Lifelong Learning

I recently began taking mandolin lessons after years of playing by ear and with the aid of some Indigo Girls songbooks. I'm learning some specific old time bluegrass tunes, but I'm also figuring out some things about myself.

1. It is a huge challenge to learn in a new way. I had an insane amount of resistance to teaching myself a previously unknown (to me) song by reading tabulature instead of listening to a recording or having someone show me how to play it. Two weeks went by, with me glaring at the written music every so often and saying, "No! I can't learn this way!!" Well, it turns out I can. It's just harder than I would like it to be.

2. I will probably never be one of those people who thinks they are too old to learn something new. I can't imagine running out of things I'd love to learn more about. This sometimes makes setting a specific goal a challenge. What about all the other things I want to pursue? What about all the other songs in this folder??

3. I often forget about the resources that are out there. I don't have to do it all alone.

4. It is much more fun to learn (and PLAY) with company. :)