Originally Posted by: eugen.pfleiderer

Aloha!

What got me into the idea of trying to pick up the guitar again (after two fruitless efforts at earlier stages in my life) is a rather somber period I am experiencing at the moment. I moved away from my home town last year for business reasons and have quickly become aware that I terribly miss my home. Probably an odd experience to have in your mid thirties, but here I go... I am going to return back home early next year and until then, I felt the urge, to pick up a new hobby to keep myself occupied in the meantime. (And hopefully after that, too.)

So, I got together with two of my colleagues and we made plans to get together once a week so that I could teach them the language, as they're from overseas (I moved within the country) and they give me guitar lessons.

Together with their help and GuitarTricks.com, I want to achieve enough proficiency to be able to jam with friends and just maybe to become good enough to play some jazz standards and learn improvise a bit myself.

Somebody in a Youtube video providing guitar beginners with useful hints, thinks it worthwhile to pick a guitar hero you look up to and want to imitate. I don't know if Pat Metheny is the right role model for this (learning to cook you should probably set out to achieve your mom's skill level first, before aiming to rival Paul Bocuse) but since I so thoroughly enjoy his music and can't help but stand in awe at what he accomplishes on his instrument, I think he makes as good a model as any to guide my budding guitar aspirations. ;-)

Now, my guitar arrived five days ago, the novelty has not yet worn off and the calluses on my fingers are just starting grow, making my daily guitar practise less painful and more fun. I learned my first two chords (A major and D major) and am mostly struggling with rhythm exercises and getting my right hand to execute upstrokes that don't sound as if it wanted to snap all six strings. ;-)

My guitar is a Fender Standard Telecaster in Brown Sunburst that is just absolutely gorgeous in my opinion and plays and sounds great to my untrained hands and ears. :-)

Edit: For some reason, I seem to be unable to insert a picture.

Welcome. I think you're at the right place. Lots you can learn hear and the added bonus is that if you're looking to go the jazz route, there's some good stuff here. Chris Schlegel has some good jazz lesson and with some focus on Joe Pass (well worth learning). Also, he spends time on these boards so if you need a tip, good chance Chris will give you that extra mile too. Actually, all the instructors do great here.

I might add, nice guitar choice. I might be a little jealous of that Tele. I mean, I have some nice guitars but I am infected with Guitar Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) and a Tele is in my future someday. That said, despite my jealousy, great choice to start with. A good guitar helps you stay with it. You aren't fighting both the guitar and the trials of learning new stuff.

Good luck!