How Does One Know When...???

[MikeGee]

I am THE ultimate patzer (chess speak for beginner).  Heck, I'm not even at beginner level, but two stories below that... more like the "sub-basement".  No one here can possibly be beneath me musically-speaking.  I am lacking in every possible musical aspect to even dare post here.

I'm 46 and don't have as much time as I'd like to to learn how to play good and be my best.

BUT, I am on the path to learning, I enjoy practicing, and I feel blessed that I have discovered music.  AND as little as I have to offer, I give my all.

I'll take that, and run along the path the Lord has laid in front of me with it.

everyone here was once or maybe even twice where you are now. nothing wrong with that. congrats on you new venture.

Not telling you this story cuz I believe this is your case. Just telling you a story.

I bought my best friend an acoustic electric guitar for father's day about 3 years ago. He told me he does not have time to play/learn it.

I scratched my head, I found it a bit odd that you are telling me about a sitcom you were watching last night but have no time to learn your guitar..... I shrugged my shoulders and continued to discuss the sitcom.

[Asahel]

>>>I bought my best friend an acoustic electric guitar for father's day about 3 years ago. He told me he does not have time to play/learn it.

I scratched my head, I found it a bit odd that you are telling me about a sitcom you were watching last night but have no time to learn your guitar..... I shrugged my shoulders and continued to discuss the sitcom.<<<

LOL!  This is so true.  Thx for sharing!

[SavnBass]

When I started playing again in 01 after a long layoff.. I had to start all over again. I did know the strings and notes.. but even before that I confined my playing to the 7th fret & below for the most part.. My playing really started to get better when I got a 5 string around 04... What that did was open up the palette.. if that makes any sense.. Being able to go below E opened up a lot more stuff for me to play the way I heard it... or at least try to. I still consider myself a moderately average player.. depending on what the music is.. I know my musical limitations (physically and intellectually) ... and I try to stretch as far past my limits as I can and still sound good.. I stopped comparing myself to others or judging the playing of others a long time ago and try to glean whatever I can get from anyone.... I have heard some folks here that were quite impressive.. some kids that blew me away.. and I have seen some old dogs in my day that make it look easy.. I am just grateful that I can make that sound that I like at my leisure and that I have been blessed with the opportunities and the desire to still do it.

[hands5]

I've been playing well over 35 years now and still consider myself to be an intermediate player! At my age, I just don't have the time or energy to really further my skills beyond what they are. I'm good enough to play all my gigs with no problems and I'm satisfied with that.

I've felt this way for a long time. I play the what the gig calls for,get paid and then go home