Most of us began our careers or advocations by just being around music and musicians.

Play before people as much as possible. Volunteer to play at rest homes, child-care centers, churchs, school functions, PTA, senior citizen functions, parks, outdoors by a pier or on a street corner, and ask about open microphone nights in coffee shops. Since you are in Los Angeles, go to McCab's Guitar shop and talk to the clerks there. Jam with ANYONE, good or bad you can find; always have your guitar with you. Pick up riffs when you can.

We have had some good threads in the past; Rick, Hull, Sue, Seed, Harp, Joe, can you point the kid towards one?