How I Taught Myself to Play the Guitar! (The Story Behind My Music Journey)

[@for3v3rfaithful]

hey everyone! i just want to say i've sooo been enjoying reading your music/guitar journeys in the comments! i feel like i know you guys so much better and i'm digging the conversations that are happening below. thank you so much for giving me the privilege of getting to be a part of your story!! it makes me so happy and honored to have played a role in helping you learn guitar and i can't wait to continue to learn and grow more with you all! ❤️️

[@walteralexandercacereshurt986]

Yes you are!!! Blessings!!!

[@togaevieafton5613]

Hey cheer up

[@yasoutube8048]

Best guitar teacher eveeeer...l am obssesed with your tutorials...🥺😭😭❤❤❤❤

[@keertigarg248]

I think you have the best tutorials on the internet. Hearing your story makes me feel that it may be because of the way you have taught yourself that you are such an amazing teacher! So many things resonated with me like being an introvert- I love you so much. Keep going.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

thanks so much for watching keerti!! your continued support really means a lot to me. ❤️and i think you're right. sometimes the best teachers are the ones who struggled themselves. that's how they can anticipate what their students might find difficult and break things down better. for instance, my high school physics teacher who was obviously a genius but didn't know how to explain things so that a bunch of teenagers could understand. 😂anyway, thank you for watching my videos and i'm glad you find them helpful! can't wait to see more covers from you! 🤗

[@anonymoussage1125]

@@for3v3rfaithful youre beautiful

[@sjs9354]

Really a sweet video. You went the long way around to learn guitar. Not everyone needs to learn to read music or all the notes up and down the frets. It’s discouraging for a beginner. I learned the Key of G right away, one strumming pattern and one finger picking pattern. That is all that’s needed to play church, folk etc. And begin playing, adding more along the way. Thank you for all the videos. I screenshot and keep them. Putting the info on the screen is monumentally helpful.

[@franciscabelanger7200]

I enjoyed watching your videos! I'm 62 years old, but when I was ten I was a good guitarist that was before arthritis in my hands. I wish I could play again like before when I was younger. My husband bought me a guitar for Christmas last year. So, I'm back! I learned so much from your videos. Thanks for sharing your talents.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

hi francisca! i'm sorry to hear about the arthritis. i bet that's frustrating to remember when it was easier to play... BUT the amazing thing about your situation is you now have the memories and background to get you right back to where you used to be! i find that some people lose motivation because they've never heard themselves successfully play anything and then give up. but in your case, you know you can do it! start out easy with chords that don't make you stretch too much (Em) or chords you can play with one finger (A) and go from there! i'm rooting for you! 💪💪💪

[@ojsojs6004]

@@for3v3rfaithful hi did you use full size guitar or 3/4 guitar? What is also the size of your middle finger? Mine is 6.5 cm long which is short.

[@wanghewanghe6648]

Atlast tqsm l thought music is easy to know ,now l surprised u have such kind of you story ,still l love to listen music l hope l will succees... Iike you 👍👍👍may God bless to you abandanly.

[@anthonysantos8821]

Awesome story!!! I’m a 60 year old who always wanted to play Church Hymns and just began learning with you. Thank you so much! 😊

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Thanks so much for learning guitar with me and my videos! 🥰 I'm so glad you're going after your music goals! 💪

[@irritated.paintbrush]

yes teach us about tabs.Also please teach a little bit about music theory. That will be so helpful.🌸

[@paradigma9161]

Yes

[@jamesstoakley5757]

Been playing almost 6 months and taught myself still learning and have learn few songs from you keep up hard work

[@for3v3rfaithful]

that's great! i'm glad you have the drive to continue learning! thanks for watching my videos and hope to continue seeing you around! 🤗

[@sajangeorge1768]

Hi Ellen I started out with keyboard and now with your videos I'm teaching myself guitar. My dad started learning guitar too so I have a very old guitar which is 14 years old. Playing guitar brings a smile on my face so I'm learning with you. Joslyn

[@TaiChiBeMe]

Very interesting post. I taught guitar for years now... I am 69 years old (in March) and started teaching when I was 17 - in Chinatown in San Francisco. I totally get what you are saying because when I was 16 my cousin left a guitar in our house and I started tinkering with it. I wound up majoring in music and my main instrument was guitar. I still teach and love it. You are very inspirational in your lessons and I think that's why so many follow you. Congrats.

[@kennethkern5621]

I loved hearing your story, it inspires me as I just started teaching myself to play guitar a few weeks ago and today came across your story and it makes me believe I can succeed. Thank You!!

[@misanthropicmusings4596]

I love marty music and justinguitar! This site however is really great for getting started. Thanks for being such an inspiration!

[@Igbon5]

Isn't it funny how something seemingly simple, like the bar chord symbol or the fret numbers, are so difficult when you don't know, but so easy when you do? It seems obvious but seems ain't everything. I really liked your story.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

thanks for watching! yes, as i was thinking back to when i first started to be able to tell you guys this story, i remembered all the confusion and frustration i had when i was trying to teach myself the simplest things. now they're like second nature. that's how life works, i suppose! like how jobs let you replace education with experience... i totally see why!

[@ChrisThomson-mq3cl]

Well youre an awesome teacher. G is the first chord for me so thanks for that. God be with you. x

[@misanthropicmusings4596]

I too came from a violin background! This was a nice change of pace. Thanks for sharing.

[@anniechao6834]

First of all i wanna tell you that you are such a great teacher. You understand what beginners need and their problems which makes ur tutorials so easy to follow. Some other tutorials are also great, they are all great players, but its the way you point of some key points that really differentiate you from other people. Secondly, after hearing your story, i think the main key to self teach an instrument is how passionate you are to learn this instrument. How much you are devoted into learning it. You are an awesome teacher!!

[@keertigarg248]

Ellen- thank you so much for sharing this. I always admired you and now even more ❤️

[@vaughnutube327]

Wow ... that's good news. All the best in 2022. And thank you for sharing all your wonderful insights and talents with the world.

[@jeffkidwill7719]

what an awesome story so inspirational thank you for sharing

[@johnn2326]

What a treasure you are Ellen. I just found you. So inspirational!!! Thank You!!!

[@for3v3rfaithful]

aww thank you so much for the sweet comment! 🥰 i'm glad you can connect to my story and my tutorials! 🤗💕

[@msmith4096]

I watch you every day. As a more mature beginner, I am grateful for your teaching method and your charisma! I"m working on Hey there Delilah and Stand by me; in two months I've come a really long way and am a total addict..lol My Grabe 8 royal conservatory piano helped for sure. Thanks for what you do, its really appreciated.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Aww thank you so much for your kind words! 🥰 I'm really glad you like my teaching style and I appreciate you watching multiple videos and learning guitar with me. 🎸🎶 So glad you're having fun with it and hope you'll continue adding new songs to your library! 🙌

[@steezi_1445]

I'm a beginner and your videos helped me so much, i really enjoy learning from you, you're fun and the lessons are exiting, you made me love playing the guitar even more, you're the best teacher on yt in my opinion , thank you really❤️

[@varshagoswami3474]

U are seriously underrated.

[@sceek561]

I started guitar many years ago and gave up trying to play Tears in Heaven. Put the guitar away and recently picked it up a month or two ago. Been really enjoying getting back into it. I'm going to tackle TIH again after listening to this. :) ty!

[@riquerod8594]

I’m 52yrs old and have sparked an interest in playing the guitar. I enjoy following Ellen’s tutorials. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work, your a natural 🙏🏽

[@rationallogo]

You, Ellen, are so inspirational. The impact you have had and are having on untold thousands cannot be overstated. I, like you, played music (saxophone, bassoon, tuba, tuned percussion) for many years in school and college but unlike you, I abandoned music for philosophy and applied psychology. I will now take an old dulcimer out and apply my previous knowledge of music to playing old time music. All thanks to you. You are so very much appreciated.

[@sandeedriver1941]

I have tried learning guitar from other channels and those channels are out for subs not to really teach. However, you are the BOMBDIGGITY ! Thank you for sharing your talent to all your new guitar friends. And do not place any pressure upon yourself because then you will not have fun teaching, it will only feel like a.....job.

[@RiffsRhythm]

This is very true. Guitar should be fun when learning. Finding a good teacher that makes things easy and fun is key.

[@mathisalonzo]

I taught myself the guitar the same way. I started playing violin when I was eight years old. I’m still learning.

[@simonk9561]

I love your way of teaching as a late starter myself, i am getting my granddaughter a guitar as a present which I know she wants. The other present is going to be a note with a link to your channel which is perfectly presented and accessible to young learners. This is a big gap in coverage on here as far as i can see so keep up the great work on your channel!. Best wishes.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

I'm so excited for your granddaughter to get started on her own music/guitar journey! 🤗 Playing music has always been one of my favorite past times and has opened many doors throughout my life, so I'm hoping the same opportunities will come to her! 🙌 Thank you so much for checking out my videos and supporting my channel by sharing it with others. 🥰 I'm glad you find my video format approachable and helpful and I hope she likes it too! 🦋

[@hotmammaflower]

So grateful for your free videos, it’s been very helpful for the beginner that I am. I look forward to learning my first song that I can sing along to.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

I'm so glad my videos have been helpful to you! 🤗 Thanks so much for watching them and supporting the channel! 💕

[@mikesummers4712]

luv your story, introverted , can't make friends, huh??anyone would / should be proud to call you friend. so sweet also. have watch so many many lessen vids, your simply the BEST!!!!

[@lauricecowan9516]

You have a great personality and delightful to listen. Indeed it give me hope. Thanks for sharing it give me hope.

[@ourunhurriedhome2519]

Hey Ellen! I'm 12 years old and am starting to learn guitar self taught🤗✨. I'm struggling a little bit, but your videos give me hope to continue💖. I'm excited to start learning the guitar with your videos🥰✨🎶!! God bless you!! P.S. I'm a Swiftie too

[@gtm8846]

omg..🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭..... I also do the skipping chords that I dont know then proceed to the famiiar one ,, 😹😹😹.. Im so thankful to your video tutorial .. pls dont stop teaching us more... 😊😊😊😊😊

[@louisyung829]

Thanks for sharing your inspirational musical journey 🙏👍💪🎶🎸

[@Dadrummer23]

I'm a drummer and guitar has always been my dream instrument. I discovered your channel when I was searching up on how much pressure that should be put on the guitar strings. As soon as you taught that I've now have a great understanding of that now , you've definitely just earned a new subscriber keep up the great content.😊💪

[@Condermanski]

Keep up the great job!!! Love your videos! Very easy to understand and you’re one of the best watchers on the internet! Thank you for sharing your talents!

[@Condermanski]

Teachers on the internet!

[@johnbergeron2345]

Ellen! You have helped me so much! I'm 68 years old and have always, always loved music. For some reason, I've never quite felt that this love was entirely legitimate because I was not able to play an instrument. But at this point in what's left of my life, I have more free time to devote to trying to learn acoustic guitar. I rue the fact that I waited so long, and suspect it would have been much easier had I begun a long time ago. Still, and here's where you come in, as everyone else does, I become frustrated with each of the hundreds of musical walls I hit and the plateaus I get stuck on. When this happens I'm ashamed to admit that I put the guitar down for days and days, which I know is the worst this you can do. But I keep it close as a reminder and then, at some point, I inevitably find you on KZbin and become inspired once more. Your kind, gentle nature and your understanding of what we all are going through on our musical journeys, make you the perfect online instructor. You truly are amazing, and so kind (no one could fake your wonderful personality in one video after another if it weren't genuine. I'm sure I'm only one of hundreds or thousands who have come to see you as a beautiful, talented friend. Thank you so much for keeping me from getting too far off course. You're truly amazing!

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Thank you so much for your sweet comment, John! 🥰 I'm so happy to hear you're getting back into learning guitar and am really grateful that you've chosen to make me a part of your music journey! 🦋 I completely understand the struggle but you have the right attitude of not giving up and trying again! Each day is a new day to start fresh, so don't let yesterday's struggles hinder tomorrow's accomplishments! 😉 I hope you'll continue to learn more songs with me and someday soon you'll be able to express that love of music with others! 🎸🎶

[@jbf16falcon]

I think that some people’s journey in learning is better served by the method of delivery, some resonate with one better than that from others. I’ve had some very technically proficient guitar teachers over the years that drove me to put the guitar back in the closet time and time again. I’m 65 now and have gained some cord knowledge and basic music theory, can read basic notational music and basic tabs. Combined with that I am actually making satisfying progress watching your videos. It’s your good attitude, smile and desire to actually share a skill that sets you apart from many others that try and show off “their skill” in teaching videos, leaving one to question if they make videos for their ego or to help you learn. Whether I learn something profound in one of your videos, or not, I always leave the videos feeling happy and maybe that’s as important to my health and this journey as any technical progress. Thank you, especially for that positive, smiling demeanor your lessons bring during this time of isolation and lockdown. By the way I think the lessons are technically working as well.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

what a sweet comment, thank you so much! 🤗 💕 i definitely believe how much you relate to/enjoy learning from your instructor impacts how motivated you are to continue practicing. 👍 and i'm so glad that you find that in me and my videos! 🎸 🎶 it's so awesome to have viewers like yourself who help build the positivity online and share your experiences with others. 🙌 i hope to continue to inspire you to pick up that guitar and follow your passion! 🦋

[@zeeagarao6967]

please do tab reading tutorial 🙂 P. S everytime I need a Taylor Swift song tutorial I always sneak in your channel 😂

[@avamentzer3832]

I truly inspire to be you ellen, i got a guitar 3 days ago and your videos are so helpful. I used to play the trombone so i dont have any experience with string instruments but im gonna try hahah

[@shillongnatureasmr3602]

Its an amazing guitar story and for me it was my Aunt who inspired me to play the guitar and I remember the first Chord was D Major and I remember how I struggled to put my fingers in the right position.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

that's so fun to think about, right?? i bet now your D chord shape just comes naturally without you even having to think about it, but when we first start it seems like everything is so slow and hard! it's great to think back to the beginning because it puts all your hard work in perspective and helps you appreciate all you've learned! 🙌

[@shillongnatureasmr3602]

@@for3v3rfaithful yes it is fun to think about those days and I remember playing my first song that is 'I have a dream' by ABBA and my Aunt taught me to play that song and it was awesome.😊

[@artbythebaileys8700]

Thank you for sharing your guitar journey.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Thank you for taking the time to listen to it! 🤗

[@DwightP980]

Thanks for sharing your journey with us. It's a wonderful story, and hopefully we all continue to learn and grow!

[@for3v3rfaithful]

completely agree! i mean, are we ever done learning in our lifetime? i think there's always something new to learn which is why i love it!! thanks for watching! ❤️️

[@maligadevi8196]

I love your guitar tutorials And i played my first song in your first beginner tutorials

[@for3v3rfaithful]

That's so awesome to hear!! 🎉 Really glad you were able to play your first song with me, and thanks so much for watching my videos! 🥰

[@vasilijekadijevic552]

omg i love it here youre amazing

[@VikramArora]

Loved the honesty! Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@for3v3rfaithful]

thank you for watching! 🤗💕

[@ashariesamuels2835]

your story was great I loved it I wish I had at least half of a story like that

[@Elijah79771]

I'm looking forward to learning guitar, I've wanted to learn for a while because of the need to develop callouses(kind of ironic how you have to do the same emotionally as well which attracts me to guitar as well). Anyway you are adorable and I hope you find true love one day. 😊🤗🙏🏼😇 N.Colbert

[@florencer.osawaru22]

thank you dear for sharing your experience with us to motivate us, we your online students. With the way you teaches, am motivated to learn. I pray for you for more wisdom. God bless you

[@byliner3]

Hi, great listening to your history and musical background. You say you maybe lacking some knowledge of the guitar, but have to say that out of all the KZbin tutorials etc yours is the easiest to follow, you are also making my learning enjoyable. A natural teacher with modesty and a wonderful way of explaining chords etc. Keep up the good work and thank you very much from Ireland.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

thank you so much for your sweet comment! it's absolutely true that i'm lacking lots of knowledge when it comes to guitar 😂 but that doesn't mean i can't teach you guys what i DO know in a way that makes sense. i try really hard to think about how i would've liked to learn and how i learn things in my head and then try to put those elements into my videos for you guys. it makes me so happy whenever i hear that it's working and that my tutorials have been helping someone to learn the guitar! it really motivates me to continue so thank you! ❤️i hope to continue seeing you on my channel as we learn more songs together!

[@keertigarg248]

Such an amazing inspiring story ❤️

[@tungochuy]

Fun fact. You inspired me to learn my first Begin Again 3 years ago 🥰😍

[@1alandix]

Hi Ellen,Thankyou so much for giving your time to us all.i really love your videos and you come across very well.You explain things so it is easier to understand.I think your awesome.😀xx

[@for3v3rfaithful]

aww thanks so much alan!! i'm glad you enjoy my teaching style and it makes me happy to know you're able to use my videos to learn!

[@1alandix]

for3v3rfaithful your more than welcome.your doing a great job.i appreciate it very much.Thankyou.😀x

[@varshagoswami3474]

It's been 16 days since I am learning guitar..It's hard but I will not give up.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

that's the attitude!! 💪i think everyone reaches a point where things start to get hard and it's easy to be so frustrated that you just want to give up. but OH MY GOODNESS the joy and sense of accomplishment you feel after you finally get over that hump is SO WORTH IT!! i hope you'll keep that in mind as you continue to practice and i can't wait to hear about your progress!! 🤗 good luck!!

[@varshagoswami3474]

@@for3v3rfaithful aww..THANK you so much this means a lot..U will definitely see my progress.

[@rulisxsx]

Thanks for your videos !!! Keep going!

[@reduchiha1465]

you teach the best....u r just amazing

[@priyayadav..]

I loved your story, thank you so much for inspiring all of us each day.❤️

[@for3v3rfaithful]

you guys really, truly inspire me as well so thank you for sharing your talents! ❤️

[@aspiringnorvie]

Hello Ellen ,I just started week ago ,I just had the heart to learn and found your lesson easy to follow,thanks .

[@for3v3rfaithful]

I'm so excited for you and happy to hear you've decided to pick it up! 🎸 Music (and specifically playing music) has always been my go-to stress reliever and I hope it can be the same for you. 💕

[@aldriencabz3292]

im late to see this! but thank u, thank u so much for your tutorials, it helps me so much! (sorry for the wrong grammars)

[@haneko98]

Just to let you know.. I have no experience in learning music at all but I do have a guitar for a while now and I want to learn it by myself cuz i cant afford guitar class.. So i go through the youtube and I found your channel.. I've been practicing with your videos a lot and i found it really easy to understand.. I've tried to watch other youtuber's vid tutorial on a song that I want to learn (Heatwaves-glass animals) but I find that I do not understand them at all.. and I came back to your channel instead.. All im saying is ..thank you for being a great teacher 😁💜

[@robbieloving6577]

The greats your amazing keep moving forward more videos 🎵🎶🎧🎻🎸

[@yh8280]

Thank you so much for reaching us guitar. I’ve had my guitar for years but am just picking it up and learning in earnest. Love your thorough and thoughtful tutorials! 😁💯

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Aww thank you for the sweet comment! 🥰 I'm glad you like my video format and teaching style and am excited for your guitar journey! 🎸🎶

[@SKBassist]

I started playing bass first and after about 9 months went to playing guitar. My prior experience with bass definitely has helped me learn guitar a lot faster and more easily.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

For sure, I think learning any string instrument will definitely transfer to learning guitar! 🤗 Thanks for watching my story and sharing yours! 💕

[@Elodie830]

Agreed, not having a background like you def makes it more challenging for me. I learned clarinet in elem school but didn’t stick with it.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

yeah, i mean i can't lie. if i didn't have the experience and knowledge i had from violin when i first started learning guitar, it would've been 1000x harder! BUT the advantage that people nowadays have is the prevalence of the internet! i touched on it in my video, but back when i was a kid learning guitar, people didn't have as many (or even any?) video tutorials and things like that as they do now. so hopefully some of my videos or those of other guitar tutors out there have been helpful to you! it can get tough, but the end goal is so worth it!! best of luck!!

[@rotzrohit]

Great to know you better.. Loved your story.. I m motivated..

[@for3v3rfaithful]

thank you so much for watching! i'm glad sharing my story helped you get to know me a little better. i think it's important for people to know that i'm still learning too! hope you can hang onto the motivation you're feeling and learn more songs with me! 🎸

[@mikehelbert761]

No way , your so nice.I’ll hope you found someone to Jam with by now. I just discovered you 2 Weeks ago. Your Definitely Good

[@jacktaylor7696]

Thanks for all you do Ellen! I never had a musical background. When I was 9 I wanted to play guitar but the music teacher said my hands were too small and I should play drums instead. That lasted 2 weeks. In 2014 when I was 24 during chronic illness I picked up guitar for first time and self taught off KZbin. Ive been very off and on due to health but I've just started lessons with Mark the Guitar guy, and singing lessons too as things have been getting better for me. Ive also started tutorials here on KZbin! I sometimes think I should be further along than I am.. and I have some things to fix.. but I'm mostly happy :) learnt alot from you so thankyou once again ! Mark the guitar guy is someone you should consider checking out on YT. It's valuable just to do a couple sessions to iron out flaws. Ive been playing barre chords incorrectly and bending strings out of tune which he picked up over zoom. Skill wise he's the best on KZbin re guitar tutorials/learning and can break things down nice and simply. We've been learning some scales recently and soloing. Hope this helps :) JT

[@for3v3rfaithful]

thanks for the suggestion jack! i'll have to check him out sometime! also, you shouldn't compare yourself to other people about feeling like you should be further along and what not. learning is a very personal and individualized thing! it drives me crazy how they make all kids learn things at the same pace in school. you're right where you are because that's where you belong right now. sure, it's good to push yourself to learn harder things but what might take one person a day to learn would take another a month and vice versa. it's all about the honest effort you put into it and keeping a positive attitude! 🤗 i'm so glad you were able to find value in some of my tutorials and i hope to continue seeing you around on my channel! ❤️

[@jacktaylor7696]

@@for3v3rfaithful Thanks Ellen - looking forward to more content soon! Cheers, JT

[@mysimplehomerecipes3539]

Your story makes me feel better and reminds me of my trourl even my first instrument was volin and second one was pino and now I am learning guitar from you! You are the best!

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Wow, we're walking the same musical path it seems! 😂 Your previous instruments will definitely help with guitar. 🤗

[@mysimplehomerecipes3539]

Yes it seems 😂thank you

[@mysimplehomerecipes3539]

My sentence doesn't make any sense because my first language was not English

[@mysimplehomerecipes3539]

Well have a great day stay well and look after yourself and your family OK by by

[@martinsuffolk5335]

I agree with Vijay below, we might be 'getting on' but there is no reason why we can't still achieve. I signed up to JustinGuitar and have several of his books but, and this is just my opinion, your methods of teaching and the way you construct your videos are so much better for someone like me. Anyways, off I must go as I want to learn Say Something and Can't help falling in love. Keep up the good work and best wishes.

[@dhavalparmar4472]

You are the best Guitar teacher on KZbin, Thanks a lot,and violin is a very emotional sounding instrument and you play guitar very well and teach us perfectly too,I really hope to learn guitar tabs and I'm beginner guitar player, maybe I'm at your level when you started learning chords from those cards.😊

[@for3v3rfaithful]

i remember how i felt when i was learning from those cards!! i think i was really good at Em, C and G so i would look for music that only had those chords in it. 😂thanks so much for watching my story and my videos! your support really means a lot to me! 🤗

[@dhavalparmar4472]

@@for3v3rfaithful I'm so glad and happy to learn more and more songs from you,Thanks😊

[@jeba.rroselin6127]

I started my guitar tutorial just few days back. You're really awesome ❤.. I'm impressed by you. I will never quit until I finish. You're the best in KZbin 😁.. Thank you❤❤❤❤❤

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Aww thanks so much for watching my videos and I'm really excited for you to get started on your guitar journey! 🙌 🎸🎶

[@jeba.rroselin6127]

@@for3v3rfaithful Thank you.. you're so sweet ❤️

[@techboomer9716]

When I last commented I said you had a lovely warm personality. Having watched your video may I say you are refreshingly honest too. I am 74 with zero musical knowledge , never played ANY instrument before and with no family history of music. I chose the guitar as I was told to avoid a violin or piano as one needed to be young to have the plasticity of the muscle memory of the young. Not directly relevant but the same applies to sport like swimming , golf and riding a bike. A child will learn these and never forget for the rest of their lives. Try teaching a 40 year old to ride a bike and you will know what I mean! I was told “get a teacher”- they have made all the mistakes and will give you the benefit of their distilled wisdom. Mike my teacher is classically trained but v good- he had a band of his own. I told him that I was a Ford Escort and not a Ferrari and he changed his style to suit. Now they say those who can do and those who can’t teach but this is not strictly true. There are those who can teach and those who can’t. You are in my opinion in the first group. Now to my story. I always wanted to play Shadows music - in my opinion one of the best guitar instrumental bands of all time.Well guys I can now play the lead in “Apache” their first tune to hit the chart. Oh my word it was thrilling and felt so good. After I finished I have to say I clenched my fist Tiger Wood style and said “Y E S “ . It felt like I had sunk a 40 foot putt on a up sloping green at the Masters.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

haha i love your story and your imagery!! i think we all start out as ford escorts! 😂i'm so glad you got to experience the amazing feeling of working really hard at something and then accomplishing your goal!! to go from not having ANY musical experience at all to playing "apache" successfully is quite a feat!! congratulations on that! although i agree that it's easier for children to pick up on new things, it's still extremely possible for someone older to learn as well! so i would encourage you to try other instruments, if you still feel like you want to. i didn't mention this in my video, but my mom actually started learning violin at the same time as my brother and i because she had this idea that she would be able to help us along the way. it turns out, my brother and i were learning much faster than she was so she ended up quitting since we didn't need her help as much as she thought we would! anyway, thank you for complimenting my teaching ability. i feel like it's one of the only skills i have that is valuable to other people so i really feel validated whenever someone thinks i'm doing a good job. it really pushes me to continue making more videos so thank you! ❤️

[@techboomer9716]

for3v3rfaithful Thank you so much for your comment and compliment!

[@ModernKaveman]

You are amazing! What a musical journey! Loved hearing your story. I actually started on violin too (back in 6th grade) because I really wanted to play guitar but my school didn’t offer guitar lessons. They however did offer orchestra and I figured violin was a stringed instrument like a guitar and I thought I’d learn the violin and then jump right into guitar at some point. Didn’t quite work that way. This and that happened and life gets in the way and in short, I still aspire to play the guitar admirably someday. I’ll keep practicing! So thank you for inspiring through your videos. PS: it is hard to believe you were ever socially awkward. You come across so well on your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@for3v3rfaithful]

That's so sweet - thank you for the vote of confidence, but I think coming off on camera is way different than having to actually talk to real people that are in front of you. 🙈😂 But I'm so glad to hear you're giving guitar another try! 🙌 I have to admit, there's not too much from violin that transfers over, BUT you will have the very nice advantage of already having callouses formed, which means pressing down on the strings to form chord shapes should come much less painfully for you! 🎸 Good luck with your journey, and thank you for watching! 🥰

[@ModernKaveman]

@@for3v3rfaithful you are very welcome! Thank you for the encouragement! Yeah, I am going to have to build those callouses up again (I took a break 😞) But hopefully not as painful as the first time. I look forward to the journey nonetheless and I look forward to your videos! 🙂

[@n0041305a]

i watch you every week keep up the good work

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Aww thank you so much! 🥰

[@hybur4169]

You are truly the cutest and nicest person ever, thank you for all those guitar tutorials🎸 you're the best❤️

[@for3v3rfaithful]

thank you so much for watching them! ❤️

[@SKRILLAONMYMIND]

Trying to learn to play myself so this was very helpful!

[@lindathompson195]

Thank you Ellen that was very helpful. You are very talented. It’s amazing how you found out so young that you loved music. I see you have lots of patience. It paid off all those years you kept practicing and kept learning more and more. Now you are a teacher sharing your talents with all of us. Thank you. I am 74 and I keep practicing but I mostly play for myself. I have tried other instruments as well such as violin keyboard banjo mandolin which is a lot like violin 🎻. I try to sing along with guitar which I realize is like a instrument that takes practice.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

wow that's a lot of instruments! congratulations on your efforts linda! i'm really glad my parents started me on music when i was so young because it's honestly played such a big role in shaping who i am today and i couldn't think of who i would be now without it! thanks so much for watching my videos and i'm glad you've been finding them helpful! yes, guitar takes lots of patience especially when it comes to things like memorizing chord shapes and learning to transition faster, but it's so worth it in the end! best of luck in your music journey and hope to continue seeing you on my videos! ❤️

[@mariocastrillo5801]

you really start a fire in me, i will learn somehow with you...

[@samkzz9148]

Amazing story Ellen.. thank you for sharing.. i play fingerstyle guitar too and i wanna learn keyboard too but i always have this fear that i would probably suck at piano🤣 . Like you said playing with both hands is kinda difficult... I normally play solos because i suck at singing 🤣...

[@aspenx1304]

Absolutely amazing what learning one thing can lead to. You learned to read music and it openend a whole new world with new endless adventures. I absolutely love your journey, thank you for sharing them with us. Im learning piano and Cello along with Guitar. I started in 4th grade in music playing violin, then moved on to Clarinet, Sax & flute, and now Guitar, Cello, and piano. Its amazing what music can do and where it leads. I can totally relate to your journey. You are incredibly patient and have an amazing amount of preserverence.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

me??? you have much more perseverance!! that is a lot of instruments you can play!! you could literally make a one woman band!! 😂but yes i agree, the violin was like my gateway into the incredibly personal, emotional, healing world of music. ❤️

[@gtrplyrgrl512]

Sometimes the better teachers are the ones who minimize theory and maximize learning to play, sing, and enjoy songs. Many well-known guitarists do not know theory. They wow their audiences because they have a musical voice that listeners enjoy and are inspired by. Sadly, many people who wanted to learn guitar quit because they were first taught scales, not songs. I enjoy your page because your teaching style is simple and deliberate. You teach just the way you learned. That simplicity works for me, even though I know some theory. Keep on being the authentic player and teacher you are! BTW... I once owned a Martin 000-15M. On my journey to finding the “perfect” guitar for my body, hands, and the sound I was looking for, I bought and traded many brands to experiment. I finally found what fits my body, hands, and ears-a Rainsong carbon fiber. But, I now wish I had kept that Martin... what a sweet, warm instrument. I hope you enjoy playing it!

[@RiffsRhythm]

I would agree but learning Theory in the right way is so valuable. I have met a lot of musicians that know so much theory but can't really play that well. I would teach people to play first then use Theory to make students understand things. Also with Songwriting learning theory can take you into some interesting places!

[@Errk2G]

I just started about a month ago. You helped me alot. I also learned alotta fun stuff from Marty. Both of you are my teachers 😁. I mostly watch your videos for acoustic and Marty for electric. I gotta give you the edge on Marty cause your alot prettier. 🤣

[@for3v3rfaithful]

I love watching Marty's videos! 🙌 Thank you for giving me a chance and learning from my videos as well. 🥰 I'm so glad you're having fun playing guitar! 🥳

[@METALAFFLICTION]

Awesome video as always Ellen thanks for the encouragement and thanks for the inspiration. In my opinion having instruments instead of friends was a far better choice. I chose friends instead and let me say I would take back all that wasted time in a heart beat. I always wanted to learn an instrument which has always been drums for me. Music has always been a therapy to me and I wouldn't want to live without it. I grew up in a poor family so instruments wasn't really an option and my father was one who would rather you spend all your time on sports. I got a drum kit finally 4 years ago which was awesome but I had awful neighbors so again couldn't play. That instrument to me seems like it always has some dumb roadblock. So I haven't learned them yet. I picked up my brothers electric 2 months ago and fell in love. I haven't put it down since. ❤

[@eseniajimenez4135]

So I started picking up guitar recently (I’ve always wanted to play but I finally got the courage to buy a guitar and start practicing) and I chose the Yousician app which teaches you a lot of basics that were useful but I wanted to start playing actual songs specifically Good Riddance and your tutorial was the only one that helped me get through the whole song. My first instrument was flute back in elementary school but it was a borrowed instrument and I never got one of my own so I didn’t continue practicing flute. But I appreciate you and your tutorials and stories! Keep doing you! ☺️

[@irritated.paintbrush]

Ellen you are such an inspiration🌟🌟🌟 also share your songwriting process🙌

[@for3v3rfaithful]

that video is in the queue! i just have to find a time to sit down and film it. 🤗

[@VibesPhotography]

Thank you again for another amazing video. You’re on my daily routine agenda and those kind of video’s are also very Nice to see! It’s like you say... grab a coffee, some snacks, some chips and enjoy the story! You have to do this more often. I like the concept. Amazing that you learned yourself how to play the Guitar! I think most of the people who arrive on your page are in the same situation. I learned it myself thx to my on-line teacher Ellen. She’s amazing ❤️ I finished my bag of chips 😱

[@for3v3rfaithful]

haha this video is so long i should've warned you guys to have at least 2 bags! 😂 i'm glad you enjoyed this more relaxed, low-key video! i'd gotten the question enough times that i thought other people might be interested as well. thanks so much for watching and for all your support over the years bart! it doesn't go unnoticed and i really appreciate your sweet comments and encouragement! ❤️

[@ruchiisthebest]

Great story you are my the greatest teacher of guitar i wanted to learn guitar i didn't get it in other tutorials but now I am really getting good and I also wanted to write my own songs and please tell me how to read tabs and reading rhythms.

[@gyanloufam]

Hi there, I started learning guitar from 2016 at that time I didn't know anything even the basics, but luckily i found you on youtube along with other guitar tutorials vlogger and started learning the basic chords, how to transition etc currently now things becomes easy and I have learnt a lot and i can say play some really cool song easily but at starting point it was hard, looking back I smile at the moment I struggled and thinking you as my personal mentor 😊 !! Thank you for everything Ps: your sincere student

[@for3v3rfaithful]

isn't it crazy to think about how far you've come? when i was filming this, i relived those feelings of being confused and frustrated and it was so funny for me to think back on how nothing made sense when everything was so new! now it's like duh, of course that's what this means but years ago it was completely different! makes you appreciate the work you put in. 🤗

[@gyanloufam]

for3v3rfaithful yeah exactly at the beginning each and every moves and new skills and effort i put it was like yeahh i made some improvement but now its like oh ok 🤣 but hey anyways thank you once again for all your tutorial videos it helped me a lot 😊

[@chariquiambao102]

Thank you for sharing. Listening to your story is like listening about my own progress. Though it has only been 2 yrs learning for me. I think you do a fantastic job teaching us how to play. I really appreciate the breakdown of songs. Hope to keep seeing tutorials from you!

[@for3v3rfaithful]

thank you so much! i'm glad you were able to relate to my story, i'm sure everyone must feel the same emotions at times! i plan to continue with my posting schedule of new tutorials every friday and that means this friday is no exception! 😉

[@anjalidave]

Wow! love to hear your story....thank u for sharing. Plz to a video regarding tabs and musical notes.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

i've thought about starting a music theory 101 series on my channel before, so maybe i can revisit that idea! thanks for the feedback! 🤗

[@anjalidave]

@@for3v3rfaithful that was an amazing idea m happy u will think abt it.... Lots of love ❤️ n the way u teach is amazing keep going

[@ayshamahdan4787]

LOOOOOOOVE YOUUU!

[@Tanveersingh99]

i wonder why you re so underated on youtube...you deserve more subscribers. its may be the best guitar journey i have ever heard...your story motivated me so much as you learnt guitar when there were no internet, not much resources...this made be believe that i learn very easily. lots of love from India🌈🌈

[@for3v3rfaithful]

it's definitely a lot different nowadays! there are so many helpful resources available at our fingertips, and they're almost all FREE! 🙌 but i really think learning from books and other physical pages has its own sort of charm. 😊 thanks for listening to my guitar journey, and allowing me to be a part of yours! 💕

[@coscorrodrift]

The last minute even though it's the last thing you say, it's IMO the most important thing!!! I'm gonna tell my story later in this comment so it'll become clearer why I say it, but having motivation, having fun, enjoying playing guitar, enjoying how it sounds, from strumming a super clean G chord, to nailing a hard picking pattern, to learning your favorite song, you gotta find something that makes it click! If you have that, and you have the conviction that learning scales is how you can get the skills to master your favorite song, you'll go learn scales lmao Amazing story, love listening to you! I usually watch everything on youtube except car videos and music stuff at 2x speed so I'm glad this is a music thing! hahaha. your way of speaking is so clear and so insightful, i could listen to you for hours!! I'm always reticent to subscribe to channels like yours (I've mainly checked out your Taylor Swift covers, and don't really want to be notified for other random tutorials lmao) but i'll make an exception with yours. Plus i bet you have great taste in music lmao i started with classical training in guitar and music theory and such, but I didn't fully like a lot of things. scales as you said, and I really didn't understand what chords were about, to me it felt kinda dumb just practicing chords, and i rarely could practice every day, and barely more than 15 minutes. But practicing was doing scales, doing finger exercises, and then some songs towards which i had no connection. My guitar teacher used to ask me "but why do you want to learn, what songs or styles do you want to play", and I was very unsure about everything. I was socially awkward too but i preferred videogames or cars to playing music so a little before college i quit guitar. plus in my case, i started at the same time as my brother, but I was the older one, so when I was 2 years older than him I had worse level hahhaha. Never asked him why he pushed through but he kept playing and he's very good now. He stopped with acoustic and went into electric, he chose what he wanted to learn much better than I did. And he played a TON. Hours and hours. And it sounded like he was having fun. Also because of what I said about being classically trained, whenever I tried to learn tabs, I struggled with them too! I still think it's a dumb way of explaining music, but it's so convenient tbh that i give it a pass hahaha. And sadly, unlike you, even though I was trained (and for a lot of time lmao, 5-7 years I think) i am not good at all with rhythm hahaha. i love music but I'm cursed. Nothing that a metronome can't cure tho (i hope) And finally, as a suggestion, I would say that if you haven't made it yet, that you make a video around the basics of music theory, harmony... the thing you learn once your past the very basics like reading sheet music. I was taught all that but I've forgotten most of it, I barely remember keys and stuff like the circle of fifths. I know there's probably one trillion videos about the circle of fifths and about how to learn what a key is but hearing you talk about how you learned through the disney book and through you trying to find the chords that go well with the music in your head really makes me curious about how you would go about explaining that. Or something that makes chords make more sense, how stuff like the "add9" and the "sus4" makes those chords sound better or if Taylor just uses them for positioning and for keeping those ring and little finger still. Or going into why the chords in your training cards go together. And if you have something like a "how to master the fretboard" thing, not sure if you're good with improvisation/soloing, but i assume some of that is needed to compose music, a video with your perspective on that would be amazing too.

[@Marco-ht5ys]

Hey so I just got recommended your death bed tutorial and first thought “oh why not watch it? Even though I know how to play it.” I then realized you were foreverfaithful aka one of the first channels I watched on my guitar journey. It’s great to Hera your story now and I’m thankful you were part of my journey, I’ve only been playing for 2 years (coming up on 3 though) and recently felt like I haven’t made much progress but seeing this makes me realize I have come farther. I remember my first year I was just learning chords and knew tabs because I had taught myself ukulele. I loved watching all your tutorials and singing my favourite songs, and it’s crazy to think that was a year ago. Now I’m playing tablature and trying to arrange myself. Still great to see you’re still making tutorials, I’m not too into learning chords anymore so I’m sorry to say I won’t subscribe again but I may pop in and see this channel to remember where I started.

[@noranyein6388]

I got my first guitar on my 15th birthday as a gift from my mom, it was so first time even I didn't get anything about how to play guitar and about strings on it, but I was really passionate about guitar ,so I started learning on my own day by day. I got so much hurt on my fingertips and it was so challenging to play, after 1 month I just gave up and I was like "okk I can't do it anymore" .But after 5 months I was into guitar again after hearing someone's playing guitar and she was singing, I thought like "I should try again" cuz her music motivated me for more tries. By that time, I was so happy cuz I could play a song , after I started play more songs till today. After hearing your story about your music journey it inspires me a lot again for moving to advance, thank you so much for your video, It really helps me 🤩🤩❣❣

[@for3v3rfaithful]

I'm so glad to hear you picked it back up again! 🤗 If you stay motivated and practice often, you'll be rocking at it soon enough and playing all sorts of songs! 🎸🎶 Thank you for watching my videos and sharing your story! 💕

[@andymoss3132]

Dig the shirt. Think your folks were disappointed that you went on to playing the guitar more? Shy, I'd guess a social butterfly. I played saxophone in school band for 3 years got away from it after 9th grade. Always wanted to play guitar, I broke hip at work in an accident November last year and I started getting cabin fever few months ago and decided to order a guitar while I had time on my hands. And come across your channel, best thing I have done. Addicted now have 3 guitars lol. Enjoyed your vlog.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

haha that's awesome that you've found such a joy from learning guitar in such a short time! you have as many guitars as i do now! 😜my parents have always been supportive of my love for music so i don't think they were disappointed when i started learning guitar, but would gently remind me to play the violin sometimes too. 😂they're very proud of what i've been able to build here on youtube so i'd say they're probably glad i snuck into my brother's room all those years ago! also, definitely not a social butterfly, which is ironic because that's literally my channel logo. and the shirt is from my merch store! 😉thanks for watching my videos and sharing your story with us!

[@kurt1338]

Hi, I love your tutorials. I am working on the metornome for changing chords tutorial. Like yourself the guitar isn't my first instrument. I started out on the violin but I quickly changed to piano when I was child. I got rather good at the piano and I loved playing Bach, but about 2 years ago, I got a life threatening illness and after two months of being in the hospital I finally was released to the care of my brother. I had a myriad of complications, like my left hand being paralyzed and d brain damage, to make a long story short ( which maybe too late) I picked up the guitar to try to get my left hand working again and to help me recover from the brain damaged that I suffered during my hospital stay. It is working, and my left hand is almost completely recovered. Keep up the good work and thank you sharing your history with us. Everyone has a history to share and it is very interesting. Thank You. Kurt

[@for3v3rfaithful]

hi kurt! thank you so much for watching my videos and for taking the time to tell me your story. i'm sorry to hear about whatever caused the hospitalization, but i'm glad you're in good hands now and that's so exciting to be picking up the guitar! not only is it perfect for you to practice regaining strength in your left hand, but i honestly think music (and especially playing music) is so therapeutic. when i was younger, there was a time i thought about getting a degree in music and music therapy because i feel so strongly about its healing ability. but i decided to go the teaching route instead (which incidentally worked out for me anyway!) best of luck to you as you continue to learn guitar and i hope to see you around on my videos and channel so we can learn more together! ❤️

[@kurt1338]

@@for3v3rfaithful Hi, thanks for responding to my message. The reason that I went into the hospital, since you seemed interested; I went into the hospital because I was diagnosed with an complex Type B aortic dissection. After 2 days of talking to the nurses and family, I fell into a coma .Then I contracted pneumonia and had to be intubated; then it progressed to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome(ARDS). then I had Kidney failure and put on dialysis and then brain damage (they called it Encephalopathy, probably hoping that I wouldn't know what that meant), but I did because of hypoxemia. I almost died. When I went back to ICU ward where I was hospitalized before, the nurses said that I was essentially dead. I don't know what that meant, because I am still alive. But that's how I got my paralyzed left hand. But it is almost back to normal after 2 years and my thinking seems to be coming back to normal. But thanks for your tutorials. I'll keep on viewing them. I thought you were a music teacher. I was thinking she's teaching us for free. But thank you again. Sincerely, Kurt

[@khyatisingh8977]

If ur channel wouldnt have existed....i would have given up on guitar!.....but u do exist...yayyyyy

[@aspenx1304]

Hey, i need that deck of cards. That is WAY cool !!!

[@for3v3rfaithful]

just found out they don't make them anymore!! 😭😭😭