Chovynz, DH is self-taught too. And it took him years to build up the disgusting calluses on his fingertips from finger-picking -- but now they're there, and if he goes for too long without playing, they get soft again and he has to grit his way through a practice session. He did time in a band in high school as well, so I suppose this is a return to that dream, a good decade-and-a-bit later.

I can understand your feeling down about your skills, especially when your formal training is minimal, but I think you have to decide what you want from making music. Pure pleasure? A career? To record a couple of songs for your child? A sense of accomplishment? To play for an audience? To entertain the family at reunions? A mixture of those? Maybe once you can pinpoint what you actually get from your love of music, or what you want to get from it, you can use that as a starting point for committing time and energy to it. 

Chovynz wrote: I play guitar, drums, keyboard. Neither of them very well. I do mostly digital music. Music is in my blood but I haven't developed the skill very much.

You sound like my DH, Chovynz... he always puts himself down, when his music is actually really good. I bet you're much better than you give yourself credit for! By the way, DH is looking for a drummer or bassist for his band... In case you feel like pursuing the music thing further...

It's tonight, kezplanet -- and I am more nervous than he is! Thanks for asking! I will let you know when it's over...

Heehee, I am pretty excited for him, Sterryn! He's playing someplace in Ponsonby called Grand Central. I can't go (babysitter is sick) but the outlaws are going to be there to give him support. He's in a band -- well, sort of, it's just him and a singer -- and they're hoping to do open mics every fortnight or so, to get more experience. He's got this great song called "Wrecking Ball" that I've been singing in the shower, I love it so much. Cross your fingers and toes for him!

DH plays guitar and composes -- he's finished 6 songs and has about 30 more in various stages on the go. He's playing his first open mic night tomorrow night.  What do you play, Chovynz?