A warm hello from the greater Cologne area in Germany 
My first contact with the guitar was in high school, some 45 years ago. Until my teacher suggested I should play an instrument that doesn‘t require singing. End of career.
Now, being retired, I gave it a new try 3.5 years ago. I searched the internet for advice and ran across Justin. I like his style and enjoy the wealth of the website. Looking forward to stay in touch with you guys.
Thomas
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Welcome Thomas!!! Great that you’re here! This is a very good, inviting and supportive Community! Did you just recently start with Justin or have you been following him for a while? I’m one of those 60 year old “endless beginners” who after discovering Justin on YouTube, have finally started to actually progress for the first time! (Finishing up Grade 2 & Consolidating).
Good luck with the musical journey!
Tod from the USA
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Hi Tod, I found Justin about a year ago as the website was mentioned in a forum somewhere. At that time I was already busy learning from various teachers and put Justin on stand-by for later, which is now! I really appreciate learning the same topics from various teachers as there is always something new to me, something I did´t understand or realize earlier.
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That’s cool! What I am liking about Justin’s method is the feeling of being in the room with him and his caring attitude! I’ve been struggling with learning guitar off & on for years & not have a cohesive grasp of making music… Justin is helping me to “put it all together” with his focus on fundamentals & playing songs without demanding that I learn every scale in multiple keys… I hope you find his approach equally amenable!!!
Tod
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Hi Thomas,
Welcome here and
I wish you a lot of fun 
Greetings,Rogier
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Hello Thomas 
A very warm welcome from another German (from Dortmund).
Congratulations for picking up your guitar again - despite the unpleasant experience with your teacher many years ago.
You’ve come to the perfect place here, and I’m sure you will have lots of fun and make progress very soon and fast.
Justin is an awesome teacher, very caring and motivating, and the courses are well-structured, effective and comprehensive. Not to forget the community here with so many friendly and helpful peolpe.
I’m a newbie, too, and enjoy each and every minute on the website and in the forum.
Have lots of fun on your musical journey! 
Cheers
Gunhild 
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Hi Thomas,
Like yourself, I’m new to JustinGuitar. I had a similar experience with learning to play the piano some 35 years ago. Now, I’m attempting to learn the guitar but I don’t plan on singing while I strum.
As for JustinGuitar, I love his friendly, stress-free approach. I’ve just started but felt his lessons to be very motivating and he seems like a guy I’d have a drink or two with. The same goes for the community, too. @Catman62 and @roger_holland have gone out of their way to welcome me, along with several others who have added some encouraging advice. So, I hope you enjoy your time here… and can sing and play your heart out without fear.
Joe
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Welcome Thomas!
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Hi Thomas nothing but wishing you all the success in the world with your journey!
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Welcome to the forum Thomas
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Hi Thomas, welcome to the community from another German!
Can’t believe that! What kind teacher was that? Happy, you picked up your guitar again and that you are having fun now. Enjoy!
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Hi Thomas,
welcome to the community! Glad you found this place and stepped into the community. You won’t regret it, it’s a very positive and supportive bunch of folks here. 
Wish you loads of fun with your guitar!
Grüße aus der Nähe FFM - Lisa 
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Hello Thomas,
I had a similar experience as well. Not exactly the same but quite as soul crushing. Born and raised in east germany; when I tried to pick up the guitar as a minor there was no open place. Because you know that was a thing, everything was planned. So they gave me a mandolin.
Yes, I could’ve learned the basics and music theory on it but hey, i was 9 or 10. I wanted to play guitar! So I quickly gave up on it and never returned to it until recently and now I wake up every morning with my fingers completely stiff from playing to much. 
Welcome aboard!
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Hallo Thomas, wie schön, dass du zu uns gefunden hast 
!
I feel very sorry for your discouraging experience with your teacher.
But I’m so happy for you that you restarted your guitar journey .
I wish you loads of fun with your six-string-friend and look forward to hearing more from you !
Nicole from Austria
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Welcome Thomas and welcome to the community
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Welcome, Thomas. Who cares what your teacher said, how many rock stars are “professions” singers? Mostly none of them. If you like to sing while you play, I say go for it!
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Great stuff Thomas. Everyone can learn to sing and play, never listen to such teachers.
My family is originally from Germany, I had the pleasure of visiting Germany finally in 2007 after hearing my parents often talk about the “old country”.
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Hi Thomas,
I too had far from encouraging experiences over my musical and singing abilities during my school years.
Pleased to hear that you have discovered JustinGuitar and have resumed your guitar journey after so long. Good luck, I hope you have as much fun learning as I am.
Best wishes,
Alan
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Out of curiosity, what were the instruments that do not require singing according to the teacher ?
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He didn‘t point that out as far as I remember. Perhaps Harp or Sax!?
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