Learn to play guitar  

Dreams can be dashed so easily. As an 8 year old I was told by my school music teacher that I could sing, had no talent and was to go sit down. To this day I think that was the crulest thing to say to a kid and it changed my life from that moment on.
It didn't just cause me to stop singing but it also caused me to stop participating in things because of the fear of rejection.
I spent my entire life thinking I had no musical talent but at age 47 a friend of mine brought an extra guitar to a party one night and insisted that I give it a try and I haven't looked back.
I am completely hooked now.
I can't sing much but I have lots of friends that will do the singing if I will do the strumming, so it works out great all way round.
I like a little bit country and light rock.
James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet, John Prine, just not anything ronchie or hard rock or too too much country.
After 6 years of playing I am now to the point that I can figure out some songs on my own and I have even tried to create a few songs on my own. I feel it is great practice to try and match my voice to each chord.
It's funny because most people look to me now for the chords if they get lost because I can be a bit of a perfectionist so I spend a lot of time memorizing chord charts.
I also stopped using books and sheets to play songs from, instead I commit them to memory.
In Feb. 2004 I had a heart attack that was in-operable and even now I can not do very much at all. I am getting better but it is a very long and slow process. I am sure I would have gone into a deep depression without my guitar. So I must say thanks to Gary, the friend that brought that extra guitar to the party that night.

I would say I have over a hundred songs I know now and many more I can follow along with.

Any one interested in playing acoustic guitar and what tips can you offer to help me improve?