21 Problems All Guitarists Share

It's not all sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll; but that's usually a good thing.

By Hannah Spencer /

The guitar is arguably the best musical instrument. It€™s portable, it€™s versatile, and - most importantly - it€™s really cool. Yet despite being the best member of any band (back off, vocalists), being a guitarist comes with its own unique set of problems. People who don€™t play guitar (norms/normies/muggles) have some really strange ideas of what playing the guitar really is about. Not only that, but the guitar is potentially the only instrument where those who can play half a chord think that they can call themselves guitarists. There€™s nothing as infuriating as mentioning you play guitar and being asked, €œoh, so can you play Wonderwall?€ The answer may be yes, but really, does anybody even listen to Oasis anymore and, if so, do they really want the awkward caterwauling of some kid who owns a capo doing it? If you can't play a song on request, you€™re treated like a talentless leper who€™s only using the guitar as a cunning plan to get laid (that€™s only partially accurate). The range that a guitar has to offer is often ignored in favour of bland pop-rock, and so blasting out some furious flamenco tends to be a fairly lonely activity. Anyone who plays an instrument tends to border on obsession with it, but guitarists generally take it further. With the choice of guitar models, pedals, amps, and other excellent accessories, it€™s no wonder. Playing guitar is the best but we all have our struggles, so here are the key problems that (nearly) every guitarist will experience.