Ever sit back and think to yourself “Man, that John sure does know how to play the guitar“?  If so, then I suggest that you reduce the amount of pain medication that you take during the day.

On the other hand, if you’ve ever thought “John sure does stink, but I can’t play at all, so who am I to judge? ” then fear not…you’re on the fast track to learn to play as crappy as I do.

I first “learned” to “play” guitar when I was in college.  My roommate, Lones, had a guitar that he left laying around the apartment while he was off wooing his girlfriend (now his wife).  Since my girlfriend (now my wife) was completely aware that I had no personality, I had no need in wooing her.  Thus, I picked up the guitar and started fiddling around with it.  The best source of free instruction that I could find was the magical internet and the googles.  And, since you can believe anything you read on the internet, my career as a musician took flight.

So, with no formal training, I slowly began to figure out how to play the acoustic guitar.  I couldn’t read notes or tabs, but I did have access to tons of chords for songs, tons of chord charts, and a lot of time.  Eventually, I was strumming and singing out of tune to melodies that my wife could not decipher.

When the youth minister of our church departed in 2002, there was a need for someone who could play the guitar.  Unfortunately, I was all they had.  My big moment on the stage was very useful in helping lead worship because a lot of students prayed that I’d stop playing.

Since that time, I’ve been able to play with some pretty talented people.  They’ve even been able to stop laughing at me long enough to help give me a few pointers.  (And then resume laughing.)  I am by no means a good guitar player, but I can strum rhythm enough to play a barely noticeable song.

So what does that mean for you, my loyal reader?  Behold, now I offer you a link that discusses learning to learn how to play instruments on-line.  It primarily deals with the guitar and the piano, but I’m sure someone out there is offering instructions for the glockenspiel or the pan flute.  So, go ahead. Pick an instrument. Surf the web.  In no time, you’ll be just as good as I am at making your dogs howl.