So this has been asked before but it's been a while and we have a whole new crop of aficionados in the group.

What made you decide to pursue the instrument you consider to be your main instrument?

My story: I started on piano lessons at the age of 7. I continued piano through 2 different teachers for quite a few years. I think I was somewhere around 14 years old when I stopped the piano lessons.

At some point in school, they came around offering band instruments to those interested in music. Due to the fact that drums were the least expensive.... a pair of sticks and a practice pad.... that's what my mom decided would be good for me. I stayed with the drums up through high school and was in the orchestra and the marching band. I missed one too many marching band events and was thrown out of the band. Goal achieved!
At the age of around 10, I became interested in the guitar from hearing the councilors at a summer camp playing Dylan songs. So began my journey into the world of 6 strings. I was practicing the guitar several hours daily and spending maybe 20 minutes on the piano lesson of the week. That resulted in my piano teacher at the time suggesting that the lessons from her was a waste of time and money. I continued to spend countless hours playing and learning songs and eventually, joined a couple of bands that were full time bands. Making a living playing music was something I did for a number of years. When the touring bands ended, I was not in any band for a while. Then one day, in a new town, I got a call and an invite to help start a house band gig. That band had some of the best players I've had the pleasure of sharing a stage with. We had that gig for a full two and a half years and had a good time. At the end of that band was when I started thinking seriously about building a studio and writing and recording my original music.

So that's how I came to play the guitar. I still dabble in the piano, and have a set of virtual drums that are nothing but e-sticks...(another story for another day).

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.