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Help I am lost
Ok here is my issue, I have not picked up guitar for a month . It started out i got covid and at 66 it kicked my ass for 10 weeks. I had good days and bad ones. Then I went to the first lesson of the week and couldn’t see the screen for crap. Went to the eye doc and now I have to I have cataract surgery. But I am going to pick it back up, listen to the audio then practice what I know . Any other suggestions? I am open to what ever, by the way I am not very good period.
Thanks Rob
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12 Replies
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Sorry you are having these struggles. My only suggestion is to keep at it. Consistency is your friend. Perhaps just practice things that don’t require seeing the screen, or have someone read the tab for you.
At least it’s just a temporary setback. Cataract surgery will get you back on track.
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Well since I joined TAC some years ago, I too have had COVID and cataract surgery and grand kids and retired so I can relate. And that old guitar is a great companion through all these life changes. So don’t worry about being lost. Just keep following the TAC path for 10 minutes a day. Trust the process. You will find your way. Playing for grand kids is worth the effort. But just the joy of simple music adds to your quality of life.
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Rob, I am sorry you’ve had such a difficult time lately. Don’t let it be the reason you give up. It will get better.
No one is “very good” when they are just starting out. Every single person learning something new struggles to grasp that new concept. Compare yourself to yourself. To how much you’ve learned since you started. Celebrate the little wins as much as the big wins. These wins start to add up and grow. All of a sudden, ‘things’ click into place and the lessons get easier.
If you could have someone read the notes to you and record it at the speed you wish to play – use a voice recording app that usually comes installed on your phone or computer – and play it on repeat. Start slowly, and build up the tempo.
I wish you all the best,
Jeanine
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only one question from me @Rob503 , did you pick up your guitar and play today. If nothing else follow Tony. It is simple and it works. 10 min. Listen, think, play. Keep those eyes closed. Once the guitar is in your hands it doesn’t change positions. Work on connecting your ears to your fingers. You are going into uncharted waters. Have an adventure. Remember we are all adventuring together with the maps Tony provides. Hang in there. I am hanging right next to you. : )
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Hi Rob,
Sorry this is happening to you. I’ve found life cycles are the hardest when you want to do something in the mind, but the body is saying otherwise. Definitely pick up your guitar and play, but also realize the results might not be up to your standards and that is okay.
What will improve your guitar playing while waiting for the surgery and you can start tomorrow is to listen to music. When I say listen, I mean really listen. Pick an artist you like and your favorite song by him/her and be a detective. Try to determine the following: Key of the song, chorus & verse, chords being played, the tempo/timing, pitch, etc. Tear that song apart that you know it front and back. Why does it work? Is it the key? What makes the song tick? Why did the artist pick a certain chord sequence? What instruments are being used? Analyze it and use your ears to recognize the subtle changes that are happening.
For example, tomorrow is the Wagon Wheel benchmark – listen to the original song, listen to what Bob Dylan wrote, and then go back to the techniques Tony are teaching. See how everything fits in. Also keep listening to the rhythm of the song over and over and over again, so the brain will tell your hands what to do subconsciously. I suspect even though you might be rusty and your eyesight is weak, just by listening will expand guitar skills as well as your music knowledge in general. Good luck with the surgery and definitely heal up quickly!
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dang man. hang in there. you could tune with tones instead of lights. maybe practice slide guitar with open tunings and such?
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So sorry Rob! Hope you keep on rockin’!
One thing that occurred to me is that Tony is pretty good about explaining exactly the string, the finger to fret with and pick direction in a step by step manner. If I were not able to look at the computer screen I think I could do 1 or 2 measures each day just by listening and doing. That should keep you going!I know it’s not easy and I am not belittling what’s going on with your eyesight.
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Hey @Rob503 I hope your health issues are netter soon. I know the set back must be a little depressing, and you may feel so deflated that you’ve contemplated throwing in the towel. I hope that’s not the case. I might take a slightly different approach to your situation. My suggestion is take time to heal. That is most important. I got tendonitis and tennis elbow in my 2nd year of playing. I was told I had to refrain from playing until healed, which might be a few months to a year or more. It was the hardest and most frustrating thing I had to do. I was afraid of falling behind, losing momentum, etc. I didn’t necessarily play, but I decided to find creative ways to stay connected. I decided to continue to go on the site every day, and to simply watch the daily lesson. I did not pick my guitar up. I reviewed some of Fretboard Wizard, I listened to some to try and determine the key of the song, and I dove more into different aspects of theory As my arm began to feel better, I began working on simple songs in alternate open tunings. Point is, heal up. The guitar is a very patient instrument. We need to get over our impatience. Good luck with it all.
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Truly sorry you’re going through all of this, as so many others mentioned, do try to stick with the daily feeds and just do ‘your’ best. Personally, I have so much fun playing guitar it’s sort of a therapy I guess so I do it a lot longer than 10 minutes but just do whatever you can. in time you’ll really be amazed at how much better you’ve gotten I’m sure.
Good luck with the surgery,
Tommy~
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A week or so ago, one of our TAC sessions was “Somebody Holds the Key.”
Play that at least once a day, five to seven days a week.
Please keep in mind that my opinion may be worth what you paid for it. 😉
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Thank you all for your kind remarks. I am finally able to start again, so here we go. 🙂
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yep, gang’s all here! let’s go. Glad you are back on.
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