Learning to play an instrument is a humbling experience

[cantdrv55]

While it’s fun to learn the ukulele, it sure is frustrating too. I practice about 30 minutes a day until my fingertips are sore as are my fingers. I can’t seem to curl my knuckles to avoid flattening other strings. It’s going to take me a long time. Should’ve started when I was younger and had better dexterity.

[sugarwood]

Yes, it will be exponentially harder to do this when old.

[craigster59]

Good Children Eat Apples.

My Dog Has Fleas.

I started on the ukulele. Stick with it, it's a great instrument. Much easier to play than guitar but to me more diverse.

George Harrison used to write a lot of his tunes on the ukulele, he felt the tuning made for more diverse chords.

[craigster59]

Mine and my Grandmother's favorite tune. We'd play this one and close the show with "Frankie And Johnny".

[cantdrv55]

The G chord is so hard for me for some reason but not G7. They sound similar so I may have to use that as a sub. I’m hoping I can pull it off with my off key singing.

[Chocaholic]

Countless lessons as a kid and a lifetime of practicing, I can play any chord or scale ever imagined on a guitar...and still suck. There’s an important piece of the puzzle missing....talent.

I thought I’d really get back into it once I retire but have changed my mind. Not worth the aggravation. With the advent of YouTube and countless video’s of 8 year olds that can shred the thing with finesse I only dream of...in the complete absence of talent it’s not a worthwhile pursuit.

I hope your experience is better and that you, in fact, actually have some talent.

Rant over.

[72doug2,2S]

Ran into a wall for years, YouTube is a blessing. I'm still progressing, but I think lessons would still be a good idea

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

The G chord is so hard for me for some reason but not G7. They sound similar so I may have to use that as a sub. I’m hoping I can pull it off with my off key singing.

I fumble about on a baritone uke (D G B E) and the chords are often 1 / 2 fingers.

[Superman]

Keep at it. It will get easier....or at least.....you will see the progress.

Aside from the finger soreness, is it fun to practice? When you get past the slow, cumbersome torture of making chords, and you get to the point where you are actually playing a song, then is it fun? It should be. If practicing becomes fun, then your chances of becoming proficient are greatly improved. Compared to your chances of becoming proficient through practicing that is a chore. It takes a lot of time. If it is fun, keep doing it. If it is not, then stop. Like everything else, only more so.

[GH85Carrera]

It helps so much to have the music genetics and come from a musical family.

Long ago I dated a chick that played in the OKC orchestra. Her parents were professional musicians and she grew up in music world where everyone she knew was a musician. She played a violin for a living. She could play a ton of stringed instruments, the piano, and even some wind instruments. I can play a radio and a MP3 player. She could just "see" music and understood the piece.

For her, to learn a new instrument and be better than most others was easy.

[cantdrv55]

Fortunately practice is fun for me and I am seeing progress.

My son played the piano for years but he's the only one from both sides of the family to pick up an instrument. We all sing though...kind of.

[WPOZZZ]

I have no idea how to play a uke. All I know is ukes are expensive as Hell! My dad ad a concert Kamaka with Tiki and I took it out of the case a coupe weeks ago and the back separated. Took it to Kamaka and it is $375 and 9-10 months to rebuild it, plus $135 for a new case. I asked the lady if it was worth it to fix and she pointed out the price board. $1800 for a new one!

[cantdrv55]

I saw a few at the Guitar Center last Sunday for less than $300. Not sure though what brand but I’m certain they’re made in China.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Countless lessons as a kid and a lifetime of practicing, I can play any chord or scale ever imagined on a guitar...and still suck. There’s an important piece of the puzzle missing....talent.

I thought I’d really get back into it once I retire but have changed my mind. Not worth the aggravation. With the advent of YouTube and countless video’s of 8 year olds that can shed the thing with finesse I only dream of...in the complete absence of talent it’s not a worthwhile pursuit.

I hope your experience is better and that you, in fact, actually have some talent.

Rant over.

Exact same here. I’ve spent so many hours/days/weeks/months practicing guitar since around 12 years of age.

With a ton of practice I can learn many basic rock and pop songs and play them reasonably competently. But without the talent to truly master the instrument, the effort, pain and time involved in learning and practicing a song over and over makes it not worth it to me. (And even the songs I do learn well, I still feel like it’s 99%, not 100%, which drives me nuts).

Other kids practiced less than me and advanced much faster. Because they had aptitude and I didn’t.

Still I on and off persevered, as late as into my 40s.

But at sometime I finally accepted I suck at guitar.

So I’ve happily and proudly given up!

[Tervuren]

Younger me would have disagreed.
Years at the race track have changed my mind.
There are also bio mechanics at play.
I have bad geometry for the Erhu.
But I'll still make noise with it, I enjoy the attempt.
Just don't be around when the Erhu comes out.

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I hope your experience is better and that you, in fact, actually have some talent.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Exact same here. I’ve spent so many hours/days/weeks/months practicing guitar since around 12 years of age.

With a ton of practice I can learn many basic rock and pop songs and play them reasonably competently. But without the talent to truly master the instrument, the effort, pain and time involved in learning and practicing a song over and over makes it not worth it to me. (And even the songs I do learn well, I still feel like it’s 99%, not 100%, which drives me nuts).

Other kids practiced less than me and advanced much faster. Because they had aptitude and I didn’t.

Still I on and off persevered, as late as into my 40s.

But at sometime I finally accepted I suck at guitar.

So I’ve happily and proudly given up!

Ha! We should start a band.

[Superman]

They say 10,000 hours is what it takes. But it takes far less than that to show progress and gain in proficiency. There can be a snowball effect. Some folks respond to challenges by quitting. We call these people "quitters." Other folks respond to challenges by working harder. We call these people golfers and musicians.

Playing in a group is fun, and it increases the hours of playing time and also the speed of improvement. And....it's really fun. Really.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

I have no idea how to play a uke. All I know is ukes are expensive as Hell! My dad ad a concert Kamaka with Tiki and I took it out of the case a coupe weeks ago and the back separated. Took it to Kamaka and it is $375 and 9-10 months to rebuild it, plus $135 for a new case. I asked the lady if it was worth it to fix and she pointed out the price board. $1800 for a new one!

Tell Fred Kamaka you want the "Good Guy Discount"!

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by Superman

They say 10,000 hours is what it takes. But it takes far less than that to show progress and gain in proficiency. There can be a snowball effect. Some folks respond to challenges by quitting. We call these people "quitters." Other folks respond to challenges by working harder. We call these people golfers and musicians.

Playing in a group is fun, and it increases the hours of playing time and also the speed of improvement. And....it's really fun. Really.

There's also a concept known as "recognizing your limitations" and adjusting accordingly. I will also not perform Karaoke, install my own roof, rebuild a Porsche engine or pour my own driveway. Life is more enjoyable doing the things you have an aptitude for.

You call it quitting. I call it common sense...or maturity.

[Superman]

I did not intend to offend you Mike, or anyone. I also will not sing karaoke or finish concrete.