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2nd Year TACiversary
I am actually 2 plus months past my 2 year TACiversary. So, what’s my problem? Well, my problem is the same as it has been for my entire life; my problem is me. 🤔
So, yeah, change can be tough for all of us. I have struggled with the TAC site change. I used to spend a lot more time on the forums than I do now. But that’s ok; there was never any kind of requirement for me to spend a certain amount of time on the forums, even when I was a “mentor”. What I have noticed, is that people who are on the forums occasionally and even irregularly can inspire me by a post or comment. And that’s the whole idea, right? So, here goes. 😋
First, let me say that there isn’t actually any problem. My perception that there is a problem is my own critical thinking. Perhaps the biggest thing I’ve learned from TAC and Tony’s method is that I shouldn’t judge myself. I should see any “mistakes” or inabilities as an opportunity to improve; something to work on. That’s part of the method; write down an intention for my next or future practices based on things I didn’t do as well as I’d like. But more than that, I should actually look for things I can be happy about and give myself a pat on the back; that is a #small win. Now obviously, these things transcend guitar playing. TAC has led to improvements in my guitar playing, guitar practice, and how I deal with life and others. 🥰
Ok, second, let me say Tony has helped me a lot by his very laid back way of doing things. His videos are done in a typical “musical” way. What I mean is, live music is a one shot deal, no redo’s. And that’s what he does with his videos; he just keeps rolling regardless of any mistakes. He just incorporates mistakes into his comedic presentation. It used to bug me, but now I find it funny and inspiring how he can just make it happen and be ok with it however it goes. That’s what’s needed to do live music. So that’s what I’m doing here, no edits. 😉
Third, I’d like to say a “little” something about my guitar playing. I started 22+ years ago just learning from books, and one book especially, “The Complete Guitar Player”. When I joined TAC 26 months ago, I was a decent guitar player; using open chords only and one, above-beginner, strumming pattern and only about 20 (at best) simple, folk style, songs. So, the pat on the back? I could play the F barre chord (E shaped F chord), and the Bm barre chord (Am shaped Bm chord) and I knew a little about music theory, including chord construction and the circle of fifths. The reality is that almost everything here on TAC was challenging for me, including the 30 Days to Play course and the Friday chord transition lessons. Especially difficult (ok, challenging), was any kind of picking, whether fingerpicking or flatpicking. 😑
So what has changed (improved)? Well, right from the start, of course, I was introduced to picking. I became interested in fingerpicking. I never was interested in flat picks, but for most of 2 years, I used flat picks for the flatpicking lessons. Now, I use finger picking for all the lessons. Why? Because I’m allowed and that’s what I want. 😁
Ok, so what about specifics? Well, the people on the VOMs have assured me I have improved a lot. That’s wonderful feedback. Also, last week’s Thursday rhythm lesson, “Shrunken Head”, I was able to play well enough to maintain a slow, but steady rhythm. It used a boom chick strum and chord shapes up the neck. Both of these have been beyond me so I was amazed that I could play this lesson. Then this week’s Thursday rhythm lesson used a common finger picking pattern and incorporated a hammer-on/pull-off embellishment. Also, it used the mini F which I have struggled with. Yet I was able to play this at a slow rhythm also. For me, this is huge. But there’s even more. I have learned how to do recordings in several different ways; I can use a DAW and an audio interface; I use a virtual mixer on my computer; I can use video editing software; I can use streaming software; I have my own Pro Zoom account and host Virtual Open Mics; and I even have a drum beat pedal and a looper pedal, which I have yet to use, but hey, I wouldn’t even have known what those were a couple of years ago. But I still haven’t touched on the biggest thing as far as my guitar journey is concerned. 😜
TAC has taught me how to be a guitar player. I mean, my guitar journey is self sustaining. I will use TAC as part of my routine till the end if possible. But if for some reason I could no longer use TAC, I know how to be a guitar player, enjoying my playing and continually improving. In other words, I know how to dig in without digging ruts. Ultimately, that’s what I wanted when I joined even if I didn’t recognize that at the time. 😎
MG 😀
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40 Replies
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Congratulations on your progress and thanks for sharing @MikeGaurnier .
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Now that wasn’t long winded at all @MikeGaurnier ! I like the fact that you continue to improve and are not afraid to share mistakes and struggles and big and small wins in your journey. I’ve noticed a vast improvement in your playing over the past year, and you’ve shared that with us in the VOM’s. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better over the year, and I look forward to many more. And don’t discount the flatpick. It can be your friend also.
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Thank you @Loraine . It felt a lot longer when I was writing it than it seemed after I posted it.
Anyway, regardless of what we think about the new platform, the “magic” of learning from each other and getting to know each other still exists. And the growth is so wonderful, both to see it in others, as I have seen in you, and to experience it ourselves. I am so glad that I will be able to get to know you better and see your continued improvement. I bought a lifetime membership when I could. Now, I couldn’t afford the yearly price.
Flat picks are very cool as are thumb picks and finger picks. But at this time, I want to focus on one of the choices. It may change in the future, but for my entire 22+ years I have not had interest in using flat picks myself though I enjoy hearing what others do with them. But, there is a big difference between what I enjoy seeing and hearing others do and what I want to do. I have thought a lot about why I only want to stick with fingerpicking and I can’t come up with a good reason other than that’s what I want. I suspect it has something to do with being overwhelmed easily and there is already so much to guitar. This one thing I can keep a little simpler.
Thanks so much Loraine, and I’ll see you in a VOM soon.
MG 😀
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Gongratz, @mikegaurnier on your second TACiversary.
It is impressive to see how far you have progressed in just two years.
The best of luck to your future guitar journey 😀-
Thank you so much @Niels .
I thank you for validating my improvement as it helps me see it more clearly. And I have seen growth in you also. That seems to be a very consistent thing here at TAC.
MG 😀
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Hi @MikeGaurnier , Happy 2nd TACiversary🎂🤩 🎂
The story of your journey (to this point), and the different aspects that you touch on within your journey, are thought provoking😱 and inspirational🤔 I wish you many more TACiversaries 🎂and a pleasant continued journey😎 with many more easily “noticeable”(lol) improvements💡🤩💡
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Thank you very much @Bill_Brown .
I find your reason for playing guitar very inspirational myself. I completely agree that playing guitar is a way of honoring your son and music is healing. And I love that you like playing songs that your wife likes. After all, music is about sharing.
I hope that we can continue to inspire each other and get to know each other better. I would love to see you sometime at one of the VOMs. The only one I make consistently is the Sunday VOM. Every other week, I host the Sunday VOM. But I make the others when I can. They are a big part of my guitar journey now.
MG 😀
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Congrats on completing your 2nd TAC year @MikeGaurnier . Great accomplishments in your story. Thanks especially for being a VOM host. Don’t forget to take it easy on yourself and the people around you. Also, be more accepting of yourself and others and get rid of those expectations. You’ll have a much easier and more pleasant journey going forward.
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Thank you @Vic-G .
I love being a VOM host and I’m grateful to you for leading the way. But I especially appreciate you for having the willingness to tell me what I need to hear, I have improved an awful lot regarding my expectations and “being hard on myself”. Yet it is something I still need to hear on a regular basis. I have quite a ways to go. In fact, what I’ve learned about making changes is that we never really get there until we stop trying to make improvement because those are always minor, and instead actually turn around 180 degrees. So what I need to do on this is an about face.
Thank you again, MG 😀
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Happy 2nd TACiversary Mike. You’ve come a long ways my friend. Here is to another year! 🍸🧙♂️😎
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Thank you so much @Marty357 .
I am really happy to be a part of this “movement”, everyone being encouraging and everyone making progress in their guitar playing. I see great improvement in everyone, including you Marty. I look forward to another year.
MG 😀
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Congrats @ MikeGaurnier on your 2nd Anniversary
I enjoyed reading about your guitar journey. Thank you for all the help you have shared over the past year. Your journey is inspirational. By the way, about 8 week’s ago I attended a VOM and listened to you sing and play John Denvers Country Roads. Motivated me to participate the next night playing some strumming patterns…. Congrats again
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Thank you @MarkD66 .
The amazing thing about TAC is when we take action to make improvement for ourselves, we are also helping others. It just keeps going around. I’m grateful that I have had the opportunity to help you and others and I’m grateful for all the help I’ve received. Thank you for letting me know how my efforts have helped you. I really appreciate that. I hope to see you in future VOMs.
MG 😀
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Mike-
Thanks for sharing this— and all the other help & advice I’ve been able to snarp-up in my 8 months in TAC.
Keep droppin’ those breadcrumbs…. they mark the trail.
Mark J
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Thank you for your reply and encouragement Mark ( @mkjohnsons ). The guitar journey is a wonderful one and this community surely helps. I am grateful to be a part of it.
MG 😀
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Congratulations and Happy TACiversary Two, @MikeGaurnier ! 👏🌞🎶🥈👍
I enjoyed reading about your journey from your year-2 perspective. You are an encourager of others, and I hope you always turn the tables and continually encourage yourself too. Thanks for all you do with the VOMs. 🎤🎧
You motivate and inspire us all! 🙂
May your guitar journey continue!!!🎵🎸
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Thank you @Michelle-PSL ,
I love to help others, Michelle. I really want to do the same for myself. And I love the VOMs. I get motivated by you, also. Looking forward to another year of TAC and all my guitar geek friends.
MG 😀
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H happy tacaversary. I loved the story! Here is too many more years of progress
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Thank you so much @Alfred . I look forward to more guitar happiness. Oh, and I miss you on the VOMs.
MG 😀
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@MikeGaurnier I appreciate your sincerity and frankness when sharing your second Taciversary accomplishments and goals. We ARE enjoying our journey with no end in mind.
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Thank you @albert_d , it’s a wonderful journey to share.
MG 😀
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@MikeGaurnier Congratulations on your #2 TACiversary! A wonderful post, you really provide a great summary of your guitar journey. All the best for your TAC year #3!
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Thank you so much @Ted_D . I appreciate the well wishes. I’m sure that we will continue to improve through this next year. That is something TAC brings to our guitar journey very reliably. And the wonderful thing about this community is how we all learn things from each other that we hadn’t managed to pick up from the lessons and videos we have watched. I’m so glad to be a part of this.
MG 😀
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Well @MikeGaurnier I am a bit late seeing this but your second Taciversary musing really does demonstrate you are a true guitar player. With TAC you clearly have improved your physical attributes with guitar but, perhaps even more significant, the mental ones to enjoy the journey present and future. I look forward to continued forum dialogues with you and, since we are located not too far way from each other in North Carolina, the opportunity to get together.
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Thank you @Guitargeezer-Jack , for your supportive comments. But us connecting is the really big deal. TAC has been instrumental (pun intended) in getting numerous people together, including across that little pond between us and Europe (another pun I’m trying to ignore). Maybe we’ll be able to record some of our guitar jam when it happens and post it on TAC. That always inspires others. I know it has inspired me when I see videos of people TAC brought together.
MG 😀
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👍👍 MG!
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Yah Buddy @MikeGaurnier “Dig in without digging ruts.” The long and the short of it. Well said. Wishing you many more years of fast progress toward your goals.
Thanks for helping me become a better player!
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Hey @jumpinjeff , thanks for your constant support and encouragement. I couldn’t be happier than to think I have helped you some. I have been such a ridgid perfectionist that I could never have heard the message about NOT mastering guitar without down home wisdom. Your many proverbial quips always made me stop and think. And here I am, starting to actually get musical.
I always wanted to be able to “ski down” the fretboard. In other words, I wanted to play the guitar like I had skied. When I was on the ski slopes I was a different person. I was kind to others and always grateful. Now I realize that when I skied I wasn’t trying to “master” some kind of technique, instead I was focused on a feeling. Yes, I became really, really good on skis. But I always had fun and always found the feeling that locked me into the zone. When I was young, I didn’t learn by being taught in the traditional way. I learned by watching others and then I’d focus on feeling like they looked. I know it sounds hokey, but it worked.
Skiing depended on body position, and you can see that. Music is sound, and you can’t see it. What you see someone else do isn’t what’s important. It’s what you hear someone else do. Every guitarist develops their own style, but they can all create a sound that blends together. I guess what I’m trying to say is I am now using my ears and not my eyes to play my guitar. And lo and behold, it’s working.
MG 😀
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HI, MikeGaurnier,
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. Congratulations on your 2 year TACiversary! Your story is inspiring to me.
I’m still a beginner player . . . I play daily, and am grateful to be making progress. Tony’s skills courses and daily challenges are excellent and have made a huge difference for me. The community is inspiring and nice, too.
<font face=”inherit”>I’m interested in </font>learning more<font face=”inherit”> about the VOMs and how one can attend, listen and cheer others on. Sometime in the </font>future I look forward to playing a VOM, too.
Congratulations again!!
Happy playing,
Cherie 😀
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Thank you so much @Cherie for checking out my post and for your kind words.
We would love to have you at one of the VOMs. They happen every other Thursday at 2:30 pm EST, every 2nd and 4th Friday at 8 pm EST, every Saturday at 8 pm EST and every Sunday at 2 pm EST.
All the pertinent information can be found at justmusicgeeks.com. It is a very fun forum for any and all of us guitar geeks and covers everything related to our guitar journeys. But along with all the wonderful conversations about playing guitar or writing songs or home recording equipment or current artists or guitar maintenance, etc., the VOMs post their weekly themes and links.
We would love to have you join in on the fun.
MG 😀
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Dear MikeGaurnier
Thank you very much for your kind reply, and friendly invitation . . . much appreciated. Here in San Diego, we are in PST. Let me check out the timing with my work schedule. I’m excited and look forward to attending. Big smiles here.
Thank you for your inspiration. Also, I’ve noticed that you and a few other players make helpful “mentor” comments on the Daily Challenges. Thank you Mike (and others), who share your experience and help/mentor players that are newer. I’ve saved some of your chord and note advice for future reference. Thank you for this, too!
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Happy playing,
Cherie
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