[DevilsAngel]

So um, like, my boyfriend bought me this guitar for Christmas last year and he wants me to learn how to play. Trouble is...I have been freaking out about it ever since. It's getting close to a year now and I know I need to figure out how to get over it but I get really anxious every time I hold the darn thing. What should I do? And um, how should my boyfriend approach this?

I do want to learn...really I do. I mean, he left a band and everything to be with me where he knows noone. The least I can do is get to where I'm willing to allow him to teach me something.

Oh and hi Bostjan!

[Durero]

There's a book which I found really helpful for psychological issues I've had about guitar practice, performing, composing & so on. It's called Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner

Effortless Mastery - Book/CD By Kenny Werner: Jazzbooks.com

It's really fun to read regardless of how serious or non-serious you feel about music, guitar, or life in general. It's definitely helped me for situations where I feel intimidated, or start taking myself too seriously, get too perfectionistic, or just forget to relax & have fun.


My girlfriend & I both play guitar. It's really nice to have that in common, and we often discuss our musical difficulties with each other - like not being able to practice like we want to, or not taking the time to write more often, & such. It really helps to have someone to talk with.

[distressed_romeo]

I've heard plenty of good things about 'Effortless Mastery', although I haven't read it myself.

I think the best thing to do initially would be to get him to show you a simple song that you already enjoy; trust me, it'll really set your mind at ease once you hear some real music coming out of your guitar, and each successive step won't be quite as worrying. The first step's always really difficult when you're learning any new craft, but once you get a taste for it the anxiety will disappear.

[cooldany]

Congratulation and all the best, because you are going to give something to your BF,when you are seriously wants to learn then don't hesitate, go ahead everything will be fine.

All The Best.

Guitar Tabs

[Hawksmoor]

Even when anxious, just hold it and just look at it for a few minutes.
Try to realise there is nothing to fear, repeat that for yourself.
Play.

I used to have the same problem. A bit of forcing and a bit of indoctrination did the trick for me.