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New to TAC
I’ve just joined TAC – so looking forward to it!
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21 Replies
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@NewCreation Welcome to the TAC community!! Let us know if you have any questions. Have fun with the lessons!
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Hey Loraine – thanks for the encouragement. My 83 year of mother also lives with me and is under my care. She too has some dementia and other difficult health issues. So I’m not really sure where to start with this guitar program. Is there actually a starting place. I just jumped into the 30 day challenge.🤷♀️ Thanks for any help
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@NewCreation My heart goes out to you with regard to your mother. I was a caregiver for my mother for years, and she had dementia and several other health issues that made it a full time job, along with my regular job and household. She recently passed away, but I’m so glad I was able to be there for her and to have the time with her.
As for guitar, it was my saving grace during the past year and a half during Covid and dealing with the isolation of being a caregiver. It was a great outlet for stress, boredom, loneliness, isolation, depression, etc., and it brought me such joy and was fun. The TAC community listened to my frustrations and challenges often and were very supportive, patient, and understanding.
What’s great about the TAC program is that this is our own personal journey, and all that’s asked is a commitment of a minimum of 10 minutes per day. Considering how challenging things were at home, there were many times that 10 minutes were all I had. I found 10 minutes even when I had been at the hospital emergency room with my mom for 5 hours. It was exactly what I needed to relieve some tension before I had to return to the hospital after she was admitted.
You started in the perfect place with the 30 days to play lessons. From there, just continue with the next 6 chords. After that you might want to try the daily challenges and start looking through the Skills courses. The Jumpstart to Flatpicking, Fingerpicking and Strumming courses were great. This is your program, so you can go at your own pace and in any direction you’re interested in. With regard to all the lessons, don’t shoot for perfection. This is more about progress over time and you want to continue moving forward. Mark lessons complete after you’ve worked them at least 10 minutes. You can ‘favorite’ any you really like or you want to return to at some point. They’ll be saved in your Profile under favorites. Tabs (tablature) to all lessons can be found by clicking the link next to the favorite’s icon at the bottom right of each video. I usually save these to my computer, but that’s not a requirement. The Daily Challenges rotate about every 8 months, so you’ll be able to see progress from the first time taking the lessons and the next year.
There are virtual open mics (VOM’s) several times throughout the week. These are through Zoom and you can choose to play or to just listen to other players. Days and times can be found at justmusicgeeks.com and clicking on the calendar. Feel free to join in any of the conversations in the forums too. It’s a great way to support other players and to be inspired. All playing levels are encouraged and the groups are very positive and supportive.
If you ever need anything please feel free to PM me. Just click on your name at the top and choose messages from the drop down menu.
Have fun with the 30 days to play, and I hope to see you on the forums and to see your progress over the year. It’s a truly amazing program.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 4 months ago by Loraine.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 4 months ago by
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I agree with everything Loraine said. Committing to 10 minutes is doable for folks like us with real life challenges. On the days when you have time for more the joy of playing can be a real stress reliever. Welcome @NewCreation
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Welcome NewCreation.
I’m a short timer myself. People have been very helpful and encouraging.
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Welcome to the TAC community NewCreation! I think that TAC is a great place to learn guitar. The community is very helpful and supportive. Enjoy your guitar journey! 🎸
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Welcome!! Can’t wait to hear more about your guitar journey
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Welcome!
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Welcome. My sister also is new new TAC. I am sure you will find it fun. I have.
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Welcome to the Family, may the journey be long and FUN!👍
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Welcome to TAC! You’ve come to the right place to learn guitar & with a gr8 support community. 😊🧙♂️😎
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Welcome Lori. I too am a North Carolinian. Started TAC myself eight months ago. I found starting with the 30 day course very useful. During the first months I have focused more on the various skill courses within TAC although I am finding the daily challenges of more benefit now. You may have already noticed Tony emphasizes the importance of devoting at least 10 minutes daily with your guitar. From what you have shared about yourself you clearly have many life responsibilities. Think of TAC as a kind of personal refuge for self care- something you do for YOU and be guilt free about it. For me playing guitar is a form of therapy. TAC allows you to go at your own pace. It’s wonderful you love to sing. I started with simple three chord songs (A,D,E for example) found on website Ultimate Guitar to sing as I have learned many chord shapes the past months. The best advice for you as Tony emphasizes is to have fun! Wishing you much success on your TAC journey Lori.
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Hello Lori ( @NewCreation ), welcome to the TAC community. This is the best place you could have come to learn guitar, in my opinion of course.
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure it’s still difficult even after 4.5 years. Thank you for being open enough to help us understand you and your situation. I am happy that you have the support of the bible and a congregation… and 7 kids.
As far as your situation with your mother living with you, @Loraine was in that very situation when she joined TAC. Hopefully, she will come by and be able to share some of her personal experience. She is a very encouraging and helpful member of our TAC community.
As far as how to proceed here on TAC, I don’t think I could say it any better or add any more than what @Guitargeezer-Jack has already told you. So I will simply say plus one to his comments and suggest that you read what he has said several times. Especially the part about “have fun”.
When you do start using the daily lessons, just remember they are not intended as something to memorize like your learning a song or even to master like something you are going to perform for anyone. They are simply exercises that give us direction in our practice and if we simply do the best we can for a minimum of 10 minutes, we will slowly but surely improve in our guitar skills.
I hope to hear more from you as your guitar journey proceeds. And welcome to the North Carolina group of TAC members. I had formed a Jam Club here in Winston Salem before the spring of 2020, but it has yet to be resurrected (though Jack and I have gotten together once and hope to some more).
MG 😀
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Hey everyone, Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. My mother actually left her earthsuit in the early morning hours on Thanksgiving. But what a mighty God I serve. His grace is sufficient in every trial. I am hoping to find some solace through music as I continue forward. Many blessings, New Creation
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@newcreation I am so sorry about your mom, but I admire your ability to rely on God during this time. Just know that your mom is free from all burdens now and was made whole again upon her passing. That thought regarding my mom brings me joy and peace.
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My condolences to you. My wife and I took care of my mom for 5 years with similar circumstances and she’s been gone over 10 years now. Prayers for peace friend. I’ve been in the TAC family now for just a few months and enjoy the encouraging people here. Loraine gave you great advice on where to start, it’s exactly the path I followed and now I’m working the Daily Challenges along with other stuff as I have time.
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🌈🎸Welcome!
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NewCreation-
Welcome to the TAC family!
I’m also sorry to hear about your mom.
You have gotten some VERY good advice here as you begin your guitar journey, from at least two of the nicest, most thoughtful people I’ve ever known- but never met…. (you know who you are!).
At the risk of repeating what they’ve said- my two cents: Hang around here in this TAC forum- explore it. There is golden advice in here- and for EVERY level of playing ability. We’re all on the same road, and the ones “ahead” are AMAZINGLY generous at sharing and helping- no matter how big or small.
Again- Welcome!
Mark J
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This reply was modified 4 years, 3 months ago by the-old-coach.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 3 months ago by
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