Hi my name is Brandon.
I currently work and live in Shanghai, China as a High School English teacher.
About a decade and a half ago, I went to school at what's now called McNally Smith College of Music in Minneapolis, Mn and majored in guitar performance. I then got a gig to play in a variety band that toured the American South and play for U.S. soldiers in South Korea for 9 months. But that was a looong time ago it seems.
Music never lost its importance in my life, but I went back to school and became an ESL educator. I tried to balance the desire to play with the necessity to study and learn my teaching craft, but didn't always do a good job. I ended up with major wrist and tennis elbow problems because of all the stress I unconsciously put into typing out research papers and overdoing it on the guitar. So, I had to let the guitar go for 5+ years.
It feels (and sounds) like I am starting over.
That is a good place to be, perhaps, because I can be more deliberate in rebuilding my technique so that there isn't so much tension and consequential sloppiness in my playing. I can also be more mindful of the music. I am thinking GMC is a good place to begin again.
Right now, I only have a Chinese strat-like guitar with a HSS configuration.
I am searching for direction on this website. There's so many options that look good, but I am not sure what is good for me. I tend to be someone who likes to work with a plan and a sense of direction. I have a very busy schedule due to the teaching I am engaged in, but I am looking to create a practice and playing regimine that is wholistic practical and fun. I appreciate all kinds of guitar styles and all genres of music. I'd appreciate any advice on how to get started on getting the most out of this site and the best out of my practice time. I am also very interested in ideas about how to make sure I don't end up with wrist and arm problems again.
Brandon