To learn an instrument, I think you really need to start young. If you’re forty years old and pick up a guitar, I don’t think you’re gonna be able to play the B.B. King licks. You have to spend more time with that guitar than you do with your wife. That’s why I’m by myself now. I had to come up with a divorce, because my wife would tell me, “You’re putting too much time into the guitar and ain’t givin’ me none.” And I said, “You go, I’m keepin’ my guitar.”
– Buddy Guy – Rolling Stone interview 2005
3 replies on “Quote of the Year – Buddy Guy”
I totally agree with Buddy Guy. Having taught guitar/bass for seventeen plus years, the students who always have the most success are the young ones. As you get older life gets in the way…too much pulling you in different directions.
I started playing guitar when I was 14 years old and spent hours everyday in my room learning by ear how to mimic what I heard my guitar heroes playing, and taking lessons to learn the fundamentals. Eventually my time was spent jamming along to records (yes, actual LP’s on a turntable). There was one guitar magazine around at the time, but no internet to access sheet music, tabs or on-line lessons.
Having a partner who supports and digs what you do musically is a good thing.
Actually, I wanted to note what he said to his wife. 😉
Yeah, I got that…..I won’t touch that comment!