Strings attached

Jake’s been trying to teach me guitar for exactly forty-three minutes and I think I’ve successfully mastered making it sound like a dying cat. He keeps saying things like “press harder” and “curve your fingers” while I’m over here wondering if my hands are actually made of wood.

Strings attached

Apparently there’s a difference between “holding” a guitar and “properly positioning” one, which explains why my back hurts and why every chord sounds like construction noise. Jake has the patience of a saint though - he’s demonstrated the same C chord about fifteen times without even a hint of frustration.

Attempt number seventeen at getting my fingers in the right spots.

Evidence of my progress: I can now make exactly one chord that doesn’t make him wince. Only approximately seven million more to go before I’m anywhere near his level. Good thing he finds my complete lack of musical coordination “endearing” instead of “painful to witness.”