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Ode to a rock star
To all you veterans out there, does this shit just click one day or is it a slow gradual frustrating yet rewarding process? I’m obsessed, I can’t put the instrument down, progressing into fretting that E shape barre chord is a mo-fo, I find it easier at times for example going from an Em to a full F barre, to use my pinky and ring finger to fret the Em and then just slide up one fret to grab the full F barre. Also is it possible to practice (wrong word) play too much, sometimes I’ll get stuck on a lick or a scale and put the guitar down for an hour or so and then…… bam? I’ve been dabbling for many years and since I joined Tac 2 months ago I’ve been consistent, about an hour or two everyday, I do see progress but can be frustrating at times. I apologize for babbling, just venting, some people would say it’s all about the journey not the destination. Anyway, thanks, any input would be greatly appreciated…..Thanks,
Rock on!
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5 Replies
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@Joemama Welcome to the TAC community! TAC teaches foundational skills that will make you a better player and able to use the skills when playing songs. Does it click at some point. Yes, I’ve had many moments of clarity and lightbulb moments throughout my journey. Sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly. THINK BACK TO 2 months ago and then today. Do you know more than you did then? If so, then you’re progressing.
As for practicing, you brought up a great point about walking away from the guitar when you’re frustrated, and when you returned to the guitar, bam — you were able to play something that was previously not clicking. That’s exactly what you should do when frustrated. I do several mini practices throughout a day — 10-20 minutes each. I rarely go longer than that.
Too much practice? I think so. The goal is for progress, not perfection. Practice a lesson for a minimum of 10 minutes and then mark a lesson complete. You will progress. The lessons cycle through and come back around every 8 or so months, and you’ll be surprised at how much better you play them. You can still practice it longer, but not to the point of total frustration. If you like a lesson and want to save it, then hit the small heart at the bottom right of the video, and it will save it in your profile, favorites.
The guitar is a difficult instrument to learn, so try and be patient with yourself. You want the journey to continue to be fun.
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Thank you Loraine, I can’t put it down after 10-20 min lol, I run through all the little licks and stuff from prievious lesson and of course I have a few of my own, so much to learn and know…………very exciting 😀
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@Joemama , I say it is the journey not the destination, here’s why: the destination is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If you try to get to the pot of gold it just keeps moving away as you move closer. What does this tell me….just keep moving. Could you play too much? Your observations of your progress will be the tell, should that be the case. If you are not progressing and you are beginning to have physical difficulties, or mentally you are burnt, there would be your indications that perhaps you have overdone. I found playing smartly in focused sessions is better than slogging along all day in a daze. I think the trick it to be the controller of the obsession and not let the obsession control you. This allows that infinite well of energy to be harnessed in a productive direction….the direction of your desire. I am coming up on my 7th year here and have made tons of mistakes along the way…all of them overcome and in hindsight avoidable if I had been paying closer attention. None of them were more than temporary barriers to my progress. I did one thing and one thing very well….I played everyday no matter what. You will no doubt get in your own way too but as long as you stay connected to the community (they helped me through miles of rough roads) and play everyday no matter what you will become the player of your desires. One last thing, this is part of the key to playing everyday. End every session INTENTIONALLY on a high note. This will be a major charger for getting back to the next session even in the midst of burnout!
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@joemama, I feel your pain. I’ve been doing this for a year and a half now. Practice a minimum of an hour a day, sometimes longer. I’m also taking some in-person lessons once a week for a half hour. I get frustrated as well, and wonder myself when I’m going to “get it”. The destination seems so far away from where I’m at now. I’m trying to take the advice of some of the veteran members and just concentrate on the small wins. This has helped me a bit with my frustrations. I also find for some reason, some days I’m just better than other days. I try not to get too down on those rough practice days. I’ll just set it down, grab a beer and chill for a bit and try again. I sometimes feel a bit pathetic only knowing a few basic songs after this long. Hey, at least I’m having fun eh?
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Thanks everyone for your support, I’m not by the least getting burned out, I wish there was more time in the day. I’m self employed and I have already found myself moving clients to a specific day so I can have a day off during the week to jam, lol
Rock on.
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