[Superman]

I started on a six string acoustic at about 11 or 12 years of age, and then moved to bass, which I love. I am in gigging bands. Here are some thoughts:

I have rarely, if ever, played or practiced when I didn't want to. For me, practicing has never been work. It has always been fun. Music is a very engaging puzzle with immediate rewards as I figure songs out. Unlock the secrets in the song and in the music structure of the song. From my perspective, wanting to be a musician and struggling through the hard work of achieving that goal will not work unless the thrill of the chase....the hard work of becoming proficient....is not work but rather, is fun. I guess I am suggesting that wanting to be a musician and enjoying the tough job of learning music and learning an instrument can be two different things. Show me a gigging musician today and I will show you someone who sat in their room as a teenager and learned an instrument because it was fun. The learning was a hobby, as opposed to sacrificing your time toward a goal in the future. It takes a LOT of time to learn an instrument.

As far as the instrument you use, there are plusses and minuses. Electric guitars slung with slinky strings are easy schmeezy to play. Less of a physical barrier. Steel string acoustic guitars take a lot more work to master, and your fingers will hurt for a while, but they will get strong and you will be a better player if you learn on one of these. Plus....acoustic guitars can be played by themselves, no electric power needed, transportable, etc. You can take an acoustic guitar to a park and play, or to an Open Mike event.

Back to advice #1: Have fun. If you enjoy practicing, then you will practice. And then you will become proficient. If it is not fun, then you will likely not invest the time necessary. Music is not a destination. The fun part is the journey.