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Marisa – How I TAC!
1.) How many days per week do you play?
I play 5-7 days a week. My goal is to play 7 and often I hit that mark. Establishing my almost daily habit has been paramount to the guitar gains I have had since joining TAC in December. I even brought a travel guitar to my office, so I can get the challenges in on my two late nights.
2.) What time of day do you play?
On my home days, I like the early afternoon. On good days, I can pick it up again before dinner and sometimes play again at night. On the weekends, I like to play early in the morning before anyone is up. That time is very special for me; bonus time.
3.) Where do you play?
I routinely play in my music room. Everything is set up there; all my music in binders, amp, computer and piano. I have a binder of songs I’m working on, songs that are ready, and favorite TAC lessons with notes in the margins. I also like to play in the backyard. I put on quite a show for the trees. It is a great feeling playing outside. I typically just grab my guitar and freestyle when I am outside.
4.) What was your guitar life like before having a guitar routine & how has implementing a consistent guitar routine helped you?
I had only been playing a few months before I joined TAC. I was happy that I remembered the few chords I had in HS but I had no focus. I would pick up the guitar, and try out songs. I could either play the easy ones or deem them too difficult. I had no plan, no approach. I didn’t play every day. Every time I sat down to play, I wanted to be better, but I was just in my 4 chord zone. I searched Youtube for guidance but got mostly distracted and overwhelmed. However, that’s where I heard Tony’s voice. Talk about resonation, that voice stopped me dead in my tracks! I liked his message and vibe and knew immediately that he would be my mentor.
Ways TAC has helped me:
-Picking up the guitar every day and knowing I will start with my challenge is key. No guesswork, no over-thinking…my guitar lesson starts. In a small amount of time, I am enjoying success with parts of the lesson, and sometimes I am bubbling over with excitement when I nail it. I drop my favorites to paper and place in my TAC folder.
-In making goals for myself, I have clarity and success when I reach them. I keep a running list on my phone of songs I’d like to learn. I never waste time during practice thinking about this. I usually work on 3 songs at a time, so I can switch things up as necessary. I have technique goals based on the music I am working on. I use the chord changing lessons to get faster and cleaner.
-The 30 days to play course provided many reinforcing wins to celebrate while pushing through and many opportunities to make new goals.
-I can easily read and write tablature and have a richer understanding or rhythm for strumming patterns.
– I never feel a piece of music is beyond my reach anymore. I just work on small, manageable chunks at a time; one measure or phrase, if necessary.
-I am having fun! I remember zoning out to Flounder’s Fiasco and playing it over and over again. “Am I actually finger picking a song and sounding so cool?? How amazing is that! Finger-picking! That is so much more than those 4 chords!” I find the fun now in each lesson every time I sit down to play.
-The amazing TAC community is so special. It feels great to post a video and hear the support of fellow guitar geeks who can relate to all of this. Watching others play has provided me with lots of inspiration. My playing has improved by watching these videos.
-On a personal note, TAC has brought balance back into my life. I was very much immersed in music in my youth and young adulthood, but somehow, life got in the way and it took a back seat. Being able to express myself musically again has enriched me in so many ways.
5.) What is the one non-guitar item that is a must have in you guitar routine?
My timer. Not a metronome, but a kitchen timer that rings out. I have gotten lost in my music on many occasions and have “charred” dinner, forgotten to move laundry into dryer and worse. I give myself blocks of time now when I have the luxury to play for longer periods. This way, I have built-in breaks to do non-guitar essentials!
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5 Replies
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Marisa, I enjoyed your response “and sometimes I am bubbling over with excitement when I nail it.” I couldn’t agree more…
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👍🏼
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Very nice guitar routine @Marisa , personally playing outside is one of the most enjoyable parts of guitar 🙂 Especially when you can get lost and lose track of time but I haven’t burnt anything… yet 🤞🏼
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