After 1 year, I feel as though I have not improved as a guitar player

[Loraine]

Hi Peter, I’m sorry to hear that you don’t feel like you’ve improved in a year. To clarify, have you improved in playing the daily challenges ar all; do you pick up on the concepts faster, able to place your fingers on the correct strings, get clearer chords, fingerpick, flatpicking and strum better than when you started? Then you’ve made improvement. TAC teaches practice routine and foundational skills and can be used in conjunction with many other sites. If you’re saying you want to do more with your skills, such as playing songs, etc., then there are many other sites that you can visit. Some free ones are justinguitar.com, andyguitar.uk.com, guitarnick.com. Jerry’sbar.com and many more, including YouTube.com (search for easy beginner songs). Also, have you taken any of the TAC Skills courses? If not, you might want to click on the link on the menu and peruse them.

[Peter H]

Hi Loraine, Thank you for your help and advice. I am going to try what you have suggested. I have enjoyed the daily challenge, but want to do something with these skills (not just wait for the next routine) just like you have done. Thanks. Best wishes, Pete.

[jumpinjeff]

Hi Peter, How are you gauging your improvement or rather lack of improvement? Do you have any video from a year ago to compare with your current ability? I found accurate assessment to be an important part of my improvement. Left to my feelings I underestimate my actual progress especially early in my journey. I found my progress never met my expectations. Not saying that is your situation but looking to clarify your improvement metric.

[Peter H]

Hi Jumpinjeff. I do not have any gauge or video to compare my present ability, it is just thoughts and feelings. Thanks for your advice and I will try to incorporate it. Thanks. Best wishes, Pete

[Marty75]

Hey @Peter H It may be one of those things like “ya can’t see the forest because of the trees” @jumpinjeff is right… look for something you recorded about a year ago and listen to it. If you haven’t, do one now and put it away. Don’t visit is till a year later. 😊🧙‍♂️😎

[Peter H]

Hi Marty69. Thanks for the advice. Will look at doing this. Best wishes, Pete.

[Bill_Brown]

Hi Peter, I looked at your profile (which you should update) and it says that you started TAC in April of 2017, but you have only logged into the site 337 days – that works out to about 7 log-ins per month. I’m not trying to be critical, but simply trying to put things in perspective. Perhaps this last year you’ve made more of an effort, but have you developed the TAC habit of picking up your guitar (for 10 minutes or more – 5 days a week)? I believe you would be seeing the benefits if you would truly commit. Otherwise, you’re really not taking advantage of what you’re paying for, are you? Come on Peter, you can do it – we’re all behind you👍.

[Peter H]

Hi Bill, Thanks for your reply and encouragement. The profile is misleading. I did sign up in April 2017 and paid for 2months and then quit. I signed up again in January 2021 and have logged in most days since then and practiced the daily challenge to the best of my ability. To progress, I was thinking to follow Loraine’s advice and go on the sites she mentioned to further my skills. All advice is appreciated. Best wishes, Pete.

[Bill_Brown]

Hi Peter H, I’m sorry that my post came off so harsh. I was only trying to get you to look at the stats, but obviously, stats don’t tell the true story, do they? I said all of that because I believe if one truly commits to this routine, they’ll see progress – I know, because it’s worked for me X10. But I guess one man’s medicine could be another’s poison…? I wish all the best for you in this journey, wherever it leads you.

[Moonhare]

I strongly agree with @jumpinjeff and @marty69 about videos. Even if you don’t post them on the forum (which I do even when they are not quite there yet) it will give you a dispassionate assessment. Something else I did last month was redo the 30 day challenge after 7 months of TAC. I could do those at 2x speed on returning to them but couldn’t do more than 1x at the time. That was a big surprise. And the other thing I do is pick something well beyond what I can play each month, then slow it down to where I can do it and just keep going with it. It is working. Keep at it and don’t get despondent. 🤟😎🎸

[Skyman]

I am brand new here as of a week ago. I’ve been trying to teach myself for the past year or so by watching youtube videos will little improvement. I started taking some in-person lessons about 5 months ago. My teacher has improved my playing ability greatly, and has given me some good things to practice on. That is the word. Practice. Practice, practice practice. So far the TAC course has been a fun addition, as I have a solid practice routine, and can mix what I learn from TAC into my daily routine. Have you done the 30 days to play module? I would be sure to go through that if you haven’t already. There are a lot of hidden gems.

[Sparky1]

Peter, enjoy the journey. We are our own worst and harshest critic on the face of the planet. You are playing a very difficult instrument. As far as your improvement progress…you can’t compare yourself to others. Enjoy the Daily Challenges. The bits and pieces will add up “I have improved” when you least expect it. Keep strumming….