How Guitar Saved Us Both
How six strings carried me through life, and now carry my granddaughter too
By Nancy (“Nana Nancy”)
I’ve been inspired by so many of your stories… and since today is my 67th birthday, I finally decided it was my turn to share.
It feels funny to admit this, but guitar has helped me through some of the most difficult moments of my life.
I grew up a bit of a loner. I loved to draw, knit, walk, bike — all things a kid in the ’60s could do for free, because honestly, we grew up poor. But my dad, even though he drank too much, could play a mean guitar (all by ear). Six daughters harmonizing around him… oh, those are some of my happiest memories.
In grade 6, the nuns introduced us to classical guitar. Free lessons once a week at lunchtime. I loved lugging that guitar to school and trying to fingerpick every note they taught us. My dad didn’t care much for fingerpicking — he strummed — so I tried to copy him too.
High school wasn’t much different. I wasn’t popular. I did well in school but didn’t have a lot of friends. My attention was on hobbies, not social life. I worked at the local bakery from age 13, and my goal was always to play Dad’s guitar. But girls playing guitar “wasn’t cool,” according to the few friends I had. Still, Dad taught me “I Walk the Line,” which I proudly performed for the nuns. They frowned, of course… but oh, how proud I felt.
Life happened next — marriage, kids, responsibilities.
Fast-forward to 2015. After years away, my Dad’s guitar came back to me. It had been sitting in my sister’s closet forever. I took it to a luthier and had it restored. My playing hadn’t progressed beyond the two or three songs I learned decades earlier, but picking up his guitar brought back floods of memories — all of us singing together, smiling.
In 2018, I found Tony and TAC. I was retiring, and my colleagues gifted me $500. I bought a secondhand cutaway guitar and signed up. It was my gift to me.
Tony’s “10 minutes a day” and the support of this community changed everything. I built confidence. Learned real songs — about 15 now that I feel good playing. And somehow… I now own five guitars.
But the reason I’m writing this story isn’t about me.
It’s about my granddaughter, Lydia.
She’s twelve, and she is so very much like I was — a little lonely, unsure of herself, navigating her parents’ separation. So last summer, I introduced her to guitar. I paid for lessons all fall. I bought her two small guitars — one for each home so she’d never be without one.
And friends… she is flourishing.
She played at a local winery in front of a full house. She’s booked for a June 21st show. The guitar has become her solace, her sanity, her friend. I see her become one with the melody. I see her confidence rise. I see her handling her emotions through music.
And the bond between us? It’s something only we truly understand.
The guitar saved me — and now it’s saving Lydia too.
Oh, how I wish I could gift every lonely 12-year-old an instrument. If the nuns had taught us with the enthusiasm, simplicity, and care Tony gives… I might’ve been a rock star by now.
But honestly? Being “Nana Nancy,” sitting beside my granddaughter as she finds her voice — that’s better than any stage.
Great story from Nana who is rockin it. And yes the guitar, singing has always been part of my life. Tis my goal to bring my playing to a semi professional level. To jam away into old age.
Thank you for sharing Nancy. That’s a beautiful story
That is a beautiful story. Having passed a couple of guitars on to my grandson who took classical lessons in high school, I can relate to your story very well.
Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it. Merry Christmas!
That’s a wonderful, heart-warming story!
I have a question for you:
I understand that Tony’s program does not teach actual songs -just parts of some for example riffs. So how did you learn those 15 real songs? Or have I misunderstood the program?
What a sensational story!!! It brought tears to my eyes. Thanks a million for sharing and you and your granddaughter just keep picking or strumming with Tony!!! He has me on the right path and I enjoy seeing what the new challenge is each day. I’m 71 so my fingers don’t fully cooperate and my memory is slipping so it’s hard to remember when learning a new song.
Nancy, thank you for sharing. Like you I retired but only recently found Tony. What a difference he makes! I am loving his classes. So helpful. I do not see myself ever playing in front of anyone, but he helps me sound really good in my room alone! Your grand daughter is so lucky!!!
Truly heartwarming. Accolades to you for your tenacity and sticking to it over the years. And, what a special gift you have given your granddaughter. She will remember you as long as she lives.
Thank you for sharing this inspiring and uplifting story. I’ll file this under “pay it forward” and remind myself to also do as you did. Be well and keep playing “10 minutes a day”.
Wonderfull. So happy and heartfelt
Wow…truly a great story…all the best.
That is a lovely, heartwarming story.
Great experiences you had! God bless you and your granddaughter! Strum on!
Loved it!! Thank you for sharing
Fantastic story for both of you!
Thanks for sharing your personal background and inspirations to resume playing. Might I suggest that you introduce her to some of the many great female singer-songwriters from your formative years. Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and Bonnie Raitt come to mind, performed and composed on guitar, and were always cool too.
Lovely, human story
Thanks for sharing, funny how things from our childhood come back to us in our latter years. What a great way to connect with your granddaughter.
I love this! Good for you, Nancy. The gift you’ve given your granddaughter is priceless and the gift you gave yourself will remain with her. Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing.
Awesome to hear your story
Nancy, this is heartwarming. Thank you for sharing. Keep up the good work ~
Great story… thanks so much for sharing…. I’m 69 and really loving my journey back into guitar as well….
Thanks for you beautiful story Nana Nancy. So many good things happen when we share what we love. Kathy G
What a beautifully-written story! Do you have a Facebook or YouTube page where you could post a video of the two of you playing together??
This one got me. Beautiful sharing across generations. Helping someone find their voice.
What a heartwarming story! It brought tears to my eyes, and I totally get it. I also got a chuckle about the 5 guitars! I just joined TAC and am looking forward to actually playing the three guitars I own! 🙂
You are a blessing to yourself and to your granddaughter!
Thank you Nancy, and Tony.
Love this!
Nancy – thanks for sharing beautiful story! Bless you and Lydia
TEARS me up!!
Heartwarming story of your guitar journey.
Wow Nancy!!!! that is such a great story to share! Thank you so much. Also- 5 guitars is a very respectable “start” on a collection! I tend to move mine around so no one really has an exact count on how many there are.
Rob
Thank you for sharing your story!
Great story! It looks like passing the baton to your granddaughter is reaping priceless blessings.
Thanks for sharing those moments. It is nice to hear that your guitar means so much to you.
I love your story, it is so inspiring! I am 61 and just started teaching myself guitar. Tony is a God send, and the stories really encourage me to never stop learning guitar. Thank You!
Wow, amazing story, thanks for sharing!
what a great story. Amazing how we get such joy from the quietest places
Thanks for sharing! Beautiful story.
Glorious. Quiet, wholesome story. This is truly a testimony of what music can be. Even to this day I wonder how so many can be so unrestricted with music playing! I thrive on order and yet the Feel is so much more important!! Beautiful share, this is why it does matter what stage, pulpit, quiet corner, ocean splash, or auditorium, or actually wherever your notes can share. It IS the why I/ we must! Thank You Tony, Nancy, and Teams!!
Thanks for the story, I’m 73 now had an acoustic for twelve years now I put it down a while ago I’ve always known what music can do so thanks to your story I’m picking it up again in the hope it can pick me up.
What a lovely story, Nancy, thank you
Nancy love your story. Mine is too long to write, but pretty much similar to yours. I started 2 years ago at age 75. Took some private lessons. Since then I have 3 guitars every corner of the house so I use them all. I must say I’m A blues lover music but also country and Elvis songs. I play each time I feel like and I mean often. I do know 5 songs and I still practice the chords. I just feel so good, it relax me and I enjoy every minute. There’s no age to learn since life is a learning lessons.
It’s a great hobby as well. So I will keep playing till the end of my life. Love music always did. Thank for sharing your story.
So…you mentioned that you paid for guitar lessons “all fall” for your granddaughter. What a very generous and loving thing to do. My question is did you use TAC for her and if not, why? I’ve just become a little suspicious. I “clicked” on the link to get a little info about this absolutely free system. I am still very interested just have yet to commit just because of what all I have going on right now. But now I’m getting 2 or 3 emails a day. Becoming a little pushy
Thanks Nancy. I got tears in my eyes reading this story. Lots of good lessons about music, mentorship, and love.
Thank you for sharing and glad you did something for your own happiness!
Love this closing the generational gap through music story!
What a beautiful story Nancy! Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.
What a great story!!! Nancy congrats.