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Small wins
Just turned 52. I’ve been playing around with the guitar (noodling) since around age 14. How long is that!? Never claimed to be a guitarist that whole time.
That changed a couple months ago, thanks to TAC. That and more. Coincidentally I’ve been laid up with Achilles issues over that period. (Stretch and take care – not fun!) When life gives you lemons, just make lemonade. I committed to play at least 10 minutes a day, lighten up a whole bunch on the self critic side, and have fun.
It’s been revolutionary! I’m doing things I never thought I would. Went through the 30 days to play course. Those chord drills were an inspiration. Callouses have formed deeper than ever. (I like scratching my forehead with them.)
I have built guitars and made some repairs and such, including refrets and refinishes, shaping nuts and saddles. I am good at set ups.
I just love the instrument. I only wish I had picked up a nice Martin all those years ago. Had that happened, I wouldn’t have gone through so many instruments and cash and LIFE wondering what I wanted to do with it.
Now I know. All I want to do is make music and practice my craft. My life revolves around my “10 minute practice sessions”. Work. Sleep. Wake up. What I eat. What I drink. I don’t smoke anymore praise the Lord. No interest. It’s all about guitar.
I got the invite to TAC somehow. I watched the intro and felt the positivity. I don’t know how much time I have left but I signed up for the lifetime membership.
Thank you TAC family and thank you Tony for putting this together.
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3 Replies
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Earl –
You have a lot going on. Getting good callouses is a win.
Know a good set-up and having a quality instrument is another win.
Getting a lifetime membership and knowing that you’ll never quit is another win.
I have been going for about 3 months not and playing regularly and the callous have developed but the fingertip still get sore if I hold any chord too long.
Jeff
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For the callouses, the chord exercises helped me the most (as demonstrated in 30 days to play). I practiced the open G using middle, ring, pinky a lot. I usually stop shortly after the pain starts so that by the next time I pick up the guitar again, the pain is gone, maybe an hour later or the next morning. The other thing is I don’t play right after washing the hands – let them air dry for several minutes before playing. I usually wait about ten minutes, or they will hurt for sure. It is the only finger tip tip I know of that definitely helps other than playing daily. Not convenient.
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Sounds like you’ve had a bunch of wins @Earl ! Way to go, and keep on goin’😁🎵
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