By Michaud Savage

I remember making a decision early on in my decision to learn music, that I was going to be a certain kind of guitarist. Some folks decide to become a rock guitarist, some folks decide to become a jazz guitarist, some folks decide to become a singer-song writer. Each of these are wonderful, beautiful journeys into music, and are full of magnificence and wonder. Truly excellent.

I decided to become a guitarist who plays chords. No melodies, maybe some songs. I felt like it was too hard and like I'd never make it anywhere, no matter how hard I tried. The other kids I was studying guitar with seemed to have such an easier time with the guitar. I had been taking some guitar lessons and failed to practice everything my teacher instructed me to learn, and I ended up feeling discouraged, and I didn't play as much as I did at the beginning. Eventually I stopped.

Later, I came back to the guitar, and with some patience started relearning the chords I had forgotten. They came back to me more easily, and I found that I was able to learn new chords more easily. Even though I had stopped trying, there was still some memory of how to play the chords in my hands. I was amazed! What I learned later, was that the other kids I was learning with were practicing a lot, and were very patient with their learning. Today, I would not be where I am without a slow and steady practice routine.