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Seems a lot my friend.
I’m a newbie at 69. I’ll let you know.
I’ve been playing for almost 50 years now off an on. I have about 15 songs in my rotation that I can play but that’s it. Looking to finally expand my horizons!
I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s story. Here is mine: As a teen, I was motivated to learn guitar so that I could play with others at church worship services. Someone loaned me a guitar and I started teaching myself chords and strumming. My parents noticed my interest and determination, and they bought me my own guitar. This was in the 70s, which means that I am the owner of a beautiful vintage Yamaki guitar which produces a rich, velvety sound. It’s made of maple, cedar, mahogany, and rosewood. It has been sitting in its case, neglected, for more years than I care to admit. My new motivation for learning to play (beyond my love, love for music!) is to honor and do justice to my instrument and to my parents’ memories (they both passed in their 90s 10+ years ago). While they were good parents, they were not usually very generous to me and my siblings when it came to material things, so that act of purchasing that guitar for me was particularly meaningful. They even went out together to purchase it, which was also highly unusual. A few weeks ago, I started taking group lessons through City of London (Ontario, Canada) where I live. I admire my teacher, who is a professional musician, and I have been working hard without feeling as though I am making progress. Tony’s approach makes so much sense to me, pedagogically speaking (I’m a former school teacher and recent Master of Education graduate). Also, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate his anti-ageism! I am 64 years old, and so gratified to see so many other people here in my age bracket.
I picked up guitar when I was about 12 and took lessons for a few years. When my grandfather passed, I fell out of the lesson routine and seemed to get too busy working and studying to keep it up. I’m 24 now and coming back to it largely out of inspiration from seeing one of my favorite bands live last month and realizing how much I’ve missed it. Looking forward to this week!
I’ve always loved music of all types, and wished I could play. For my 55th birthday, I bought an acoustic guitar and three months of lessons. I didn’t care for the lessons much, and the instructor pushed me toward electric guitar. I also struggled with motivation to play, because I don’t have an “end goal”. It’s not like I’m going to join a band and become a rock star in my late 50s, so it felt like I was practicing without purpose. I hope this challenge will inspire me to be a guitar player just for the sheer joy of it. When it comes down to it, I just want to be able to sit on my porch and play the songs I love.
Hey Tony. When I was about nine years old, I found my grandfather‘s guitar in the closet. I picked it up. My mom said do you wanna learn, and I’ve been strumming away ever since. I’m at a point now where I have played in a small time band and done some open mics but now would like to learn more about soloing guitar and really what is it I should be practicing. I have a repertoire of maybe 20 songs that I just play over and over I’m self-taught so I thought some disciplined instruction wouldn’t be a bad idea so I’m giving the five day challenge a shot.
Hi Tony – I’m self taught on acoustic guitar starting at age 10. I learned to play mostly folk type songs often using a simple form of travis picking. I have played keyboards and bass (I took lessons for a few years) in an amateur classic rock cover band for the last 25 years. Mostly I’d use tabs and figure out what I needed to play. I am now retired and wish to improve my acoustic playing – particularly as I have now played a couple of acoustic gigs! I would consider myself an intermediate. I am interested in your course and hope that I don’t have to wait for each lesson to appear and that I can fast forward through the parts that come easily to me. So far, I really like your approach.
Hello Tony, Been playing 2 years and kinda got burned out. Time to try something new or forget about it. Thank you for getting us right into a real song instead of just cords after cords. Looking forward to a new start…
i’m 74, and bought my first guitar during covid. i’ve been going back and forth between two well-known online instuctors (to whom i will return). during the summer i pick it up maybe once a week for 30, 40 minutes just so i remember what it feels like. lately, i’ve been working on ‘wish you were here’. i’ve been aware of TAC, saw your 5-day challenge and decided to give it a look. here i am. day 1 has been good.
Really liking what I am seeing! Not even sure I qualify as a life long learner, but have some experience. 74 years old. Feeling very fat fingered and wondering how long it will take to get calluses back so i can depress the strings more correctly.
A bit frustrating but I know the muscle memory is more important now. The picking is a bit strange to me as well. Hopefully that will come more naturally as I play more.
I am a self-taught guitar player for about 30 years. I am a vocalist by training and also play violin and viola. I gig out twice a week at the guest ranch where I work, playing folk and classic western songs. I’ve just got to fall back in love with playing as I am bored to death with my song list! 🙂
Hi Tony. I started playing because of the Beatles! I bugged my mother for a guitar and my first guitar was purchased with Green Stamps! It was the worst guitar ever, but I didn’t know that so I was thrilled. I got a few song books and a chord book and basically taught myself. I seemed to come pretty naturally to me. I gradually got better guitars, and in college started playing and singing with a friend and even did some paid appearances. After college I got a new partner and we were even better. Played at a local club and did well. My playing was advancing and I was really excited about playing. I even decided to take a class at the Guitar Institute on LI which was one on one with the teache. I have to say I HATED it! It seemed like it was taking all the fun out of playing and turning it into a math problem. Not for me. Fast forward, now I’m retired, and when COVID hit, I just pretty much stopped playing. Besides the bit of depression that crept in, the new Taylor guitar I had gotten in 2019 just wasn’t feeling comfortable, so I didn’t play. So, I know that I’ve lost a lot in my playing ability. And definitely lost all my callouses! I’m wanting to get back to where I was and then some. Hoping you will help.
I started playing guitar 2yrs ago. I been tryin to progress but haven’t gotten past basic chords ive taken lessons for almost a yr now. I’ve had alot of bad experiences with learning guitar but im still tryin to learn. Just feels like im always starting over and never getting to the point where I can express myself.
mmm .. i’m pretty much a finger picker. can play some songs that way. i see you are using a pick. if a pick is recommended for this 5 day course can you provide some tips as how to hold..etc
I picked up the guitar at a couple different times in my life and didn’t stick with it until the most recent time 5 years ago at 45 years old. I have taken weekly lessons pretty regularly which mostly focus on learning a particular song over the course of as many lessons as it takes. Then move in to the next song I want to learn. There has been some theory integrated in here and there and different techniques. I have even written a few songs but I want to get better at strumming and finger picking freely while feeling the music and improvising instead of following the way it’s written exactly if that makes sense. There seems like a disconnect somewhere to get to the next level.
Been strumming away at the guitar for almost 20 years and never really progressed much beyond beginner – always playing the same tired songs with easy chords and lacking the knowhow to push myself further. Breaking it down into smaller pieces seems to be the key. Looking forward to the rest of this series of 5 challenges to see what new skills I can unlock!
Im 79 played a tenor Sax for over 60 years. Finally gave it up because of wind it required. Have always wanted to play a guitar so I bought an acoustic guitar. If I can learn to play it I’ll buy an electric guitar. The problem I have is playing chords with my short fingers.
I am an immediate guitar player age 79. I decided 2 months ago to learn more.
4 years beginner here!! Pretty hard for me, but getting better every day….
THX Tony
I have watched this video several times and cannot figure out the technique at all. The video is moving too fast for me by the time I get my fingers to the 4th fret you have already played and I don’t understand all the open C string or D or whatever string you mentioned. I don’t know the names of the strings, so I am totally lost. I find this very discouraging. I was doing better just playing chords I taught myself from a chart.
i agree re the names of the strings. it would be simpler and more under-
standable for beginners if it was 6 – 1 (low E to high E) , rather than E A D G B E.
Mr. Tony! I like your style! Have been playing everything from, in the park jams, to PAID!(amazingly enough) gigs, for 52 years. My guitar is mostly a percussion instrument with chord changes that accompanies my vocals. Working with some incredible guitar players has me wanting to improve my abilities, after all these years. Your 5 day Free! is my starting point. Looking forward to all five! Thanks!
I am having trouble with day 1 we are now at day 4 and still doing day 1. Beginner guitar player but feel like I’m getting better each day
Don’t know how you do it in 10mins as I’m playing at least 1 hour but as i get better hope to get faster at learning
Hi, my name is Tony,I played 35 years ago but du too my nature of work I spent little time and then not being able to play at all.I just had carpal tunnel done to my fretting hand
I basically lost my chords and notes, now that I have all the time in the world I can get
back to playing. Music takes you too a different world,Thanks for the lessons and maybe you would be kind enough to let me know of your courses.
Beginner. Joined Tony’s program during the pandemic. Had to pause for a while because… life.
Lifelong beginner. Start… stop … start … stop and then do it all over again.
Pretty good with the major cowboy chords, but have never been able to get the hang of moving down the neck and figuring out where the chords are played further up on the fretboard. Anxious to get that firgured out.
Just starting my journey day one getting there
I have paid my subscription to you for two years. Still not even a beginner. The guitar won’t get out of its case!!
I played in high school pretty well. Enough to play in a band in a lounge on weekends. Then set the guitars aside and went to work. Always picking them up to play a little.
Last time I played was over 25 years ago with a group was St Patrick’s day. Playing some Irish tunes.
And then life got in the way and I didn’t play anything for 20 years.
Went through throat cancer about 10 years ago and actually bought more guitars but they never got played.
So a couple years ago I ran across your site and really liked your method. So I joined and got about two days in then got sidetracked and never opened up another lesson. Always thinking I’ll will get to it.
Now I’m retired, sold my well drilling business and trying to slow down. So saw you five day challenge and said I’m going to do this challenge to see if I can get my rhythm back, timing back, and maybe even play a song again..
After all these years I do not have any rhythm or counting habits to even strum the strings in time. Very discouraging for someone that played a lot whrpen younger. Definitely not like gipetting back on a bike and things come back. Mine got up a left. And doesn’t seem to want to come back. LOL.,
So my goal is to get through this week and feel something again.
Sincerely,
Garry Z
Wow! Already overwhelmed. I’ve never learned guitar before and I don’t even understand the B E names for cords. I have a few friends that are musicians and in bands . I love music and feel it deeply . So I thought I’d give it a try. I forgot about this and didn’t check my emails until today. Watched the videos and now it’s Monday night 11:36 pm and can’t start at this time. I’m already behind! I’m 61 and doubting my abilities for sure.
I can relate to the life long beginner comment. Looking forward to learning more about the challenge . I’ve been playing on and off for 30 years.
Got it! Thanks!
I’m an intermediate beginner. Been playing for years but never had time to practice on a regular basis. Now I am retired and have no excuses not to learn.
Unfortunately, I feel like a perpetual beginner. Bored with strumming but floundering on where to go next . So far, I’m hopeful with this challenge.
Thank you.
My hight school and college years were filled with playing around on the guitar with friends, that was in the late 60’s and mid 70’s. I love music and my biggest obstacle is that I’ve never had any training in strum patterns or finger picking. I’ve been trying to teach myself Travis picking. I found class 1 very helpful and am inspired by your method. I found it understandable even though it took more than 10 minutes to absorb the lesson. I’ve gone back over it and can see progress.
I’ve been stuck in the beginner to low intermediate stage for quite a long time. I’m definitely more advanced with my fretting hand than my strumming hand, and for some reason my brain disconnects when mixing in different strumming and counting patterns and only wants to focus on what my fretting hand needs to do.
Its diffrenet but i enjoyed it and did the hammer on that i had never done before
A light bulb went off. What you picked and said was bluegrass, was also very similar to the intro to Tim McGraw’s just to see you smile.
I’m a beginner. i had wrist surgery a few years ago a had to fuse my left wrist. I’m trying to loosen it up and have fun at the same time.
love this Tony — and great song to pick!
Been learning for ages and don’t seem to improve
Where do I get the TAB?
This doesn’t play on my mac with chrome.
Hi Aer, A quick suggestion would be to reboot and try using a different browser, or device. Hope this helps!
Im doing it!! Slowly..but Im taking the little bites into it! Thank you
Long term beginner, totally me…singer first, picked up the guitar (bass and piano) later. My knowledge of chord shapes, theories far outweighs my skills (often skipping the fundamentals., because mm, I just wanted to create and play) and getting frustrated with instructions to “play it exactly as its written”. I like the idea of having cheats/skills to get the gist or a box of jewelry to dress up ad libs or jump in with others tastefully vs being pedantic and memorize tabs etc
Using a garage sale Lotus L100. [Acoustic] It probably needs to be set up because I’ve never been able to bar a chord and when I do the pull on the G string, it never comes off because it hits my ring finger on D. Its very difficult to play clean chords.
I have been able to learn Blackbird and can play that with McCartney at abbey road [YouTube] Of course, I cannot memorize lyrics to save my life and 9 times out of 10 I’ll screw up because Ive lost my concentration and forgot where I was. I also enjoy playing parts of dueling banjos, but have not tied it all together yet. Who knows maybe one day I’ll be touched by an angel and be musically endowed like some of these kids that have to be reincarnated Mozarts or Jimi Hendrix’s!
Enjoying the 5 day acoustic challenge. It is a 10 minute lesson that takes me at least an hour to figure out the frets, stings and picks. But, it’s there and if your patient you can get it down. Im enjoying the pulls and slides which may fool someone into thinking I have an ounce of talent. LOL!
Been playing pretty solidly since 2015 but I perform as basically a rhythm acoustic and singer. Toured many years as a sound tech and guitar tech and as a road manager for Bo Diddley, Paul Rodgers, Ronnie Wood but never really played a lot back then. Started as a drummer since 15 yrs old. Now Im looking to get into more picking, riff work and lead soloing, so thought I’d give this a try. Just recently got into more electric also with joining a CCR Tribute band. Nice first lesson.
I have been playing for 50 years. I’m a decent guitarist, but I just simply don’t play often enough. I’ve only been part of a couple bands that were just put together for an event. I played with a band at church for several years. I signed up for the 5 day challenge to get back to basics and to have a reason to play daily, at least for 5 days.
Picked up the guitar a year ago at age 50 after inheriting a couple guitars from my dad. Never played any music instruments before. Been make some progress with basics through a few online instructors.
Although you make this 1st lesson sound easy I’m have a hard time getting the hammer on to match pick notes and getting a clean tone. Also can’t get fingers clear of the string below without muting it. I need some more basic fundamentals help than what you are showing as simple. Not simple for those of us that haven’t been playing very long.
My lack of finger strength and need for lighter strings is showing up. I will keep working
I liked this lesson.
I am a life long beginner I’ve had my little Aria acoustic for fifty years.
Long term beginner is a good description. I started playing during covid but have been crazy busy with work so dropped off. But honestly it had started being a burden. I want to learn finger style since I can’t sing, and maybe I bit off too much too soon. I’m not happy with what I hear and frustrated by my lack of progress. Hoping this fresh start gets me motivated again.