Paul Hubbard is using guitar lessons as physical therapy for a broken wrist.Photo: NGOVOU GYANG

“I’m leaving on a jet plane; don’t know when I’ll be back again,” a group of guitarists sang in a room at Save the Seed Energy Centre on Monday.

Paul Hubbard is using guitar lessons as physical therapy for a broken wrist.Photo: NGOVOU GYANG
The group played so smoothly one would hardly suspect that they were part of a beginners’ guitar class.

The sessions, which cater mostly to adults, began about two years ago, and some of the students have even performed publicly since then, said instructor Diandra Jones.

“The way this class is taught is: We are not going to do theory or read notes or music,” Ms. Jones told newcomers on Monday at the start of her first class since the August holidays.

61-year-old

Sybil Dawkis, who was among the five students, bought her first guitar when she was 49.

“I’m a few weeks from 62,” she said. “At the time I bought it I was going through a major life change, and I thought I’d like to play music for myself.”

However, she didn’t take any formal classes until she began lessons with Ms. Jones.

“It’s not easy for me, but to be honest I don’t practise nearly enough,” Ms. Dawkis said.  “It would be easier if I practised more.”

She appeared to be the eldest student, but she didn’t mind.

“There’s never a time to stop learning as long as you have the interest and the desire,” she said.

The youngest attendee, 16-year-old Cecil Williams, didn’t mind being with older players either.

“They’re just normal people,” said Mr. Williams, who got his guitar in July as a high school graduation gift from his parents. “I’ve always liked rock music, and I’ve always wanted to shred. So I thought I had to start somewhere.”

Many of Monday’s attendees were returning students, but it was Mr. Williams’ first class. Nevertheless, he was ready to hit the ground running: He had spent lots of time over the summer learning the basics on his own.

“I always found the guitar to be a very challenging instrument,” said the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College student. “The stereotype is that the piano is for the intellectuals, but I find the guitar to be a very interesting and intriguing instrument.”

Therapy

For Paul Hubbard, the class isn’t just about learning to play. A few months ago, he fell off a wall and broke several bones. Now the sessions serve as physical therapy for the wrist that he broke, Mr. Hubbard explained.

Before the accident, he had already taken a few of the classes, but not enough to play the guitar well.

“I always wanted to play a musical instrument but felt a little bit intimidated by it,” he said.

Knowing the teacher and a few other students made it easy for him to sign up.

“The way Diandra teaches is to learn one or two chords, then you sing a song,” he said. “We don’t learn music; we don’t read music. We just play.”

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