So the new school is out and the holiday season is about to come so I thought I'd say some thanks to all of you lovely people here. It's been pretty quiet here on the forums lately and I think the nicest thing I saw recently was Jak asking how everybody is doing. I see the usual people posting so it seems to be like an actual family. This is also kind of a love letter to all of you.
The TLDR up front is that this school has helped me start playing, given me some sort of direction, as well as been an inspiration. So thank you everybody. This is going to be a long one but if you read through I really appreciate it.
I don't have much of a story to tell. I've been in the military 5 years now and developed a lot of depression issues. My stress relievers such as drawing/ painting, video games, and TV stopped working and I needed something new. I always put off guitar thinking that I'm not musical and I could never do it. But anytime I drink and listen to rock or metal I'd air guitar the shit out everything. So one day while driving (not drinking at the same time) I said fuck it. I made a detour and got my first electric and amp from a music store.
I soon discovered this school and have been following along the lessons at my own pace whenever I need some direction. (Side note- I think those early lessons on strumming, Barre chords, and the CAGED shapes were absolutely perfect for a beginner to start and and so well explained). I started off using my pen name @cynicalstix but this place really feels more personal than that so I changed it to my real name.
Hears what stood out to me, I had a question about finger picking. And I thought this was going to be dumb as fuck and was super nervous to post it. But so many people came through with not only exercises for finger picking, but recommendations and videos for different picks and how to hold them. Even Papa Gates gave a response. I took a screenshot and showed it to a bunch of my friends. Holy shit that made my day. It's places like these that inspire people and get you going. PG I'm sorry to say I put the finger picking on hold (for now), I ended up trying a lot more picks and ways of holding them and I found the right one and hold for me. A lot of people recommended the Jazz 3 but I found Gator Grips 2 mm to fit so comfortable and attack in the way I like.
It's been 5 months now. I'm up to 2 cheap electrics for traveling, a Fender accoustic, a dirty nasty bass for when I'm drinking and need to make noise. But my pride and joy is I got the gold and black model Synyster Custom. I was going to wait till I got better to get my dream guitar... but I got one of the autographed ones and was so glad I did. Some days I don't play much or at all if I'm traveling or have work, but it's become a thing where I take any excuse to put my fingers down and run some scales, practice Barre chords or progressions, or play one of the 3 or 4 songs I've learned (and a handful of openings). Honestly I haven't gotten far and everything sounds clunky but it's so relaxing to feel my guitars and hear the sounds I can make. I'd apologize to my neighbors in the barracks, but I haven't had any noise complaints yet so it must not be that bad.
If you read this far thank you. I know I just vommitted words onto a screen... But I really want everyone to know that it means something to me. It's become a hobby where I can really let loose and to have an environment developed by my heroes and cultivated by the regulars like Jak, Ed, Ids and more. I'm sure many of us like myself don't have much if anything at all to post but we're watching and learning. Thank you Syn, thank you PG, thank you my Synner family.
I have moving orders and next month I'll be leaving for Japan. If anybody ever winds up in Okinawa hit me up and we can get some drinks. Hopefully Avenged goes on an international tour in the next 3-4 years so I can see them in Tokyo or somewhere close
Love, Kai
The TLDR up front is that this school has helped me start playing, given me some sort of direction, as well as been an inspiration. So thank you everybody. This is going to be a long one but if you read through I really appreciate it.
I don't have much of a story to tell. I've been in the military 5 years now and developed a lot of depression issues. My stress relievers such as drawing/ painting, video games, and TV stopped working and I needed something new. I always put off guitar thinking that I'm not musical and I could never do it. But anytime I drink and listen to rock or metal I'd air guitar the shit out everything. So one day while driving (not drinking at the same time) I said fuck it. I made a detour and got my first electric and amp from a music store.
I soon discovered this school and have been following along the lessons at my own pace whenever I need some direction. (Side note- I think those early lessons on strumming, Barre chords, and the CAGED shapes were absolutely perfect for a beginner to start and and so well explained). I started off using my pen name @cynicalstix but this place really feels more personal than that so I changed it to my real name.
Hears what stood out to me, I had a question about finger picking. And I thought this was going to be dumb as fuck and was super nervous to post it. But so many people came through with not only exercises for finger picking, but recommendations and videos for different picks and how to hold them. Even Papa Gates gave a response. I took a screenshot and showed it to a bunch of my friends. Holy shit that made my day. It's places like these that inspire people and get you going. PG I'm sorry to say I put the finger picking on hold (for now), I ended up trying a lot more picks and ways of holding them and I found the right one and hold for me. A lot of people recommended the Jazz 3 but I found Gator Grips 2 mm to fit so comfortable and attack in the way I like.
It's been 5 months now. I'm up to 2 cheap electrics for traveling, a Fender accoustic, a dirty nasty bass for when I'm drinking and need to make noise. But my pride and joy is I got the gold and black model Synyster Custom. I was going to wait till I got better to get my dream guitar... but I got one of the autographed ones and was so glad I did. Some days I don't play much or at all if I'm traveling or have work, but it's become a thing where I take any excuse to put my fingers down and run some scales, practice Barre chords or progressions, or play one of the 3 or 4 songs I've learned (and a handful of openings). Honestly I haven't gotten far and everything sounds clunky but it's so relaxing to feel my guitars and hear the sounds I can make. I'd apologize to my neighbors in the barracks, but I haven't had any noise complaints yet so it must not be that bad.
If you read this far thank you. I know I just vommitted words onto a screen... But I really want everyone to know that it means something to me. It's become a hobby where I can really let loose and to have an environment developed by my heroes and cultivated by the regulars like Jak, Ed, Ids and more. I'm sure many of us like myself don't have much if anything at all to post but we're watching and learning. Thank you Syn, thank you PG, thank you my Synner family.
I have moving orders and next month I'll be leaving for Japan. If anybody ever winds up in Okinawa hit me up and we can get some drinks. Hopefully Avenged goes on an international tour in the next 3-4 years so I can see them in Tokyo or somewhere close
Love, Kai
