My Journey with the Guitar by Anay

My Journey with the Guitar by Anay - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

With the image of Dan Richard from One Direction ingrained in my mind, I picked up the baby blue
electric guitar and tentatively plucked at the strings, creating a discordant tune of low-pitched
sounds. Hearing this tune, I was instantly hooked. So when the opportunity to take guitar lessons
presented itself, I leaped at the chance.
At first, it was tough. My fingers were clumsy, and I struggled to maintain a consistent rhythm.
However, I continued to practice every day, and slowly but surely, I gained composure. I learned to
form chords more smoothly, and reading music changed from deciphering hieroglyphics to
skimming English sentences. As I gained confidence in my style, I started to branch out and try
new techniques, such as fingerpicking. Playing the guitar became something that I looked forward
to every day, and strumming the silvery strings with the worn maroon pick gifted to me by my
guitar teacher brought great joy and fulfillment.
Playing the guitar has brought me more than just personal satisfaction; it has allowed me to
connect with others in an intimate manner. Whether performing solo or in a group, the experience
of making music together is deeply fulfilling. For example, casual duets with a close friend led to
creating beats at a local recording studio for aspiring musical artists, exposing to me a world of
music through playing the guitar. Through such experiences, I have made many meaningful
friendships that have grown me as a musician and person.
Looking back years later, I am amazed at how far I have come since that first discordant tune. The
guitar has been a constant companion and source of growth for me, and I am excited to see where
this musical engine will take me at the University of Virginia and in the future.