So... I wrote this great post the other day and then, didn't actually post it before my computer crashed. Dang - hate it when that happens. Took me a while to rewrite it because well, it's sort of long. I do apologize. If you want to see the new baby but not read the entire thing, just scroll to the bottom. I have a hard time being short and sweet - tend to be a bit of a storyteller.

Anyway...

I got my first guitar when I was in grade 6. That year, we had done some "choose your own workshops" at school and, I chose guitar. I was already a singer and was taking piano lessons but, thought learning to play guitar would be cool. Turns out as well that my homeroom grade 6 teacher was the one teaching the class. I have NO idea where she got the guitars from but, about a dozen of us all gathered around a couple of times a week for about a month and learned to play some very basic chords.

In June, for my birthday, Mrs. Stephenson gave me her guitar. It was an old slightly-beaten up Yamaha with a tiny crack in the side. I didn't care - I LOVED it! I kept in touch with Mrs. S (although we lost touch about 12 years ago). She told me once that she felt she had to give me the guitar because she just knew that I would become a musician and a teacher (she had another one at home too).

Anyway, I digress. Home it went and I "taught myself" how to play. I had learned how to read chord charts and I got really good at just strumming and, of course, singing along. I played it a lot. It came to every single Girl Guide event with me (handy for campfires) and I learned how to play all the Guide songs. I even figured out how to transpose things into keys I could play (this was before I knew how to use a capo) - I avoided all things F like the plague. It came to camp with me when I was Waterfront Staff. You name it. I wasn't very good but, I played it a lot.

One day, my brother's friend got a hold of it. When I got home the "tiny little crack" went all the one down one side of the body from the neck almost to the bottom. I was devastated! In steps my mom. Without me even knowing, my mom found me a new guitar. She didn't realize that the one I had could be fixed (and neither did I) so, she traded it in - bless her heart (and not in the South Carolina way but, really). So for Xmas that year, I got a new guitar - a 12 string!! EEK!! I learned how to tune it and play it but, man it was difficult. SO hard to play. It started collecting dust when I went off to University and I didn't play it much after that.

Fast forward to about 10 years ago. My dad and stepmom heard me say that I wanted to start playing guitar again. So, again as a surprise to me, they bought me a new guitar for Xmas. It definitely wasn't what I would have picked up but well, beggars can't be choosers, right? Pretty sure it was an Eaton's No-name special. I played it though but, again, really hard to play. The action is really high and, not really adjustable. It loses it's tuning pretty quickly. Not enjoyable. So... it started collecting dust. When my son started showing an interest (and I had no money to buy a new one), I gave my guitar to him. Then, since we are both musicians and have lots of guitars at home so, when my current hubby and I merged our families, I would just play his Norman. He's a little protective of his gear though so, I don't touch it very often.

This year, back in March, I decided I wanted my own guitar - that I like to play. So, I did some research. I called friends. I decided I was going to get a Takamine. As you probably all know though, you really need to spend a little time with a guitar in your hands to know it is the "right" one. So, off I went to Toronto during March Break. Made a little trip to Steve's Music on Queen Street. I wish I could remember the name of the guy who helped me out. He was amazeballs!

Anyway, I spent probably about 2 hours or so in the store. I had settled on a price range of $400 - $600. They even had a sale so, lots to choose from. I knew I really wanted a Takamine but figured I should play some others just to be sure. Takamine? Liked how it played. Felt pretty good. Sounded really nice (especially when I wasn't the one playing). I played all of the different models that I could afford. Then I played all of the Yamahas. The Epiphones. The Fenders. Corts. Washburns. If it was acoustic and in my price range I played it. I had settled in on the Takamine after all and then, I noticed this other guitar over on a different rack. I picked it up and, as soon as I held it in my hands, I knew it was the one. Sometimes an instrument just feels "right". It fits my hand perfectly. The action is just right for me. It has a lovely rich sound. Just the one!

So... I welcome my new baby into the family! My new Ibanez - AAD100 OPN!