Letter to a Beginning Guitarist

Dear friend,

To learn how to play guitar will take about two years if you practice 30 minutes to 2 hours for 4-6 days a week minimum ...and at this point you'll still be at the beginner level. Beyond two years there is so much more you can learn. By this time you can certainly master many chord positions and scales, but executing them with fluidity is where the hard work comes in. Then, it's not enough to have fluidity with chord progressions, scales, etc.. One should strive to explore their musical individuality and push themselves to create. And don't wait on inspiration. You can spend the rest of your life waiting on inspiration.

Music is 90% work and 10% inspiration. However, you'll find that when you push yourself to play, you'll then get into ''the zone''. This is where true creativity begins to show itself. It's okay to take short breaks in your playing (but not during the first 2 years!)...as this is also part of the music. You'll find that when you come back to your instrument you'll have fresh new ideas.

Create from the perspective of human experience and social interaction. Have courage, explore and express your innermost ideals through your playing.