A long time ago, I was a fairly good guitar player of the folksy, bluesy, bluegrassy sort. Then college, the army, grad school, and work got in the way. The poor instrument was put away, except for some brief and disappointing cameos, for about 30 years, until arthritis bit me really hard and I had to find something to keep my hands and fingers limber. I thought I could simply pick up where I left off and warm up with ‘Napoleon’s Retreat’: a disaster of epic proportions followed.
After much sturm, drang and angst, I finally realized that I was effectively a beginner again and had to reestablish everything from scratch. I researched some courses (Justin’s was very impressive) but it was Nitsuj that pushed me over the edge. A right-hand guitarist moving to the left hand faces the same problems that I did (and still do); knowing what to do but not being able to accomplish it. When Justin incorporated those insights into his lessons, I knew. Here is someone who is not only a good teacher, but truly “understands” how difficult the simplest things can sometimes be and why.
So I am finally content to be an advanced beginner, or beginning intermediate, and just follow the program. Once my brain got out of the way, I found I’m having a blast and having fun playing and jamming again. Think I’ll stick around and eventually get back into some jazz and maybe finally get to use ‘Napoleon’s Retreat’ as a warm up. Thanks Justin.
Welcome, John. Glad you found Justin and the Community. Many helpful folks here. Glad you’re enjoying yourself.
Hello John & Welcome!!!
I think you will find that this is a very caring Community with lots of “guitar maniacs” who are so helpful with the issues we all run into at times!
Regarding Nitsuj, what is so entertaining to me is when he’s attempting something that is so easy-peasy for him while playing right-handed only to find… “This is hard! I mean it’s *really hard *!!!
Good luck with guitar, take two!!!
Tod from New Mexico USA
Welcome John! Skills may fade, but wisdom tends to stick around I think. As a beginner, I’m looking forward to hearing from your insights, especially as you reconnect with the guitar!
Thanks judi. I’m 75, so a little bit of wisdom may be all I have left. Thing that really turned me on to Justin is his Nitsuj insights. Learning (or relearning) guitar is a process that involves the mind, the body, and the emotions. A teacher that understands, and still feels, all of those elements is priceless.
As a true beginner, all you have is desire and will. There is no map, no chart, no magic, no crystal ball to the future. But there is desire and will, and that is enough. Learn, play and jam; can’t stress that enough. You are not “bad”. You are simply less skilled. There are lots of ways one can contribute to a session without having to shine. So lay back, do what you can, and listen, learn, and above all, feel it. You are in the right place.
Ain’t no Heraclitus, but will always try to help when asked. Ciao.
Hi John,
Welcome to the community forum. 
Hi (again 
) John,
Welcome here and i wish you a lot of fun 
Greetings,Rogier
Welcome to the community, John! 
Wish you loads of fun on your re-entered guitar journey! 
Great story, I wish you the best of luck. Someone told me as you get older, the journey is the destination. Words to live by for me.
Hi John, welcome to the community forum. Glad you finally found the key to fun on the guitar. I started back as a beginner also, after 40 plus years as an on and off advancing beginner. I’m 69 and keep telling myself that I’ve still forgotten more guitar playing than I currently know, but I still have fun learning, even if it is learning something that I used to know.
Hello John.
Welcome to JustinGuitar and this fantastic community. Please take your time to look around and get to know the wider space.
https://community.justinguitar.com/categories
We are a supportive and encouraging group of students and guitarists from across the world. Essentially, we are all here for music and to improve as players. We truly are a ‘community’. Members help and support one another and a friendly, positive attitude underpins this. We hope that all - young or old, experienced or new players - adopt and foster the pay-it-forward ethos that Justin personifies and embedded all those years ago when he started the website and forum.
Also, please make sure to read the community etiquette announcement for some important information and guidance.
Richard