a gig! :eek: