He initially took an interest in becoming a drummer, but because his parents didn't take to the idea of bringing percussive instruments into their household, Borland began taking guitar lessons from a member of his parents' Presbyterian church.
Borland awalnya menaruh minat untuk menjadi drummer, tetapi karena orangtuanya tidak mengambil gagasan untuk membawa instrumen perkusi kedalam rumah tangga mereka, Borland mulai mengambil pelajaran gitar dari seorang anggota keluarganya di gereja Presbiterian.