from Steve Martin
Las Cruces, New Mexico 

Shortly after September 11, 2001 I placed my order for the "Principles".

As I began reading Jamey's book I could barely get from one page to the next without shutting my eyes, leaning my head back, and saying, "Thank God". It was like someone had been watching me and had calmly prepared a journal explaining what I was doing wrong and what I needed to do to start doing it right.

You see, I fell in love guitar when I was 23. That was 1987. I could never be without my cheap six-string. I would learn and play the beginning to songs. But I never got past that.

By the mid nineties I started studying theory and practiced scales relentlessly.

As an engineer, I had purchased a great Fender. I would wake up at 3am and practice 2-hours before work. I would come home and practice 2 to 4-hours after work.

I knew that if I just kept practicing that one day I would wake up and suddenly know how to play like a professional.

Boy was I kidding myself!

By just using the "Principles" for 1 to 2 hours a day I went from being UNABLE TO PLAY to KNOWING HOW TO PLAY SEVERAL SONGS FROM BEGINNING TO END.

I've learned to play Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On", Ozzy (Randy Rhoads) "Diary of a Mad Man", Lynyrd Skynyrds "Sweet Home Alabama".

And I inadvertently learned AC/DC "You Shook Me" just by breaking the monotony of practice by spending 10-minutes a day learning a section of this song.

I've become a dad since then so you can imagine I'm lucky to get 1-hour of practice a day. But it is just getting better. I can really feel the mental barriers falling away as my learning is accelerating.

Imagine your friends amazement as you go through the familiar notes to "Sweet Home Alabama" or any other song you enjoy, and besides the signature melody, you continue on through every subtle variation and interlude that the musicians themselves play and you actually play the solos!

Yeah. It's alright.

Sincerely,
Steve Martin

from Allen Francom, 
Austin Texas

What have the principles done for me ?

Well, being able to operate a guitar probably would not have been possible without the Principles. The challenge of holding the guitar and making notes was difficult, painful, and therefore seemed like an insurmountable challenge, and also made me feel like even if I finally could play something decent I'd never really be "good" at it.

"Wax on, wax off" Remember Mr. Miagi in the Karate Kid ?

For me I look at it like that, after a while with the Principles,
and doing a little waxing, I started feeling like "Wow ! I know kung fu !"

Having now practiced Jamey Andreas' "The Principles" on and off now for over a year as my time allows, I finally found a guitar teacher in my part of the world. My first lesson in-person with a guitar teacher contained several moments like these:

"Wow, your technique is very good."
"Wow, you've never had a teacher before ?"
"Wow, you're doing economy and alternating picking."
- I'm really more a finger-style kinda guy, but principles are
principles. Even with a pick, er, plectrum.

My teacher borrowed "The Principles" and as of the next lesson began to enforce some of the principles that I have been
neglecting. "Where's your metronome ?" < cringe >

Today, when I listen to the radio in the back of my mind a little voice is almost always going "I can do that". Segovia, or "the impossible" is just going to take a little longer, that's all.

Maybe it should be called "Principia Guitarica"

- ooh, what a cool name for a band !  ;)

Sinc,
-Allen Francom

from Bro. Rich Davis, 
Harrisburg, Pa

Hello Jamie,

This is great! An opportunity to bio my guitar life. I'm a 50 year old owner operator of a truck. I have always wanted too play guitar. When I was much younger, I never had the time. I went as far as to purchase a guitar. Then children came, and I eventually lost track of that guitar. After my children all graduated from high school and college. My wife and I began to reexamine our future. Naturally we went down memory lane.

We were so tight on money during that time in our lives. I use too sing to her on her birthdays because gifts were not a priority. In our reevaluation I realized that need too seek personal improvement. I always wanted too play guitar! Now was the perfect time. I didn't want too make this type of purchase without an avenue to learn how to play. I purchased a used Abilene Guitar.

I took lessons and eventually felt he was just going thru the motions with me. I began to get that boring no feed back condition in my life. One day web surfing,  I saw  your advertisement. I thought I'll take a look. I did not purchase right away. I really should have! I just read testimonies.

My wife one day seen me check out your home page and said too me. Darling you are good but, this looks like it focuses on area you have not experienced. Posture, Seat position and so on. Well I can't thank you enough. From the first page I began to improve.

 Then I began too really work on those areas of bad habits you talk about. Every area of my playing has improved immensely. I purchased the path hot off the press. Again I am overjoyed with every area of it.

 I, m presently playing in our church band and sometimes as I play I feel like an innovator. My creativity is off the chart. We are being sought after to play at so many different venues. I really look forward too the newsletters. Checking myself as you continually point out. I just want too say Thank you. From someone on the right PATH. Keep doing what your doing

P.S I'll send you a copy of the CD were working on.
 

 Sincerely,
Bro. Rich Davis

from Le Regalla, 
Pittsburg , Pa  

When you asked what my Principled story was
I wondered, could I be victorious?
The competition's intelligent and prolific
Success stories abound, inspiring and terrific
I thought that a “song” just might fit the bill
And help to convey all the things that I feel

I'm too old to be a musician, that's what I said
A world of excuses filling my head
Whatever I did, it just couldn't make up
For years in an office sitting on my duff
Who wants a middle-aged woman, clutching a guitar
Grey haired, leather skirt, playing in a bar?

I’ve been a geek and a teacher most all of my life
But my creative side was definitely stifled
I was quite skeptical, I must confide
That my love of music could harmonize
With my responsible, logical, money-making hours
I played guitar in my basement and sang in the shower

I stumbled across the Guitar Principles site
While practicing unproductively one night
Searching for a better way to do bar chords
Imagine my surprise when I found much more
The words were Strong, Encouraging, and Capital
And I was won over by the sense of it all

Wow! Here were people, some older than me
Who were turning their dreams into reality
And here's a guy who said, “Anyone can do it!
Here's a system, a method, and stories to prove it!”
I was inspired to learn and made some headway
Read all the newsletters, emails, and essays

I decided to see, what’s the best I can be?
So I took my vacation and went to Jamie
I found learning to Practice was learning to Play
And soon I was joining my friends on the stage
I found a community supporting and conquering fear
A sense of purpose that had been missing for years

So forgive me if I stretched contest rules a bit
But I thought it might be appropriate -
You asked for an essay, you got a song
(Not “American Pie” but almost as long!)
I was looking to end my bar chord strife
And instead I got a new lease on life!

Cool!

Thanks Guitar Principles, Rock On! ;-)
Semper Fun!

     Le