Originally posted by James
Well this is open discussion, and since I've posted next to nothing about my personal life since I started here, I thought I'd give a little now.

I broke up with my girlfriend of 16 months tonight. Well... 9 months. Before that we were just good friends. It was a mutual decision that we made because there had been a lot of problems the past while. It hurts. I thought I'd tell you guys for two reasons, 1) As fellow guitarists I'm interested in hearing how the instrument helps you through tough times, and 2) well to be honest I don't have anyone I can tell about it right now and typing seems to help.

Thank god I have a passion for something that can provide some sort of relief from this bs. How do you guys feel the guitar helps you out emotionally?

Oh and btw... what do you think is the better type of music to play when you're sad- blues, or a dreary minor-based peice. I'm going with the minor-based...

I know how you feel James, and it's never easy. To say that we can all submerge ourselves in the guitar when something like this happens, well that's sugarcoating it if you ask me. However, the guitar does bring us much relief in times like this. Because it's great coordination, where we are workng both hands at the same time, and the only thing we are focusing on is finishing that composition, or nailing tha final part in a guitar solo.

Playing the guitar has always been a great form of therapy for me, but it doesn't solve all of our problems. The thing is, with relationships, if you don't understand why things ended between you and your woman, your future relationships will suffer as a result. You have to find a way to maintain a friendship with this girl to try and understand why things didn't work out, and so there will be no hard feelings on b0th sides.

James, anyone who ever said being in a good relationship was easy has obviously never been in a good relationship. The hardest thing after a break up is trying to stay close friends, but it's the only way to heal your soul. You have to stare this right down the barrell, and then you'll once again be able to feel confident with your music and towards the future.

Like I said, break ups are a bitch. But we all survive one way or another!

-Joseph