Same to you Roger! ![]()
It’s about “ seeing” values- light and shadow for portraits and music is “hearing/listening” for the different values or tones. ![]()
Definitely living proof of your quote. Took a couple of lessons when 17 but turned away from it however for years, always felt like there was a guitarist lurking somewhere within (albeit a comfortably basic one) so fast forward 4 decades, bought my first guitar this January, began watching Justin’s YouTube then bought his app and have been loving every minute since.
Enjoy
Isn’t it Tony! Portability was key in my decision. Looking forward to see what happens!
How do you like the Zagar? I’d run across them on Instagram and perused their website. They look like really nice guitars. Plus the backstory on Zagar guitars is interesting as well…
Beth, welcome to the community forum. It sounds like you are well on your way to learning to play the guitar. It sounds like you also have a good guitar to learn on. In addition to the song app, look at the website song lesson videos for some of the Grade 1 songs. Justin provides additional info on making the song sound better with rhythm suggestions. The notes are the colors, the chords are the color palette mixtures, but the rhythm is the drawing that provides framework and form for organizing the colors (notes). (I had some art background and couldn’t resist).
I will definitely look at those. I first found Justin’s lessons on YouTube so I kind of go back and forth. I also have found others on YouTube worth watching. I was able to read music not so long ago. So in order to get that skill back I am working on his fifth interval in ear training “ twinkle twinkle” and writing up the tab as I figure out how to play it and then will figure out the notes I am playing and write it up. Lucky I am retired!
Hi! I have had my Zager 80 OM since Feb 1st. I actually tried the 50 OM for a week (free trial and shipping ) and decided to upgrade as I thought this will be my one really good guitar. The artist in me wanted the extra abalone and the 80 woods ( cedar & rosewood) sound warmer and get warmer with age. The 50 is brighter and also beautiful and a very good price on sale ( as low as @$750). Though I knew very little about guitars I love the look and sound of mine.I watched many demos and reviews online as it is a pricey decision. I got a demo at a very good price and I ended up bringing it to a guitar tech because I found it not easy to play because the action was too high. He told me the neck was out of whack, and the strings way too high and he adjusted nut. Seems bridge is swelled around saddle (humidity) so couldn’t adjust but next restring he will. After the service and new strings It is great. Zager covered the set up because of what the tech wrote. So I am happy! just practicing chords and strumming it is lovely and I can’t wait to really play. Btw - guitar comes with hard case with humidity monitor inside, strap,capo, strings,picks and Denny’s library of 100’s of songs with his chords/melodic fingerpicking arrangements ! A comparable name brand would be much more I think. With all that said I am looking for an inexpensive carbon fiber I can take outside here in Florida. Have a happy day!
Beth, I wanted to add that if you go to the Justin Guitar website you can better select Grade 1 YouTube video lessons by selecting the song tab at the top of the screen, then selecting “Filter” on the left and selecting grade 1 song videos.
Welcome Beth! ![]()
All the best with your journey ![]()
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Hello and welcome to our community Beth. ![]()
Sounds like you’ve been at music in one form or another most of your life. I hope you enjoy your guitar adventure.
Hi Beth welcome. Enjoy learning to play the guitar. Now you have a proposed learning path that goes beyond the basics and an awesome teacher plus you already know something about music so hopefully you can go with the guitar beyond what you have been able to go with the piano. Hey and you can still play the piano whenever you feel to if you still have it.
Hi Beth and welcome. Wish you a smooth and a most enjoyable guitar journey. ![]()
Welcome! Great story. Glad you rediscovered the guitar. I also happen to be a piano player who was jealous of guitarists but who started and then quit guitar and restarted much later in life, wishing I’d known of a place like this! But hey, I sometimes things work out the way they do for a reason.
Welcome Beth! Great to have you here with us! ![]()
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@BecA Absolutely agree. Also the pacing - in terms of how structure and space are used, both from a drawing and musical point of view.
Both are languages that we can learn. Hope you’re enjoying it so far.
Hello Beth.
What an introduction… thanks for the little bit of bio. It seems you have led a creative life although your musical aspirations were stalled or frustrated several times. Music is a life long inspiration though so it’s great you have picked guitar up again. I wish you well as you learn.
Cheers
Richard
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What an inspiring story! It just goes to show that it’s never too late to learn something new. Your background in art, violin, and piano probably gives you a great foundation for developing musical skills, even if those experiences were years ago.
Congratulations on your Zager guitar as well—they’re known for their easy playability and comfortable setup, which can make a huge difference for beginners and returning players. Pairing that with Justin’s lessons sounds like a fantastic combination. It sounds like you’re approaching guitar the right way by focusing on chords, ear training, and theory.
Keep enjoying the journey, and don’t be surprised if one day you’re the person bringing a guitar everywhere and making music for others. Nice to meet you too, and best of luck with Beginner 2!
Hi Hysam, Thanks for the kind note. I have come a very long way since the initial intro. I found a great teacher online about a year later. Took lessons with him on zoom across the pond for a year studying mainly songs, fingerpicking, etc. I just found a guitar community online -structured learning - which is what I need now(masterclasses 2xmonth) with a fantastic classically trained teacher in my general area who explains theory in a way that makes sense to me. I focused on acoustic for 3 years and am now focusing on understanding the fretboard- CAGED, scales/triads/improv on my electric guitar. Paid for a monthly lesson 1yr in advance so I am committed to rockin that guitar by my 70th birthday! It is never too late to become what you might’ve been! (A quote by someone but can’t remember-lol). Good luck- don’t give up! Beth
Beth, that’s incredibly inspiring! It sounds like you’ve built a fantastic learning path and stayed committed every step of the way. I love your attitude about never being too late to learn and grow. The fact that you’re diving into CAGED, scales, triads, and improvisation now shows how far you’ve come. Wishing you all the best on your journey I have no doubt you’ll be rockin’ that guitar well before your 70th birthday!