I’ve heard that experts sometimes make lousy teachers because they don’t remember what it was like to struggle. Maybe I got lucky—I didn’t get really good at guitar until I was in college.

It was painful at times, but I learned firsthand what happens when you have some structure, good people around you, and opportunities to actually play with other musicians. You stop just learning guitar and start becoming a musician.

I’ve been helping people make that transition since then. I keep seeing the same thing: you can figure this stuff out alone. It just takes a hell of a lot longer, and it’s not nearly as much fun.

So look around. Steal a few ideas. Watch us play. See if any of this feels like your kind of thing.