Since I Was 5 years old I've had a guitar, either in my lap or at hand. About 40 years of this were spent accustically banging out frestyle by ear playing. No formal training. For the last 6 years I've stepped up my passion for learning music in theory. Many of my friends told me it would ruin my ear. I had a very close friend tell me (Brilliant Jazz Musician since passed) it would only expand my universe. At that pace I was locking myself out of many areas of music that are truly my passion. I have loved Jazz since I first heard Basie, Pass and many others many years ago. I always thought it would be impossible for me to do anything like that.

Having to work to support my "Guitar Habit" it is most difficult to nail down lessons as I work overnight with an erratic schedule. I cruise the net frequently to find online courses and have tired many. Some live, some with video, a few personalized. None kept my intrest and really didn't seem to go in the direciton I wanted. One day in my google search I found "Play What You Hear"! This struck my interest as I hear music and sound all the time, (no really all the time. I hear music and tempo in everything). So I bought it. I could go on about the process of breaking old habits and learning to focus, this took a great deal of time, but I think anyone who has made a step to grow understands the frustration that goes with that territory and would be chapters I'll spare you from here.

Chris Standring's course has changed my life. Not only in opening up to my dream of playing and perfoming, but the focus it takes to study and keep on learning every day. At 51 years old, I finally have focus. Looking at perfomers like Joe Pass, BB King and many others, I think there is time left for me to be a performer and share, with some that would listen, the story I have to tell with Music. After all, it all comes from the soul, and it's all a story. It's all around us all the time... You just have to listen.