Justa Hello <again>

Hello, All,

My name is Tom, and I'm just writing to say a hale and hearty howdy to you all. Some of you may remember me, I was on the forum a couple of years ago, when I made a half-hearted attempt to learn to play my git-fiddles. Life got back, I put them away, but now I'm back, giving it another go.

I'm a pretty old guy, 44, who stays at home by day (my wife gets 3 months a year paid vacation, so I got to get the night job) taking care of and homeschooling our 3 kidlets (ages 6, 3 and 2), and at night I work in a Bank call center. This of course leaves me plenty of time for my practicing!!

As for my guitars, I have an acoustic Washburn, truly a beginner guitar but it has a nice sound to it. I also have Stagg's version of the Gibson SG knock-off with a truly beautiful mahogany wood grain finish. I must confess that I bought it mainly because I think it looks beautiful, but I will defend myself by saying that I like the sound too :-).

I'm back at square 1 right now, going through the Fundamental 1 course, as I have never been more than a VERY, VERY beginner, but what little I ever knew is coming back quicker than I thought it would. I'm proud to say that I think I mastered Jingle Bells in about 20 min! :-).

As for what I hope to do, I'm really not sure. I'd love to be able to play with the praise and worship band at my church one day, but I also LOVE finger picked accoustic, and am really fascinated with the whole idea of classical. Then there are some silly things, like I'd like to be able to play through the score of Jesus Christ Superstar some day (I just really like the guitar work on my CD), and would love to be able to jam a bit to some old Petra, as well as some of the 70's rock classics. I'm not sure where I'll go after finishing the Fundamental courses, not sure if I want to do blues or rock, as I really like both, but I'll add in a healthy smattering of accoustic and classical just to make sure that I don't practice any one thing enough to get good at it!!

I'm looking forward to beginning yet again this journey into learning how to play my guitars. Heck, my 6-year old is obsessed with music, I may actually try to teach him something someday, as long as I don't have to pay for another membership for him :-).

Well, it's obviously late, and I'm a bit silly, so I'll say bye for now! Look forward to meeting some of you on the forums!

Peace,
Tom

Hey Tom....
I say get your son involved while you are both doing the beginner level! Its amazing how quick they pick things up! Especially if he is showing an interest in music. Have him sit and do the lessons with you...good bonding time too!

Glad you picked up your guitars again...no matter how often you leave them...they will always be there when you get back. Have fun and see you around the boards!

Hi Tom

Pretty old guy at 44!! no way, you'll see there are lots of 'older' players here so age is not an issue. I agree with itsmesilly that you should get your son involved. I have video of my son playing my guitar at 8 or 9 just for fun and looking back I wonder why I never really put any effort into mine or his playing at the time. I suppose it was just 'other things' that took over our time. Now my son's a good player as he took it up when he was a teenager and I've only just got back into it. I'm hoping to emerge from my sons shadow some time :)

Welcome to the forum!

Hey Tom,
Good to see you back here. Learning to play is the best inspiration for your kids, you know they always imitate what the parents are doing and you're not old!! You're one year older than me so -take it back! :)

Hello, again, all!

Thank you for the replies, and the welcomes. I know, Slick, that there are lots of people older than I playing, I just feel pretty old for a beginner. If I'd kept up with it when I found that old electric guitar in seventh grade, I'd be a total guitar-wailing stud now!! Alas, I'll have to wait until I'm at least 45 before I'm that studly shredder :-).

Now a serious question. As I said, I'm considering using the lessons to get my son playing. My question is, what should I have him play? He has a small toy guitar, it has 6 strings and frets, but I tried to tune it, and the bottom string was seriously out of tune before I got the top string locked in. Then there are my guitars, my acoustic is just too big for him, and I'd be afraid to let him play with my electric on a regular basis. Any thoughts on what it may be good to get him? I could see him learning the truncated chords from the fundamentals one course (the ones with that just play the top 3 strings, and then showing him some simple songs with just those chords before moving on to melodies, taking it really slow and letting him have fun with it). But what should I have him play? do they have smaller guitars that stay in tune decently, sound decent, and don't cost an arm and a leg? I've been looking to get him into music, and this could be a great start. Who knows, maybe HE'LL be that shreddin' stud at 44 :-).

Thanks for your thoughts, all!

Peace,
Tom