How old were you when you started playing? And what was the motivation?

[trek1500]

When I was 9 I saw John Lennon playing his 12 string Framus Hootenanny in the movie "Help". He was playing "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" and I was hooked! I immediately begged my parents for a guitar and stopped taking violin lessons....

All I wanted to do was be in a band like the Beatles! That was my motivation..

[gomotigers]

I was 21 and wanted to impress a girl. The end.

[HankTheDrifter]

I have been a life long music lover from as early as I can remember. I have always dreamed of learning to play the guitar. And even had a couple of el-cheapo First Act electrics and a pawn shop acoustic growing up. But never learned to play them at all. Decided a couple weeks ago at the ripe old age of 20 (a week away from 21) it was time to learn to play the guitar. So I researched guitars, went out and held a few, heard them played by some good musicians, and decided on a Takamine GD20NS. And I'm planning on staying with it as long as my hands and mind allow me to continue playing.

So basically, 20 years old, and because I've been a life long music lover and had a dream of learning to play as long as I can remember.

[fatt-dad]

9 maybe? Just keeping up with my older sisters who were caught up in the folk scene. I'm sure my first song was, "Puff the Magic Dragon" followed shortly thereafter by tunes from that era toward CSN.

I've always had music in my life though. I'm strictly motivated by the therapy and fellowship. I like to work up songs too, rarely perform them though. I"m always working up duets though, I just play the mandolin and my duet buddy plays guitar (fingerstyle DADGAD mostly).

My only concern is my finger joints holding up as long as the rest of me. . . It's been quite a few decades by now, but you'd never know by listening - ha!

f-d

[Godfather]

58....it's been on my bucket list since my mid 20's.
Maybe before I kick the bucket I will be good enough to be considered a guitar player.

[three4rd]

8...started on a 3/4 size guitar. Started clarinet shortly after that, and then eventually picked up organ and piano - basically self-taught on these.

[Bear Davis]

13 years old

Metallica and Eric Clapton

Now I'm 35... and fairly certain I am still on the younger side of this forum

[Glennwillow]

In 1964 I was 16 and wanted to make music like Peter, Paul and Mary. My mother encouraged me to do it. She recognized how I reacted to music when my father didn't. I've always been grateful.

- Glenn

[Hyoung]

5th grade, I got the bug from my dad so I come by it honestly. First I begged to get his old slingerland drum set out of the attic, then spent hours playing to James Taylor and Chicago records. Had my first paying gig in 6th grade. Switched to guitar and piano in 9th grade because I was growing tired of Zepplin and Hendrix (hard to imaging that now!). Went through the whole acoustic phase with CS&N + Neil, America, Doobie Bros, etc. still love that stuff. Holland.

[broken thumb]

17. I got a part in a play that required me to learn three songs.

I was already a musician, though, and had wanted to learn since I was very small.

[j3ffr0]

When I was 14 I attended a church youth group. There I saw a guy play the electric guitar. I could not believe how cool it sounded. That dude was my initial inspiration. Soon I had a cheap electric guitar and amp of my own. I just wanted to do what sounded good to me. I never thought I'd be any good. All that scheming to play in bands to try to get girls to like me came later.

[sidneystreet]

I was 10 years old.

Seeing amazing guitarists like Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, and Roy Clark on TV was the impetus for me learning guitar.

[ewalling]

15. I'd already dabbled with instruments - the trumpet with school lessons and the flute self-taught because I was a Tull fan. The guitar was just the instrument at the center of contemporary music, and no other, really, would do.

[Bridgepin]

17 and girls.......And it worked

[liltiki]

Cat Stevens and his super cool Ovation!