CBR: Shelf Life - May 5, 2011

[CBR News]

This week, Ron buys a guitar with the intent of learning how to play it and encourages others to stop thinking about taking on a new challenge and simply knuckle down and [em]do[/em] it.


Full article here.

[citizentim]

That's awesome, Ron! You picked a great starter guitar as well-- I'm a big fan of the Epiphone line, and although it doesn't matter: The color is gorgeous! I love it when you can see the wood grain through the finish.

The great part about starting to play guitar is that within a week, you'll be better than you were. Within learning a few chords, you'll go from being a guy that CAN'T play guitar, to a guy who plays guitar...maybe not so well, but hey: a week ago you COULDN'T play it!

It's an incredibly fun and rewarding instrument-- great for writers as well, I don't know how many times I've gotten stuck on a page, and decided to strum out a few chords to blow off steam, only to find my answer in the middle of an awesome jam going on in my head.

Also, wait'll you have a long practice session and then return to your keyboard-- suddenly noting the weight and feel of your own typing.

Kudos, sir! Glad to have you joining the ranks of the six-stringers! Sounds like you've got some great in-house teachers as well!

[ibnalxuffasch]

Very nice, Mr. Marz. I commend you on your journey to musician-hood.

Based on the styles you cite, I think you made a good choice. I have a Dot Studio just like it, but in the worn brown finish. It's a very versatile guitar.

Vs. your wife's Casino it's a darker guitar tone-wise (mahogany construction vs. maple) and since it's not fully hollow like a Casino, the Dot Studio is a little less feedback prone.

Now more than your writing will rock.

[AnarCHris]

FACT: There's always time for Ron $%#ing Swanson. Always.

[Sir_Gibby]

Ron, I bought a Yamaha 3/4 scale acoustic off of Amazon and started learning how to play. Of course with my luck, my 3rd string snapped as I initially began tuning it (the "g-string" snapping unexpectedly joke didn't die for about 2 weeks) but the replacement strings have arrived--as well as a solid book which I can't remember the name of right now. I took lessons about 3 years ago, was taught the power chords first. This time, I'm learning a string at a time, and I strongly urge you to look into learning your guitar like that if you haven't yet.

Not the point of your article--and a great article at that--but I wanted to share. Your timing was daggone impeccable.

[Skib]

Great motivation article, Ron!

I also picked up the guitar a little while ago. Love it. Even if I do suck @ it.

[saidestroyer]

This article seems like a epifany. I'm getting off my ass and doing something NOW!

[josephb]

This article, and the comments, are inspiring. I have my first drum lesson scheduled later this month and I am hoping it will push me to do other things that I previously made excuses to avoid.

[Mike Bullock]

Bring the new ax over. We can jam. And, get a Line 6.

[Mike Bullock]

And, get this: http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Handboo.../dp/0679742751

[Beadle]

Ron,

That was a great column. Very inspiring, in a kick-up-the-butt kind of way. I know I've got a whole heap of things that I've always regretted not doing (including, as you're discussing, writing comics). And you should always try and do anything you feel you were born to do.

The problem is, the one thing above all others that I think I was born to do is.... whine. I've completely mastered it. I have a PhD in Prevarication, and a Black-Belt in Making Excuses. I have achieved the ultimate levels of zen in "Yeah, I'd never get the breaks." and "What if I'm actually no good at it?", and I've reached the top of my game in "I'll never make a living at it."

So that's become my raison d'être. As you suggested, I've worked hard to get to that level. I know I've clocked up more than those 10,000 hours of practice. So I know that I speak from experience when I say that you're 100% right.

[MarkSullivan]

I also think it's great that you're going for this. Never too late to learn, I say. I've been playing guitar semi-professionally since my teens, and my only regret is not finding a good teacher early on. It would help get you off on the right foot (hand?) and maybe prevent bad habits you'd want to unlearn later. Taking lessons would also help you keep your resolution to learn. Nothing like a regular lesson to give you short-term goals.