My name is Bill, and I live in Canberra, Australia. You may have guessed that from the topic title
I’m 54yr, and I’m left-handed. I started learning to play right-handed many years ago, and after many failed attempts, I finally changed to a left-handed guitar. I wouldn’t say changing hands was the difference, but my expectations of how quickly I would learn changed. I took the attitude that we always overestimate what we can do in 1 year but underestimate what we can do in 5 years. I started playing again in December, and I have picked up the guitar almost every day. I started just teaching myself from content on the web, and then engaged a teacher about 5 months ago. I like using both. The web gives me freedom to explore, and the teacher gives me focus.
I mainly play an American Pro Fender Stratocaster, but I also have a Cordoba classical that I like to try fingerpicking on. I’m now looking at getting a steel string acoustic, and although I’m tall, I think I prefer the smaller parlour guitars. Maybe it will be a Xmas present.
My music preferences are quite varied. I started learning some Paul Kelly and Credence Clearwater Revival, progressed to The Kinks (Lola) and a few more country style tunes (Tenessee Whisky, etc). More recently, it’s been Jimmy Hendrix (Hey Joe) and Pink Floyd (Wish you were here).
I’ve been using Justin Guitar for about a week and started at Grade 2. It feels about right. There are some things that are quite easy, but it is good to cover other things I haven’t spent much time on.
I’d love to find other local muso’s of a similar level to try a little jam session with, so please reach out if you are in the area.
Cheers, everyone, I’m looking forward to chatting more.
I also came to Justin with a bit of guitar playing knowledge & initially started in Grade 2… so many newcomers to the Community were encouraged to start at Lesson 1 & just kind of cruise through if there wasn’t a reason to practice the content… I decided to go that route also & am so glad I did!!!
There were quite a few nuggets of information that were new to me, I found a few (ok, several!) bad habits that I am STILL trying to break, & played quite a few riffs & songs that I hadn’t even thought of playing before!!!
You see where this is going, right?
al capo!!!
Go to the beginning and at least watch each video… I think you will find those little tidbits of vital information that you don’t even realize you don’t know!!!
Ok - got THAT off my chest!!! Down off the soapbox…
I hope you have a load of fun playing your guitar & learning!!!
I am left handed and picked up my daughters guitar and started but unfortunatly it is right handed, it stuck. I have been at it for about 10 months in the Arizona Desert.
I have not stalled, we will all charge forward togeather.
Hi Bill, a warm welcome to the community!
Justin’s courses are a great tool to get a really solid foundation of skills! There’s so much to discover on the website.
Following the course outline and skipping the parts which you are already proficient in is a good approach, I guess more experienced players still can get bits and pieces out of it.
This community is a nice place to discuss, to get information, to stay motivated, to post videos of your playing and get feedback and to find like minded people
Have lots of fun on your way!
I’d second the suggestions made by Tod and Andrea to at least check the content of Grade 1. There’s lots of valuable information in those vids to extract, even if you have some experience and guitar background (holds true for me when I was starting over few years ago).
But most importantly: Wish you loads of fun on your guitar journey!
I’d also like to agree with suggestions to check out all the videos from Grade1 even if you’re not an absolute beginner. I’m so glad I did too! There’s so much great information in them.
yes! me too!
But whichever way you decide to go, you are in a great place for learning with Justin and this community is helpful and supportive too
Most importantly, have fun
Great stuff Bill. Plenty of Aussies here. I started at the age of 53 and now 13 years later can say it’s been one of the best things I’ve done. The reward of being able to pick up a guitar now at will and play a tune are just fantastic. Look forward to hearing more from you
Hello Bill.
You do right to go back to beginner grades to ensure good habits, correct technique, reminders about things forgotten perhaps and filling gaps.
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.
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yes! me too! 
