Learning Classical Guitar is an Art

I am a professional song-writer with SOCAN and a musician. I taught myself classical guitar at a tender twelve years of age and would like to assist others who have in mind of wanting to learn this artistic skill.

Every now and then there will be a child born within a family that will tend towards a special artistic skill that perhaps no other family member may have. They are tenacious and will pester their parents to no end to obtain the needed tools to sharpen that skill. I was such a child.

At eight years of age, I wanted to be a classical guitarist. At the time, my mother simply didn't have the funds to procure a guitar for me, let alone a personal tutor or an instructor. Needless to mention, I was extremely disappointed. I must confess that my grandmother was exceptionally gifted in music as well, being a pianist, fiddler and accordionist. But I wanted to be a classical guitarist. I would have settled for the fiddle, but somehow her brother's son obtained it and it was seen no more. Alas, another disappointment. I contented myself with playing the piano and romping through the country fields with a simple harmonica and flute stuffed in my pocket. Still, it was not what I yearned for.

Four years trickled before I was finally able to obtain my very first guitar. I had no tutor. However, I was determined to learn. And here begins guidelines which I would like to share with aspiring young musicians of today.

Motivation

True, I've already stipulated that my tenacity in wanting to become a classical guitarist was there in advance. However, one strong point must be mentioned: before cultivating the talent relative to any musical instrument, the motivation to learn must be there. Without it, one will soon become disinterested. Also to bear in mind, wanting to learn the skill of a musical instrument is an entire different reality than learning how to play the artistic tool, where it will at least sound pleasantly audible to the human ear. It takes perseverance and patience to forge that inseparable bond between the tool and the artist.

Knowing the Instrument