Congratulations to this month’s Student of the Month, Alistair! Alistair was nominated by his instructor Kelli for his progress, focus, and creativity while learning guitar!
We talked to Alistair and his mom about how he got interested in music, his favorite songs, future goals, and more! Check out some interview highlights below, and be sure to watch our full video interview for more from Alistair and his mom!
How did you get started with guitar?
My favorite artist is either Twenty One Pilots, Imagine Dragons, or The Beatles. I listened to a lot of Beatles songs and I thought to myself “What if I could play guitar?” Then I asked my parents if I could play guitar and they said yes because I had never played an instrument before.
How have you progressed since you started lessons?
At first it was quite easy. I thought it was only like picking certain notes in an order. Then it got a little harder and I realized that is what made it fun. I have progressed a lot! I have gone from single-picking to doing full chords, some barre chords, and entire songs. It feels great! I am really embraced with music now.
I am definitely not done with guitar. I want to master it. I want to expand my horizons and listen to as many artists as I can.
How do you like learning with your instructor, Kelli?
It’s fun! She’s very kind. She takes things slow and makes sure we are on the right path at the right pace. Whenever I feel like I want to move over to a different thing for a bit, she lets me do that. She lets me be creative for myself. I’ve learned “Starman,” “Champs-Élysées,” “Aeroplane Over the Sea,” “Hazy Shade of Winter,” “Eleanor Rigby,” Yellow Submarine,” and “Across the Universe.” I mostly get all my songs from my parents. It’s the moment of “I can play the song that I like!” I feel accomplished with myself and it just feels good to know how to play a new song.
How does it feel to come this far with guitar? What are your goals?
I feel very accomplished that I’ve come this far from the start. I am definitely not done with guitar. I want to master it. I want to expand my horizons and listen to as many artists as I can. I want to find out what music is really all about. The greatest styles of music. The best people that play music. I also want to make sure that I can play almost anything. That I could be good enough that I can teach. I love guitar. I love it a lot!
