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4th TACiversary
Hey everyone. I’m very excited to hit my 4th TACiversary!
I joined during Covid during a very dark period for me. I was the sole caregiver for my mother who had Lewy Body dementia. I literally had to lock us in the house to keep her from wandering and running away and basically for her protection, it shut us off from the world, and it was a very difficult period.
As an outlet, I decided to try to learn guitar. I was given a 1973 Guild F30 probably 20 years earlier, but I did not know how to play it, and I didn’t really have time to learn, because of raising family and dealing with a child that had emotional and behavioral problems.
I was searching online for lessons or books to learn from and saw one of Tony’s infomercials. I watched and was hooked. I became a lifetime member of TAC shortly after that, and it’s more than paid off.
I’ve gone from never having played, to playing notebooks full of songs. I’m not great at playing or vocals, but I have a blast with it, and I am getting better all the time. I decided a long time ago to simply put myself out there, good and bad, and I’ve grown as a player from doing so. I hope I’ve inspired a few to not be so critical of themselves, to trust the process, to be open to failure, but also to great success.
Who cares if you are perfect?!? That’s not what TAC is about. TAC is about learning foundational skills, and it promotes progress over perfection. It’s all about moving forward in your journey and not getting caught up on having to be perfect. If you commit to the minimum time per day, you will progress – sometimes quickly and other times with some struggle.
If you’re struggling, find you’re not progressing as quickly as you like, have hit a plateau, question whether TAC works, etc., take my word, it does. The guitar is not an easy instrument to learn. It does take work and practice. I was at 3 years of playing and nearly quit. I have a chronic pain disorder, and I am always tight, and this has interfered with fretting, strumming, fingerpicking, and just holding a guitar comfortably. I felt I would never get it and be able to play anything semi well. I was going to a meetup in Florida with some other players, and we had a list of songs. I was very nervous that I wouldn’t be able to play. I spent a few weeks working through the songs, and all of a sudden things just started flowing. I was able to transition between cords fairly quickly, and I was able to learn new chords fairly quickly, and I was able to increase speed and sing while playing nearly effortlessly. As for having a disability that has slowed my learning, I have not let it define my success or failure. I have fought through it and succeeded to some degree. It will always be a challenge, but hey that’s what life is – a series of challenges that help us grow.
So my suggestion is to not quit or give up before the miracle happens. I’ve been on a fast pace learning curve the past year, and both my guitar teacher and myself are amazed at what I’ve been able to do in the years time. Learning is a series of ups and downs. I know that what I’m experiencing will slow or even come to a halt, and all hit a plateau in my playing. I’ve already started to see this,happening. I now know it is necessary, because it forces me to step back and assess the situation and identify what is or has worked, new areas for growth, etc.
. I hope within the next year I can put together some form of finger style playing, but that’s a challenge because I have tremors in my hands and the pain and tightness. But I will not allow that to be a deterrent to me playing. If fingerstyle isn’t viable, then I’ll be content being a rhythm player.
Keep on plunking!
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12 Replies
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Congratulation Loraine! My TAC sister!
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Thanks John! I absolutely love my playa brothers and sistas!
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It’s been good to get to know you and see your progress over the past 4 years @Loraine. Yes, lots of progress. Keep it up my friend!
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I don’t know if you know, but you have been a great inspiration to me over the years. I’ve always enjoyed our interactions and friendships. I truly miss seeing you nearly every week (or at least from the neck down – haha. If you’re ever out in the Philly area, please look me up. I’m good friends with Dom and Sharon too. We could all hang together. :).
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Well thank you Loraine! I had no idea actually but I’m flattered. I rarely make it to the East Coast anymore. My family has passed on or moved away from where they used to be. I got as close as Chicago last month but if and when I get anywhere near your area again you KNOW I’ll find you Loraine. Of course if you ever get to California…
Best wishes for your continued success on your guitar journey my friend!
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Happy 4th TACiversary @Loraine You’ve come a long ways. Keep it going!!!
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Thanks Marty. It’s because of friends like you that I’ve stuck with it and moved forward.
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Your persistence and ability to find joy in playing is infectious. I enjoy walking through this guitar journey with you. Happy TAVaversary.
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I really appreciate that Albert. If it weren’t fun, I would definitely not be here. I think it is easier and funnier because of people like you. Thank you.
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Congratulations @Loraine !! Thank you for putting your journey out there for us to learn. Your struggles revealed your determination. You are determined! I relate to determination. I am also struck by how even after 4 years you find yourself on the face paced learning curve. I too find myself in an ever accelerating pace of knowledge and skill acquisition. It is almost as if the more my fingers can physically do the more my mind can find uses for them. Thanks again Loraine for sharing your observations on your way to becoming the player of your desire. I see it.
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@Loraine , you have been an inspiration to so many of us. And why? For the very reason that you’ve faced so many challenges and kept going.
You said: “I decided a long time ago to simply put myself out there, good and bad, and I’ve grown as a player from doing so. I hope I’ve inspired a few to not be so critical of themselves, to trust the process, to be open to failure, but also to great success.
Who cares if you are perfect?!? That’s not what TAC is about. TAC is about learning foundational skills, and it promotes progress over perfection. It’s all about moving forward in your journey and not getting caught up on having to be perfect.”
Life doesn’t seem fair sometimes. I’ve never worked as hard as you. The statement you made is what I need to implement in my guitar journey. This statement is why you are such a huge inspiration.
I’ve made a lot of progress on “putting myself out there” and not “having to be perfect”, yet it’s still my biggest problem.
Thank you for posting your TACiversary. And thank you for telling us how you’ve done it. And thank you for reminding me what I need to focus on… the most.
MG 🙂
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Thanks so much Mike. We’ve both come a long way I on the past 4 years.
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