What has the guitar taught YOU?

[deeaa*]

I thought it might be interesting for us to look inward a little and see what we've learned from playing guitar, be it in a bedroom or band.
It could be what we've learned about ourselves, about others, about life, or you-name-it...
Deep philosophy to humor and beyond.

I wouldn't say playing guitar per se, but all that it entails, bands and whatnot.

I've learned so much about life and people playing with various people, gigs, experiences...and, also, I suppose guitar playing gave me something to do when I was a teenager and at a loss with what I wanted in life.

It's never failed to be something I can always fall back to, something that I can trust to be able to do well enough to satisfy my needs, provide a hobby and good entertainment. And also a background for doing something with like-minded friends.

Which brings me to probably the biggest lesson I've learnt about people in general when in bands and such...there is no such thing as completely one-way beneficial relationship.

I've understood that whatever people do, they ultimately do it for themselves, however altruistic or selfless the actions may seem. I guess it's a bit cynical way of looking at things, but I do think people will never do something that doesn't somehow benefit them in the end. It's always give and take.

You don't have for example friends you don't benefit from. The benefit may simply be that you enjoy their company - nothing more - but still there is a benefit for you in being their friend. Conversely, there is no benefit or pleasure in simply amassing fortunes, but it becomes a true asset only when you use it to the benefit of others, the people you love.

My view of life and its meaning is basically based on that - I think the meaning of life is to enjoy life and just get whatever you can out of it. But not on the expense of others, quite contrary - I find that the best things in life are shared and experienced with others. You can't be happy if your friend is in need, or your child lacks something. The whole meaning of it all is to try and make things as good as you can for people you care about, and yourself, and enjoy those things as well as you can. And try to make sure also the next generation can continue enjoying their lives maybe even a little better than yourself.

And yes, I think it all comes from guitar playing :-)

[FrankenFretter***]

I have learned that it's better to have a passion that there isn't always time for than to have more time and no passion.

[Tig***]

My view of life and its meaning is basically based on that - I think the meaning of life is to enjoy life and just get whatever you can out of it. But not on the expense of others, quite contrary - I find that the best things in life are shared and experienced with others. You can't be happy if your friend is in need, or your child lacks something. The whole meaning of it all is to try and make things as good as you can for people you care about, and yourself, and enjoy those things as well as you can. And try to make sure also the next generation can continue enjoying their lives maybe even a little better than yourself.

And yes, I think it all comes from guitar playing :-)

deeaa, you get it! You have mastered the all to rare, yet fundamentally important roll in life of a person who makes to world better by what they do and feel.
Think of how much better the world would be if more people did the same, instead of getting all bogged down in fruitless pursuits, selfishness, and ego trips...

The guitar and music are one of many conduits of which we can discover or spread positive stuff.

[Monkus]

three notes played well, is better than a hundred that you can't hear,

creative differences are a good thing,

guitar zen can be achieved by yourself, but its way better when experienced with others,

A guitarist can make any guitar sound good,

Silence from your audience can be better than polite applause,

There is always something else to learn.

[MAXIFUNK]

That even a little improvement can go a long way.

That what you thing you like and loves changes as your skills improve or mind opens up to new things.

That there is no right or wrong way to do or try to learn something try them all until you knows what works best for you. (THIS IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR ME DAILY!!)

[Eric***]

That there is no right or wrong way to do or try to learn something try them all until you knows what works best for you.

Very true. I'm finding the same thing.

[street music]

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY, even if is just chords and a few notes. It's more soul and heart than a non-player ever could feel when you make the strings ring on your own.

[aeolian]

Guitar playing taught me that the guitar player always gets the girl.

Except it never worked for me!

Sometimes you launch into a song with the band, and when the last chord faded away, you look at each other and everyone thought : "Wow!" That is what guitar actually taught me.