Guitar For Beginners Free, Yes – Free! I Had To Ask, “Is It Any Good?”
I somehow doubted that Eric Clapton learned from an internet ad that said, “Guitar For Beginners Free, Yes – Free!” I was not Eric Clapton though and that was my one and only choice if I wanted to learn. I had absolutely no money or means to pay for guitar lessons so free ones sounded pretty darn good. I was in college on a scholarship; I worked at the cafeteria for some cash for the essentials, and didn’t have a family member to rely on for supplemental income. I’d always wanted to learn guitar, but the finances were never there. I am not complaining because my dad worked very hard. He worked hard helping others fulfill their dreams and reach prosperity. He always put everything for him on the backburner to make everybody else okay. I knew he would have let me take lessons if it was a possibility at all. I clicked on the flashing ad to find out more.
What I discovered in that ad
There is a love and passion for guitar out there that extends deeper than I ever would have imagined. I never would have thought that people would help teach their craft for no cost to me. That was really cool and something I never would have thought would happen. It didn’t fit the image of musicians at all. As I read on I discovered the difference – some musicians love to teach their art and some musicians want to play it to the world. Both are equally talented and gifted, each one just has a different mission. Personally, I was thankful for those that wanted to teach. I bookmarked the page and started to scout rummage sales and pawn shops for the cheapest guitar I could find. I took on an extra shift and busted my butt studying later at night than I’d normally care to. Finally, I saved $100 relatively extra dollars and went to purchase a guitar that I had found at a pawn shop. A pal I knew that played guitar tuned it up for me and I started my free lessons.
What I learned in my lessons
I learned a lot right away with my free lessons. I found out how to properly hold a guitar, started to learn some chords, and the fundamentals of what made a guitarist great. The instructor was first class all the way and the instruction was so easy to follow. I couldn’t have asked for more even if I had the cash to play. Within a few days I had learned my first song and was practicing every chance I got. Since I also had school work to do some days I might only get in 15 minutes of practice, but I got it in none the less. It was my wind down, my relaxer, and a terrific break from my entrance into college and the “real world”. I found out that I was pretty gifted and decided to compose a song for my dad. Father’s day was coming up soon and I knew he’d appreciate it a lot. My dad always said, out of sincerity and a bit of necessity, “Son, some day you’ll understand that you don’t have to pay money to give a great gift.” I always thought it was his humble way of saying he couldn’t afford something, but now I was starting to see the wisdom behind his words.
The day, the song, and the moment
Father’s day came and I played the song I had composed for my dad. It was more instrumental than words because I don’t have that great of a voice. I can write but I can’t croon. The refrain is what really sticks out on my mind ‘til this day. It said:
The greatest men aren’t gauged by money
Nor are they successful because of their job
They are the ones that show their families
How to love, how to live, and how to embrace their strengths
Dad, you are all those things and more
An amazing man who knows the importance of life
I played for my dad and belted out my croaky lyrics. He had a gleam in his eye and gave me a smile. Then he patted me on the back and said, “Now son, I know you’ve been listening all these years. I’m proud of you.” Nothing more needed to be said or done. That’s how guys in my family are. You know what’s going on from our actions, not so much our words. It was incredible.
Today, I am expecting my first child and I always think of that special memory. It meant so much to me and I know it meant a lot to my dad. He taught me a lesson that I’ll be sure to pass down too. It amazes me to think that it started with a blinking ad that read, “Guitar For Beginners Free, Yes – Free!”
