Hey everyone! My name is Chris and I used to describe myself as a “guitar owner” in terms of music.
I owned a classical guitar for a while, but never really learned to play it. Then I got inspired by people around me and bought a Yamaha Pacifica 112v a while back and started to learn a bit, mostly by playing RockSmith. But I never got anywhere with that.
In the mean time I have a family and kids and I’m a lot more conscious with my time, especially alone time. So here’s my approach to learning guitar this time around: at least 5 minutes a day of practice, every day. I’ve been doing this for two weeks and it’s going great. It’s really easy to find 5 minutes to practice some chords, but sometimes I’m enjoying it so much that I play for 30+ minutes.
What also works great for me is having the guitar right next to my desk, so I can pick it up and play it just like that, no effort involved.
In terms of gear: I used to use my lovely Blackstar Fly Mini amp and play into headphones but I find that cables, buttons, batteries etc. are adding extra steps which take me away from playing the guitar. So I prefer either playing unplugged if it’s a short session or into a Fender Mustang Mini, which is such a wonderful practice amp. Keeping it minimal works great for me, I try to avoid GAS (which I know from other hobbies, like photography). I can already see myself not buying any pedals ever, but going with a multi effect pedal like the Valeton GP200. Anything to keep things as simple as possible without limiting myself.
As for the guitar, I love my Pacifica. It feels great to play, I like how it looks and I have a strong urge to keep playing it for as long as I can.
The five-minute thing often works that way for me, too! It’s a great way to trick myself into getting involved for more time than I might otherwise feel able to. Same with having the guitar easily accessible.
Welcome Chris yeah that feeling of “oh I’ve got five minutes, let me just have a little dabble at that thing I’m practicing” , more often than not turns into a 30min to 1hr session have fun learning, they’re a lovely bunch here and I’m sure you’ll enjoy being part of the community Lee
Morning Chris. Welcome. I also started on a 112v and still play it a lot. Similar to you, I always have my guitar to hand so I can noodle when I’m working or crashed out in front of the TV.
Welcome Chris. As you say just being able to pick up the guitar and have a play is well worth it. Sometimes, I don’t even plug into an amp, I just play it and listen to the strings.
Chris, welcome to the community forum. Glad you found a guitar that makes you want to play and that you play a little every day. If you play what you love and love what you are playing you are on your way to a lifetime of joy with the guitar. Good luck with your playing.
Hope you’ll be having loads of fun learning new stuff.
You’re in good company here and as you, I keep my guitar next to my desk so I can grab it in between, whenever it is possible or I feel the urge to take a break and play a little.
Thank you all! What a warm welcome. I’m really enjoying the “at least 5 minutes a day” routine and hope to keep it going. Yesterday my kids joined in on Ukulele and air guitar respectively and it was great fun!
I thought RockSmith was good in terms of getting to practice specific songs, but I’d rather pick it up as an intermediate player and get the basics sorted first.
yeah that feeling of “oh I’ve got five minutes, let me just have a little dabble at that thing I’m practicing” , more often than not turns into a 30min to 1hr session 
have fun learning, they’re a lovely bunch here and I’m sure you’ll enjoy being part of the community 
Lee
All the best with your journey 