Can Playing Guitar Make You Happy?

Yes, guitars can make you happy.

If one person leaves a comment on this blog post, I will consider myself a “happy” guy 🙂

I Played/Imitated Elvis Presley when I was 5 Years Old in 1956

On October 28, 1956, Elvis was on the Ed Sullivan Show on TV and Elvis performed “Hound Dog”. Boomers, do you remember it? “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog…”

Someone handed me a guitar in 1956 and I strummed it badly singing part of the song. That was a happy moment, but then it stopped…

…and my parents took me to music school for accordion (yikes). I wonder what happened to that guitar.

At the age of 72, I Bought a used Harmony H80T at a Yard Sale

You better believe that made me happy.

Buying Guitars Won’t Make You Happy; Playing Guitars Makes You Happy

Just to be clear, buying a guitar doesn’t make you happy. It’s playing that guitar that makes you happy, or in many cases, “happier”.

Many Reasons Guitars can Make You Happy

Here’s a fast and easy list from me on why guitars make me happy. This is my list, please leave a comment.

Pretty. Even an ugly little guitar has its charm.
Voice. Every guitar in good playing condition has its own voice. If you enjoy sounds, guitars can make you happy.
Music. After 14 months and over 1000 hours of practice and playing guitar, I can now play many songs decently. Actually, I was playing tiny melodies after 1 month and slightly bigger songs with chords after 3 months. Progress.
New People. If you are serious about guitars, play them outside your home, you will definitely meet new people. Playing guitar is a “ticket” to meeting different people from all walks of life. Fun.
- Or go to a coffee house and talk to the pianist or the guitar player. Meet a new person, perhaps they will become a friend.
Two Guitars. And yes, two guitars might be even more fun than one guitar. But you need to play them. Just not at the same time 🙂
Meditative. 90 minutes passes pretty quickly when you are playing guitar.
Children and/or Grandchildren. If you’re lucky, your grandkids may sing along with you as you play guitar.
- And if you are very lucky, your kids or grandkids will remember their grandpa playing guitar and singing with them. Hope so.
Mental and Physical Exercise. Learning something new every day that is both mental and physical certainly will keep your mind active.

AI on the Internet has Many Reasons Guitars can make you Happy

I do enjoy AI or Artificial Intelligence from Internet searches. Here is the AI search from “can guitars make me happy” shown below.

Richard Takes the Guitar Happiness Checklist Test

Stress Relief and Mood Boost.
- I don’t normally feel depressed. But I will admit that I feel happier after strumming “Johnny B. Good” at 168 BPM or beats per minute. Fun.
Dopamine Release.
- Yes, I think I do get a dopamine rush after playing one of my guitars seriously for an hour or so.
Improved Cognitive Function.
- Maybe. I am 73 years old so I’ll be happy with any good cognitive functioning.
Social Connection.
- I need to return to the Americana Jam at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL USA. Great people, great place.
- When I meet a new person I ask them if they play guitar. The chances are easily 1 out of 3 they play a guitar or an instrument. Or maybe, they talk about their brother who plays an instrument.
- Making social connections through guitar stories is one of my new hobbies. Yes, it’s fun.
Enhanced Creativity and Self-Expression.
- My self-confidence is pretty good normally. I have led an interesting life that has brought me to today.
- Yes, playing/learning guitar gives me a sense of accomplishment. I just wish I could improve my fishing as significantly as I have improved my guitar playing.
Emotional Outlet.
- Maybe 🙂
Increased Self-Esteem.
- I don’t think I needed a self-esteem boost. But it’s always nice to “get better” at something every day. It is an Agile way of life.
Reduced Blood Pressure.
- Gosh, that would be nice. Hope so.

Why Don’t You Take the Guitar Happiness Checklist

Print it out and go over the checklist.

“Remember, owning a guitar isn’t enough. You need to play the guitar at least 20 minutes a day to feel happier.” – The Shoshin Guitarist

Playing a Guitar is the 2nd Thing I do Each Morning

I grab my guitar and practice a few techniques every morning around 7 AM. Nothing long, just 5 to 10 minutes.

My wife complains about it a little bit. But secretly I think she accepts it and I do hear her humming in the house during the day.

Here’s my good morning guitar. It’s a Hohner HW200. It’s nickname is either Florida (it came from Florida) or Sawbuck (it cost $10).

Put Playing Guitars into Your Schedule – It will Make You Happier

I do admit that I am retired. My kids are grown up and I don’t work a regular job anymore. I play guitar, take longer Chicago walks, and try to be a good husband, father, grandfather, and friend. So I may have more time than you do. But you still have time for guitar. Just work it into your schedule.

Say Good Morning to Your Guitar

Yes, as mentioned above, I wake up playing guitar. It’s better than coffee. Just 10 minutes is all I play, then I get some coffee.

Morning with Guitar

My morning routine might be with guitar. I study guitar online with Justin Guitar and sometimes with Fender Play App. I practice strumming every day and focus on playing simple sheet music songs.

Afternoon with Guitar or Bass

This is another time slot for me. I am learning bass guitar solely from the Fender Play App. So far it’s suited me just fine.

Yes, practicing bass out loud or through headphones is fun. I find bass guitar to be almost meditative. So yes, it’s a happy thing.

Evening with Guitar or Bass

Yes, when everyone goes to bed, I noodle around on a guitar or bass. I also do some blogging on this website at the end of the day.

Will 20 Minutes of Guitar Playing Make me Happier?

I would say 20 minutes of guitar playing is a bare minimum for “being happier”. But 20 minutes is a whole lot better than NOT playing guitar at all.

I think 45 minutes of focused practice or play is better for just “happiness”. Improving your guitar playing does make me happier.

Now, if you want to become good at guitar or bass, than you are talking hours of practice every day. I think of of my guitar heroes said this in one of his videos.

“If you want to get good at guitar, put in the hours.” – Dave Simpson.

True Guitar Happiness is Found Jamming on Guitar with a Few Friends

Yes, you can go to a coffeehouse magazine store and listen to a guitarist play the blues and that’s fun.

But “happier guitar playing” comes from jamming with a friend.

I am grateful my buddy Tom G. comes over to play his harmonica while I play guitar. He’s very good, me, I’m an advanced beginner guitarist. But it’s a “happy time”.

But if you want guitar playing to make you happy, get out of your house. Go jamming somewhere. Socialize, play guitar. It’s a good thing.

I think it’s true: Playing Guitar Can Make You “Happier”

Guitar will NOT make you a “Happy Person”. But I can pretty much guarantee that playing guitar, bass, ukelele, musical instruments and hanging out with other musicians will improve your state of mind. Yes, guitars can make you HAPPIER.

In an imperfect world, I would say playing guitar with a smile on your face can make you happier. Try it.

Thanks for visiting the Shoshin Guitarist today.