San Luis Obispo High School plays host to many talented artists of many disciplines. Senior Luke Gibson, a musician, plays many instruments, the guitar among them. Expressions caught up with Gibson to discuss how playing the guitar has shaped him.

Expressions: How long have you been playing guitar?

Senior Luke Gibson: I’ve been playing guitar since fifth grade, so it’s been a while

Expressions: What’s your favorite style to play?

Gibson: Rock, of course. I like to play jazz a lot though.

Expressions: What do you love most about playing [the guitar]?

Gibson: I like the creativity aspect because, when beginners start to play, there are very simple things you must follow or else you’ll mess up, but when you become advanced, then you can mess around with different pitches and stuff on the guitar and you can create your own unique style, you don’t have to play just covers anymore, you can create music that’s really cool.

Expressions: How has playing [the guitar] affected you as a person?

Gibson: I think it boosts my self-esteem mostly.

Expressions: Who are your influences?

Gibson: I think my dad influenced me to begin with, and Jimi Hendrix.

Expressions: Any advice for beginners?

Gibson: Just get the basics down. Once you get the basics down you can just fly from there.