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I am new, can’t seem to get traction….
I’m a little embarrassed to say this yet I’m not finding traction….I first jumped in with Daily Challenge which didn’t work for me – just found it frustrating. Then I went to 30 days to play and TAC Guide and became impatient there.
I’m wondering where I might jump start this, ie., I’ve been playing for 50 years yet infrequently. I realize there are some “counter-intentions” here and thus why I joined yet here I am, not finding my niche, even so.
Another way of saying this is what does Tony recommend for someone who knows guitar, needs a fun refresher, to get me in the groove so to speak. I want this to be streamlined and not “hard forging through” using my willpower (not fun).
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13 Replies
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@seedaveleegmail-com it is a little bit of a blessing and a curse – there is so much materiel to access. One thing that helped me was using the TAC Workbook Journal and get very specific about near term goals and focus your energy on a few items. I know I tend to a be person that can “chase the next shiny object” and get distracted, so the goal setting helped me pick a few items and over 30 – 90 days where I actually felt I had made progress in some new areas. Also since you have played before you could check out the Fretboard Wizard course. It is an extra fee but it also had some break through material for me who has also played off and on over a couple of decades. Best of luck to you and enjoy the journey !
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This reply was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by TMutter.
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Thanks, TMuttter, I will try what you suggest. I feel a little “hoodwinked” by Tony’s promotional stuff (watched over an hour of this) and as much as I respect Tony, it is somewhat incongruent with the “flow” he describes in getting started.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by
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@seedaveleegmail-com I agree with @TMutter that one needs to be introspective and reduce your goals to writing. Unspecified goals are just dreams. I note on your profile that you joined in July with 3 playing sessions but you have delineated no goals. So to get some traction, I’d suggest some salty written down goals on that ice. I too have dabbled for decades but since I have joined TAC and trust the process I’ve found a lot of fun. Part of that process is understanding yourself and what you want and putting in the 10 minutes almost daily. Yes it’s only 10 minutes but it is regularly. Give it those 30 days (close to in a row) and you’ll be able to better evaluate if you are heading in the direction you want. And having fun.
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Thanks Albert, I am looking at goals and frankly I sense this will develop more over time. Right now my goal is to have easy fun via Tony’s user friendly and fun approach – his promotional material. I am pretty disciplined, yet with guitar I admit there are some “counter intentions” (inner sluggishness yet nowhere near sabotage…nothing on that level).
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I find it interesting, @seedaveleegmail-com , that both Terry and Albert, immediately went to “goals”.
You’ve fallen into the same trap so very many of us have. A large percent of the TAC membership is people who have played on and off for years. The real problem is between our ears, not our hands or even our ears.
Music is a difficult, complicated, life-long endeavor. Stop thinking that you know how to play guitar. Go back to basics and let Tony show you how to have fun doing exercises. Expand your understanding of music theory. Write your own songs. Whatever works for you.
Oh, wait a minute!!! That’s the rub, right there: “What Works For You?”
I can’t answer that. No one but you can. “Why Are You Playing Guitar?” “What’s Your End Game?”
Let’s start with this: “Love Your Own Sound!” But here’s the thing that becomes obvious when that’s said: I gotta find my own sound before I can love it. So, find your own sound. Somewhere along the way, you need to figure out why you are doing all of this in the first place. Here’s a good place to start:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOLPOMkQkVU
MG 😀
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Mike, thank you for what you said, it is “music to my ears”, ie., what turns me on in playing and following that. Discipline and dedication naturally follow this. Tony’s site is large, and I need a place to start via what you are suggesting.
You are right on here. And thanks for the video link as I have started watching that!
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It’s always a little bit of a leap when I give advice to someone, Dave @seedaveleegmail-com , as I’m not sure if my words are going to help or not. I’m so glad my words resonated with you. Thank you for giving me a reply. I appreciate it. 😄
Let us know how things develop for you. One of the important steps of Tony’s process is to find small wins as often as possible, daily is best. Then you can let us know. Otherwise, we don’t see our progress.
MG 😀
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I’ve only been here for 2 months, but I think I understand your frustration. The approach Tony teaches is unconventional and I wasn’t convinced it would work. Most of the daily challenges are way over my skill level and I was getting frustrated as well, and then someone pointed out that I didn’t need to master them, just try them for 10 mins. Or just do a portion of the exercise.
Once I realized I didn’t need to master a challenge or be perfect at it my frustration went away and became fun. Some days I spend an hour perfecting the technique, others I try, fail, and move on. It will come back around in a few months and hopefully my skills will have improved and I will do better.
Some days I like better than others (Tue Lick days, and Wed Improv), but I try them all. I would suggest trying a week of challenges with the mindset of it’s just something to try but not perfect and see if your frustration level drops.
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I love this, @Moose408 ;
You simply look at it from the point of view of frustration vs fun. The only thing that changes in going from frustration to fun is your expectations of the outcome.
But here’s where that puts you. In spite of the fact that you are not mastering these lessons, you are exposing yourself to challenges and new ways of playing the guitar. This causes your skill level to go up in different ways. It doesn’t seem like it and it doesn’t feel like it, but the truth is we progress steadily using this method.
And all we have to do is have fun. I love it.
MG 😀
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The increase in skill *IS* subtle but I have definitely seen it and felt it.
<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”>I also do another online guitar course and often people there are struggling with a lesson and I’m </font>realizing<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”> that I’m not because it’s a skill I have already been exposed to here at TAC. I have really been enjoying the daily challenges here (once I made the mindset switch) and I’m improving every single day. </font>
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That’s excellent @Moose408 , to recognize that your skill is growing. Without that feedback we start to question whether this is working since it’s so different from other methods.
MG 😀
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I agree with all of the other TAC community comments. I would consider the Fretboard Wizard, and having said that, I think (and have found) that using that tool allows and encourages you to proceed. I have played music, other than Guitar for over 40 years, and found by accessing the FW course threw me over the top. Patience and trust the process. Good luck, my friend, and I will keep my eyes open for further developments.
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I feel just the same. But I haven’t try enough just yet. I feel a bit lost here. When I first started TAC I was looking for a program to get me going and evolving with my guitar. I played for nearly 3 years now and I’m sick of learning my next tune, play it until I get it and then get bored. So I joined TAC. But I must say I’m a bit lost with the amount of courses. Should I go for Blues? Cross picking? Start from the beginner level even if I already know it? I did the boogie challenge and it’s nice but… then what? It feels like I’m learning some techniques that can help but also I don’t feel I’m progressing… Anyways if somebody has an advice on which path a more intermediate level guitar player with an eclectic taste of music show go I’d appreciate it. Thanks in advance❤️
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This reply was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by MariSchwarz.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by
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