Learn to play guitar

“On January 1, I picked up the Fender and began practicing. It made my fingertips hurt – a stage I’d experienced in the past and had never gotten through. This time I stayed with it. Sixty-two days later, on March 3, I reached a small milestone: my first 100 hours of meaningful, purpose-driven practice – more practice… far more… than in the previous 59 years of my life combined on any musical instrument. The fingertips of my left hand now bear thickly calloused pads which are impervious to the steel strings’ bite. Both hands have developed newfound strength and dexterity and I’m gradually getting the hang of the patting-your-head-while-rubbing-your-stomach gymnastics necessary in guitar playing.”

“I finally did it. I finally developed the discipline and with age, cared little enough of what others thought, to sit down and figure it out. It took me over 40 years to get here. It didn’t come easy and I still lack the proficiency to feel confident enough to play in public but I can at least strum the strings well enough to recognize the tune.”