I’m Brian, a 67 year old Scotsman: I’ve lived in Yorkshire for nearly forty years. I’ve played guitar for even longer - fifty years this year. I did some live mic playing round about Yorkshire at the turn of the millenium and did the same in Eugene, Oregon, in 2000. Not long after all that musical excitement I had a couple of prolonged periods of serious illness - music played a big part in my recovery.
Singer-songwriters are my favourite performers and I can play some of my favourite Leonard Cohen, John Denver and Mickey Newbury songs. I also enjoy most of John Renbourn and I can make a stab at some of his pieces. I write songs and like most people who’ve tried I hope to crack it - the magic chord change, the wonderful lyric - one day.
With Justin’s guidance - and the help of the Community - I am hoping to learn some new skills and un-learn my (many) bad habits. Since joining the site, I’ve been looking around to see all that’s available, dipping in to the many lessons and conversations. I feel very happy here.
Great that you’ve picked up your guitar again. Music really can help and I’m wishing the very best for your recovery
You’ve come to the perfect place here. I’m a complete beginner, but there’s lots of stuff for advanced and experienced players as well. The courses and song tutorials are great, very motivating and inspiring.
And with Justin’s guidance and the community’s help you’ll surely find that magic chord change and wonderful lyric very soon
Have lots of fun and success on your musical journey
Greetings Brian,
Sounds like you’re already well on the way with your guitar journey.
Justin’s lessons are fab, and there’s quite a community here, so hope this all helps you get even further
Why not take a look at the community Open Mic thread and see if that’s something you’d like to get involved with too
Cheers
Ruaridh
Welcome Brian. Even though you are an experienced player it might be worthwhile going through Justin’s course from the beginning to see if there are any gaps in your knowledge.
A hearty welcome from one Brian to another
Glad to see you on board and although I hope you find the site and Community helpful, with your track record you have the potential to be a great resource as well!
Look forward to following your journey
The very first of Justin’s lessons revealed gaps in my knowledge. I’m completely self taught on guitar. Some of it may be right, lots of it may be very wrong.
I had music lessons as a boy learning to play piano accordion, a very popular instrument in Scotland, so I can read music. I can’t sight-read to play and what little I knew about music theory is mostly forgotten and very unpracticed.
Even when I was very ill at home I always listened to music and played my guitar when I felt less unwell. Like a lot of older players I’ve probably not added to either my technique or repertoire as much as I could. I’m using Justin’s site to try new things, starting from the very beginning.
I’ve enjoyed visits to Germany and we hosted a German student in our home for several moths when she was improving her English. (or should that be Scottish given my accent!)
Amongst many gaps in my knowledge is how I’d be able to contribute to the Community. I don’t know how I’d attach any music to my messages. I’ve recorded some stuff via a mic plugged into my pc. After one of my most serious periods of illness I recorded a batch of my songs - I thought I was on my kick-the-bucket list!
Hi Brian,
If you’d like to share recordings you are making , then if you go into the community recordings bit of the forum and then click through to the most relevant section - most likely the one clunkily called Audio visual of you recording _ (unless it’s an original song or band effort -)
Then create new topic and in the box there’s an icon to attach file - can be a you tube, or vid from your pc or a simple audio file ,
I’m no expert on the tech side , but there’s plenty info and folks here who can help with that too
Hi Brian, welcome to the community. While I have always enjoyed listening to music of all genres it is only now (at 75) that I am understanding the benefits of playing music. All due to finding Justin’s course online and now being inspired by all of the contributions made by this community. Good health for 2024.
welcome Brian, be lovely to hear you sometime.