My Guitar Progress: Age 4 to the Present Day (Completely Self-taught)

Since I started teaching guitar, I am often asked questions like:
How long have you been playing guitar? How did I practice? Did I have formal lessons? First guitar? First riffs?

And in this video, I wanted to show you my guitar playing journey to the fullest extent I can based on the footage we have stored in the Cooper family archives. The point of this video to convey that it takes time, patience, resilience, self-discipline to achieve what you aspire to be on any musical instrument.

I also wanted to finally announce in this video that my band has now been formed... Lake Domain, and we plan to release material in Spring 2020. Stay at the time of writing I am doing my last minute packing before my flight to Gothenburg tomorrow where myself and the Singer, Jo Mansson will be mixing the tracks.

[slide]

I want you ALL to know this. Do NOT judge your own abilities according to other people's talents. Just learn from them and explore on you own. It is NEVER too late to learn anything! Don't judge yourselves..instead..believe in yourselves! And practice what it is you like to do. Just like and believe in what you do, and keep learning from others..just keep going!

[pepeknamornik]

Lot of people saying that they wish they start playing guitar younger. But its never too late

[Galuex]

My oldest son who will be 8 in may told me he wanted to learn how to play last week. So I pulled outed out the guitars I never learned to play. Told him were gonna spend at least 30 mins a night learning and practicing every night when I get home from work.

[EenergyWasHere]

Plays Thunderstruck at age 10:

MISSION PASSED!
+RESPECT

[hppy]

Cameron: played Thunderstruck at age 10


Me: ight imma head out

[jerryjones]

Damn i thought you were born with a guitar in your hand

[Minhmai]

Me 16yr : play thunderstruck not even sounds correctly
This dude 16yr : literally shred

[philfrank]

A great retrospect. But if you're a young aspiring guitarist out there, don't watch this and lose heart: Everyone is self-taught. Nobody picks up a guitar and comes up with this themselves.

There is a big, big difference in what beginners have available to them for self instruction today (since 2000, really, internet is a huge force multiplier) versus the guitarists from before. That's no excuse, it's fact.

What may possibly be Cameron's biggest attributes toward his success is what was (and will always be) the biggest factors: love for the music, and DESIRE. There are just so many ways to spend your time these days, and to be able to stick with it for his entire life and keep improving? That's the 'secret' he has that many, many others don't. Of course, the choice guitars he has had over the years can't hurt, lol. But even then, quality gear will only get you so far.
I wish you all the best in the future and hope you never lose the fire that got you this far!

[Boleskinebeatz]

As a guitar player of over 40 years and a father to a 14-year-old this just makes me smile on every level. Been following your work for a few weeks now and your playing really is an inspiration.
🙏🏻👍

[shane]

Dude, ripping with Steel Panther at 20? So bitchin!

[MarkDrummond]

This useful ... I can now measure my progress in "Camerons". I estimate I am currently at about 8 Camerons. If I can get to 15 Camerons in the next 5 years, I'll be very happy. Also, that age 15 hair is where it's at.

[MilianMalivukMusic]

Shit dude, I knew that video of someone taking Satchel's guitar and shredding the entire song, I didn't know it was YOU!
You Sir, own my respect, for life.

[terrellmabrito]

When people say someone has natural talent, I don't think they realize that even the greatest players had to start at 0 and put in the work. This is awesome, congrats on your amazing progress. You've got a bright future ahead of you!

[tijssens]

I just drunk bought a CHARVEL because of this dude! :)

[Wyckerman]

Every single one of us had bad hair at 15 so don't worry about it too much. I'm glad mobile phones weren't around when I was a teenager in the '80s...lol

[Soldier]

wish I started as a kid when adult responsibilities were still several years away.

started at 17

[maswid]

all that time and process, intention and sincerity,
as well as parents who support their child's talents

[qpwoeituty]

Hey man, you're an incredible guitarist. It''s wonderful to be able to sit and enjoy this music you've created. I hope you have an amazing day.

[blahblahgdp]

The hair is very important. As it grows it stores guitar God energy that is then refined and absorbed. That's why at the end you got shorter hair.

[cflowers]

The "Thunderstruck" part was just the best. lol. GETTIN IT!