Boy What a Great Question!!!!

If there is one atonal, no natural talent, struggling person who LOVES music, singing, and playing its me. For years I relegated myself to playing my array of "non-real instruments" (gut bucket, jaw harp, bones...). Then finally, when I was about 35 I decided to heck with it!!!

Now I play autoharp, and I am learning banjo and guitar. After 5 years I should be a virtuoso, but Banjo Bonnie I am not. At least I'm starting to hear chord changes now. I try to sing too because I just can't help myself.

THE MUSIC HAS TO COME OUT SOMEHOW!!!!

What I've found is that just playing for myself and my enjoyment is reward enough. However, the more relaxed I am when playing with others the better I seem to do. Any sort of formal setting or attention and I fall apart. Pass the lead to me and I'm like a deer in headlights. Find a regular event where people play together like friends on a backporch and it will help a lot. The Capital Harpers autoharp club (in D.C.) encouraged me when I needed it. The FSGW monthly sing (though I've only been twice) is the same way. In these settings you will find that it is more like friends having a good time together than performing, and all of a sudden its not work and you're amazed at how much better you are getting.

Anyway, people keep starting out as beginners and passing me up, but I keep chugging along, dancing with bears and keeping myself smiling.

Good luck

JAB

P.S. One thing I have learned is to pick your jams carefully. There are encouraging places to play and learn, but there are also jams and gatherings where a beginner should play quietly on the edges, watch and learn, and not be at the center of the circle.