I am by no means a talented guitarist, although after more than six full months of trying I can report that I have indeed been making progress. Maddeningly-slow-make-you-question-the-whole-thing progress, but progress nonetheless.

I love to twang the strings and hear them resonate.  I love to palpate my fingertips and worry at my hardening calluses.  I love to sub-vocalize the name of a note only to find my fingers on the strings in the (mostly!) correct position. I’ve come to hate my all too weak and bendy ring finger but can’t help but be inordinately pleased those few times it comes perfectly into line without the least bit of wheedling.  I even love the stupid evil what-the-hell-could-they-have-been-thinking F-Major; the barred five-string chord from hell!

More than anything, though, I love the fleeting majesty of it all, like the duet I played the other day with my (unbelievably patient!) instructor.  Morris and I got through seven measures of Au Claire De La Lune only to have me flub the eighth.  For a wonder the notes were making all kinds of sense—no sure thing as I sometimes panic and become “note-blind” for no discernible reason—but in this case I simply flubbed because of the sheer wonder of it all.  We sounded great; achingly great, our harmony and timing were quite simply spot on.  As great as any Segovia, if point of fact; at least to my untrained ear.  Stopped me in my tracks, it did.  As I said: majestic!!

Anyway, I’ve come to learn that there’s no such thing as a guitarist who needs “only one” guitar.  While visiting the family in California for July 4th my brother-in-law brought out his Taylor GS-Mini Koa.  I got to play it for more than an hour and quite simply fell in love.  I purchased one of my own as soon as I got back home.

The guitar is quite a bit smaller than my (Epiphone) Les Paul, and several pounds lighter. The small size—especially the neck—seems perfect for me.  My hands aren’t all that large (make all the jokes you want) but it’s amazing how a tiny change in geometry can effect your playing.  Of course the thickness of the body was a problem at first, but I’ve found that easier to deal with.  The key point is that I have three guitars, now, although I there’s little doubt that another guitar or two will be calling my name before long.  (Note to Self: do not show this post to my wife!)