How long did it take you to learn how to play the guitar?  

Hey, how's it going WebMann?

Jams ARE a great way to learn...especially from You Tube.
As a matter of fact, I signed up to a couple of accounts on my PC, where I receive free daily email lessons from experts. Sometimes these include tabulation, pentatonic scales, riffs and/or licks. Sometimes I play back to my favorite Mp3 or WAVE tunes to get the right "feel", to build up my speed...and hopefully...be able to hit the correct notes. This I find helps me learn the fretboard. I've also downloaded a great program that lets me select the position of ANY chord or scale on an easy to read, virtual fretboard. Actually, I think I'd be lost without it.

You're also correct in the fact, that one should practice every day, even if it's just for 20 minutes at a time.

Good luck with your guitar buddies...and yes, I do know what you mean about going bananas. Weird how we get so attached to our instruments, huh?

Cheers;
cdrxo

WOW, Jimi Hendrix and Mark Knofler...that's amazing. You couldn't have picked any better. Even with a semi acoustic, that must sound pretty cool. Thank goodness you've learned to appreciate GOOD music...rock 'n roll at it's best.
If you like Hendrix, then you'll love Carlos Santana. Now THERE'S a guy who can REALLY make a guitar sing! Kinks and CCR are also good to play back to/learn from, as well.

Keep up the good work dude!
cdrxo

Cool.
Yeah your right, you never stop learning.
As far as NI is concerned, I use Bandstand as my MIDI playback plug-in to Cubase.
The sounds are NOT mechanically reproduced, but are VIRTUAL instruments. Gotta love it man.

Me too, I love Soul and them crazy Blues. I've found that you can create some pretty cool licks, just by using the Am pentatonic scale alone.

Cheers;
cdrxo

Playing the nylon strings as a novice finger picker is a lot of fun. Learning scales is helping me to become a solo player. Finding the right progressions and arpeggios for the change ups is priceless. Finding the rift that's never been played, maybe its impossible. That's my goal. Think Frank Zappa, genious.

That's too bad.
Say, if you still have that guitar, and it's still in pretty good shape, why not go for it again mate? If you don't have that guitar, you can purchase a new one these days for very little money.

There's a whole new world out there waiting for ya...and you'll be surprised (as much as I was) just how much you really DO remember.

Cheers;
cdrxo

Ah c'mon dad...gotta get in there and jam with 'em.

That's great that they started at the age that they did.
Just think of where they'll be, by the time they're your age!
Who knows, you could all millionaires by then?
;-)

Cheers;
cdrxo

True enough.
Well said.

There's ALWAYS something else you can learn, no matter HOW much you already know.

Cheers;
cdrxo

You're never too old to learn how to play, as long as you're determined to learn.
What's that you used to always say to me?
"You can do anything you put your mind to."
Sound familiar?

Go for it girl!

Cheers;
cdrxo

Good for you. Don't stop.

Actually, when I first stared out, I was more into the Folk-Rock music, so I would only use an acoustic. I just love that full tonal openness, and the fact that you can take the instrument anywhere, and just simply play it without having to plug it in.

Cheers;
cdrxo

Hey, you can always go back to it, and try your "hand at it" again.
;-)
But yeah, even I still get blown away, and a little envious too at times, when I hear...or watch...someone playing amazing sounds, when it seems like they're doing it at the "speed of light".

Cheers;
cdrxo

Oooooh! Nice axe Angela. Tell me, what's it like to be so spoiled? ;-)
(just kidding) Obviously your parents love you very much.

It's a shame though, that you gave it up...but as with anything else...it's a learning curve, and just takes time.

You know, when I first started, I couldn't form my fingers around the fret-board to make any sense out of any chord or note sound either. You see, my hands and fingers weren't/aren't very big. This was one of the reasons why I chose to buy an electric. The fret-board's not as wide...and is just perfect for my little hand. Mind you, I still love the sounds of an acoustic, and still plan to purchase one. I just have to find one that will fit my hand! Being older now, and with the way things are being manufactured these days, I doubt I'll have a problem in that regard.

If you're still interested in learning, why not contact your cousin, and have him give you lessons? Just think of the reunion that you and that ESP Explorer will experience. Who knows...maybe when you get fairly good at it, you'll be begging your cousin to give it back?!!! Heeheehee ;-)

Cheers;
cdrxo