Please allow me to introduce myself - sorry, I had to borrow that line! I started playing guitar in high school, just some basic chords and then I switched to bass guitar and had some fun recording songs with a friend of mine on guitar - no drums, no metronome, no skills, so you can imagine the quality, but it was so much fun! Then my guitar was just collecting dust for many years.
Over a year ago I bought an electric guitar (I am 38 now) and started Justin guitar courses, downloaded the app and also started taking private lessons in my town with a professional guitar teacher. I am currently at grade 3 of the course and my next steps are to upload recordings of myself as this will force me to practice the songs perfectly and then to find some friends to play with (if there is anyone from Bratislava, Slovakia, drop me a line please), perhaps do some street playing to practice playing in front of people.
I would like to do my own music, as it was so much fun when I was younger. I like (almost) all kinds of music, I dont have the aspiration to play jazz (I will never reach that level), but anything melodic – rock, punk rock, surf rock, funk, even some hiphop and since I am following the Justin guitar course, I even enjoy some blues that I never thought I would do.
Looking forward to meeting new people here and having fun.
Oh and I also like to fiddle with stuff so I might upload a video of me upgrading/painting my guitar in the future.
Hi Oliver,
Warmest greetings from Warsaw, Poland. Looks like we have a lot in common, see:
My story, exactly, it’s just that it began before you were born (no disrespect!), as I’m 72 now… At the time when I started playing we had no access to good literature or any other source of information, not to mention instruments. If someone happened to own a Jolana (I’m sure the name sounds familiar to you), he was a king… And usually those were professional musicians.
Anyway, nothing could discourage me from playing, but only in my, well, let’s say, matured age did I make a real progress.
Great that you’d like to make your own music, that’s something most satisfactory, another thing we have in common.
Anyway, nice to have you here, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed as this is a great community. Have fun!
Cool introduction. Funk and surf guitar that’s a sick combo. Add a little punk and some reggae to thw mix and you are right up my alley. Good just getting starting again. I am glad you found your way to the community.
I came across the surf guitar genre through a setup in my AMP - the Fender Mustang LT25 has a surf rock setting and since I like surfing I explored it further and I found out the whole Pulp Fiction soundtrack is basically surf guitar (I might post a video of me playing “Surf Rider” by The Lively Ones later on), the “James Bond theme” is surf guitar and the theme of “the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” is basically surf guitar as well… all great music to learn (although I guess its not “proper” surf guitar for the true enthusiasts).
Hi Coda (Tomasz?), thank you for the welcome. The community seems very nice, I hope to be supportive for others as well Of course I know the brand Jolana, but I have never played it. I think it is really crucial to find someone to play, practice and learn from to make progress and have fun while doing so.
Hello Oliver.
Welcome to JustinGuitar and this fantastic community. Please take your time to look around and get to know the wider space. View by 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.
If you want to record yourself to show your progress and / or seek feedback there is our ever popular Community Recordings section.
Behind the scenes there is a small and dedicated team who work to make the JustinGuitar experience as good as it can be. Check out the Onboarding sessions provided by Fanny. Justin also has a small group of Approved Teachers he recommends for people wanting 1-to-1 lessons to supplement his courses.
That is plenty to be going on with. It is a vast community space so if you need help as you find your way around just ask.
Cheers. Richard
| Approved Teacher, Official Guide & Community Moderator |
Hello Oliver, and welcome! Sorry, but I live too far away to commute for a jam. Do post some pics of your guitar work though, and also of your playing. Would love to see and hear it all.
Welcome aboard, Oliver!
Wish you lots of fun!
If you don’t find musicians around your place to make music together, you will find them here.
Ok, it’s not being “live” together, but fun anyway.
Of course I know the brand Jolana, but I have never played it. I think it is really crucial to find someone to play, practice and learn from to make progress and have fun while doing so.