Comments on: Why I Quit Playing Guitar

By: GuitarChallenges

GuitarChallenges — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:50:52 +0000

Wow I really can’t imagine feeling like this! Hope this will never happen to me!
GuitarChallenges recently posted: The perfect practice routine

By: Amuro Wesley

Amuro Wesley — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:06:17 +0000

Thanks for providing me such valuable info about guitars. I have been a guitar fan and player myself. Will check out more myself.

By: JC from learn to guitar

JC from learn to guitar — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 01:21:02 +0000

Thanks for the excellent post and the motivation to keep going. I’ve always struggled with my guitar playing and one of the main reasons is because I haven’t stuck with it!

It’s too easy to compare yourself with those who are/were gifted and come up second best. As you say it’s all about creating in your own way.
JC from learn to guitar recently posted: Learn How to Play Guitar

By: SuperDestroyer

SuperDestroyer — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:26:03 +0000

Eddie Van Halen was asked who is the greatest guitar player ever and he answered, Allan Holdsworth. Jimi Hendrix was asked what’s it like to be the greatest guitar player in the world and he answered, why don’t you ask Julian Bream? It doesn’t matter how great or influential a guitarist is there are always ten guys who are better. Many times I’ve met guitarists and suggested we get together and jam when they replied no because they hate to play with someone better than they are. What bull! Unless someone just picked up the instrument for the first time a week ago I can probably learn something from them. Thanks for reminding us to ignore the competition and just play for fun!
SuperDestroyer recently posted: An Inspiration- Look- See…

By: Daniel Fretland

Daniel Fretland — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:28:49 +0000

..It’s not about being a great player, it’s about playing guitar simply because I loved to play guitar!..

Josh you’ve written candidly about a sore-spot topic for many guitarists, a large number of whom did not make it past that hard phase. It one of the toughest battles for a guitar player, in fact any artist: aspiration vs. enjoyment. And it’s not an easy balance.

On the other hand I have met players who have higher aspirations but pretend to be satisfied with their current skill-level. This is nearly as bad as putting down the guitar since that type of player’s focus is constantly on lackage, rather than enjoyment.

The bottom line, I think, is that sometimes fun itself has to be learned.
Daniel Fretland recently posted: Be Yourself

By: Bugra Han

Bugra Han — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:21:06 +0000

Dear Josh,
I have the exact same problem you have. If i start something i want to be the best at that, its perhaps an ego issue i really dont know, everything i like turns into a race to be the best.
Im buying a guitar tommorow, i have set everything…
But here is my problem, everyone around me including close friends and family say im going to quit.. I really want to start the path of the guitar but now im having 2nd thoughts, being discouraged asking myself what if i quit :<
After reading this i got my courage back again i will buy it no matter what and remind myself of this post of yours if i ever wish to quit.

Thanks sincerely for sharing your life exprience here

Rock on )

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:43:28 +0000

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my guitar teacher once. I think he was trying to build my confidence some, while still keeping me grounded, and trying to encourage me to get out and play other than my dorm room. “There are plenty of guitars, who are making lots of money at it, that you’re way better than! Of course, there are also lots of guitarists that totally blow you out of the water.” I lamented to him, “Yeah, but the problem is I pretty much only ever listen to the ones in the latter group.”

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:06:29 +0000

Anna, you are most welcome. I still struggle with it a lot; feeling like I’ll never be as good as I would like. But, it’s about the “now” and not about the “maybe someday.” Just keep remembering that and play/practice because you love to play.

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:45:32 +0000

Josh,

I came across your post my chance while surfing the internet. I am a violinist. I am in the hitting my head against the wall phase where I can’t make myself practice because I will “never bee good enough”. Your insight that music is supposed to be fun is a nice reminder. Here’s to making music fun again. Thank you for putting your experiences out there for others to find.

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 04 May 2010 12:10:48 +0000

hahahaha, it’s okay. You’ll be alright. Just flip it around in your head and use it for inspiration instead of frustration.

(But I know exactly what you mean. )