First Anniversary on Guitar!

Yay! I've just reached my first year of guitar, and it's been a blast. I started playing one year ago this week with a purchase of a Mex fender and the simple goal of learning a single song to play the wife. One year later I have the Fender, a Les Paul, and 2 acoustics, I can play about 10 songs well and a few others adequately and I have a great knowledge of music theory.

I can't believe how addictive this has become. It's alot of fun too, but nothing beats working on a new song for weeks and then being able to play it well for others. Over the past year I've put in at least 2 hours every day, and can only think of a handful of days I had to skip it. It was a big commitment, but sitting here now I can say it was worth it.

The only thing I would have done different if I could go back to start, is to limit the theory and increase the songs. At one point I was working through 3 books on theory and going through all the guitar fundamentals videos on this site. Left me with alot of knowledge, but I could not play many regular songs. (heck of alot of short progressions though) The last month or so I realized this and I've put away a couple of the books and am studying full songs more.

Its been a fun year and I can't wait to see where I will be in another year. This website has helped alot. Best advice I would have for others starting out is to set time aside every day to practice, never be happy with your current level, and remember to have fun!

Happy anniversary, dude!
I've only been playing for 2 months, but I can play about 6-8 songs!

Keep on rockin' out!

Thanks!
Like I said, I spent way to much time on theory. I can play all kinds of things on my guitar, progressions, three chord stuff, and the like, but only about 10 or so full songs at a performance level. ( songs with full intro, middle riff, turnarounds and proper endings from memory )

I started at nothing, zip. No musical knowledge or ability whatsoever. Heck the first three months were all about basics, and learning one single song ( Clapton's Wonderful tonight ) and nothing else.

I've hooked up with an instructor now and am looking forward to learning all kinds of songs!

grats! :D you're doing way better than me after seven years lol, can you spare the discipline I lack? I wonder what your 2nd year will be like :)

Originally Posted by: AmazingCorbinYay! I've just reached my first year of guitar ...[/quote]
Congrats!

You make a great point about making sure to apply the theory you learn. I encourage students to attempt to keep their theory knowledge & playing ability at the same level & learning pace. Theory (concepts) that you cannot actually put into practice has little or no value.
[QUOTE=AmazingCorbin]Best advice I would have for others starting out is to set time aside every day to practice, never be happy with your current level, and remember to have fun!

Right on.

Practice, never stop learning, have fun. The recipe for success. Good for you. :) Here's to many more years of the same.