I love the guitar! You know what’s really great about it? Well, one thing is you can take it with you just about anywhere you go. Granted, the airlines might give you a hard time if you try to carry one onboard. But for all else, it’s easy and fun to bring with you.

I like to take one of mine camping with me. It’s kind of like an old friend. We sit around the campfire, sing songs together, share our music with friends, and frequently make some new ones because of it (some people might say they like my playing, but please don’t sing!).

I started taking guitar lessons when I was just a kid and loved it. Sure, there were times when I didn’t want to practice. But thanks to a little coaxing from my parents (ok, sometimes a lot), I stuck with it. And I am very thankful for that today. My guitar and I have become very close friends.

Along the way, we gave many concerts sharing our music with hundreds, even thousands, in a single evening. And now, my friend and I (my guitar and I) like to share our love with others by teaching them how to play guitar and enjoy music and have fun with it.

Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life? Maybe it’s music. Pick an instrument. Get some professional instruction. And, stick with it! Many people ask me how long it takes to learn to play the guitar. Well, how long did it take you to learn how to speak, read, and write English? 5 years? 10 years? 15 years? Are you still working at it? I am. And remember, the joy is in the journey, not the destination. Sure, I can play the guitar really well. But, I like to learn new music, too. So, I am always on a journey.

So, go ahead. Choose an instrument. Learn to play it well. Allow it to become a part of you — a true friend. You’ll be glad you did. You will go to it when you’re happy to share your joy. You’ll go to it when you’re sad or frustrated. The best part is it will always be there for you for the rest of your life. Make a new friend in music today.