We each play for our own reasons: to relax, reduce stress, refresh our minds/brains. Kids sometimes start to play because their parents want them to, but they continue because they want to. I started playing over 50 years ago, and it wasn’t even my idea. My mother asked me if I would like a guitar and lessons for my birthday. I hadn’t liked the piano lessons I’d had, but I was hooked on the guitar from note one. There’s just something about having both hands on “live” strings, directly manipulating vibration.
New students often tell me that they want to play because the guitar has been sitting around for years gathering dust and it’s time to do something about it. Sometimes a spouse or significant other gives a gift of lessons or people just want to try. No expectations, no promises.
Which brings me to one of my favorite pictures: “The First Step is to Try”. I snapped the above photo of the step by the old Hawaii Five-O soundstage on Kawaihao St. in Honolulu. That dilapidated building with a message of hope is no longer there. I wondered at the time who felt moved to pen such a sentiment. One of the many homeless in the area? An aspiring actor? A passerby like me? Whoever you are, I want to say “Thank You!” I’ve taken your advice to heart.