How to stick to guitar when there's so much else to learn and do?

[TRJ]

@brianlarsen

“Your hands are like dogs,” he says, “going to the same places they’ve been. You have to be careful when playing is no longer in the mind but in the fingers, going to happy places.

Absolutely love that quote.

[TRJ]

@SkyBlue

whilst guitar is harder to start but gets easier later (I also agree to it, as now in grade 3 I finally feel guitar isn’t anymore mental/physical struggle)

Lucky you! Pehaps you should look at fingerstyle more, and playing bass lines and melody lines separately.Plenty difficult there.

There are many multi instrumentalists though, and nothing wrong with knowing more than one instrument. It does make it more difficult to get really good at a single instrument.

@SkyBlue

I can afford 2 hours of practice a day

That is already more than many can afford! I guess a lot is about how you practice, how much you learn. If you have a plan, you can follow it.

@SkyBlue

I am already learning one new instrument for few months now, which is harmonica.

Good choice!

[jkahn]

@Jamolay

When I am at Tom Waits level, all rails are off, though.

I don’t think Tom Waits has ever been seen as a virtuoso guitarist? So reaching his level is achievable.

Definitely a master songwriter, though.

[Jamolay]

That guy has more talent in his blistered ring finger.

[CT]

How to stick to guitar?

Lots of options:

• Glue
• Dbl-stick tape
• Gum
• Honey (Maple Syrup as well I suppose)

[SkyBlue]

Haha, TOP ANSWER

[murphybridget]

@SkyBlue

The problem is that I worry I’d end up again just changing from one instrument to another and actually never master any. Jack of all trades, master of none thing. With usually chores and obligations of adult life I’m unsure I’d ever reach anything near mastery of guitar, let alone more instruments. I know I’m not old, and the usual trope “You’re never too old”, but I’m not any younger and if I play 30 more years to my mid 60es I’d like to be proficient at least in one instrument. It’s just a hobby and I do not intend on joining band and be next superstar, but I’d really love to be proficient and compose my own songs. If life lasts 1000 years, I’d have no issue jumping from guitar, to piano, to violins… I just don’t have enough time. On best of days I can afford 2 hours of practice a day. I can already feel that after meddling bit with piano, I’d like to try violin, than bagpipes… The amount of choice often makes me feel miserable (not only with instruments, but that’s not the topic). So perhaps my question would be:

It’s about the joy in the process rather than mastering several instruments.