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First TACiversary Achieved!
I could not be more pleased with my first-year experience using TAC. Logged 360 playing sessions, completed all the introductory orientation and several skill courses, fretboard wizard, at least attempted all daily challenges (beginning to improve), submitted seven Play for Us videos, had very positive interactions with TAC community members on various forums, learned from weekly Acoustic Tuesday shows, participated in three 90-Day Progress Parties, and, finally, I am having so much fun doing all of it!
Where was I with guitar when I joined TAC? Had purchased a Taylor GS-mini early in 2021 but had no readily available direction until I discovered Tony and his TAC instruction program while checking out guitar YouTube videos. At the time I could play the half dozen chords I remembered from when I “dabbled” as teenager. Amazing how rapidly the fingers again calloused even though I hadn’t played a guitar for 55 or so years ago.
Three things I can do a year later I couldn’t do before TAC?
1. More than tripled the chord shapes I can play well. Incorporating simple riffs.
2. Singing much more. Developed a collection of my favorite songs (mostly 1960’s – 70’s). I only strummed at first but now I prefer fingerpicking. Starting to figure out the fretboard but not yet a wizard. A year ago, I just stayed on the first few frets. Now I am starting to venture out using barre chords and scales along the neck.
3. Guitar playing has been good for my physical and mental health! My fingers and wrists are far more flexible – in part due to Tony’s stretching exercises for guitar. I have added another purpose for getting up each day! I found out early in retirement one can easily waste an entire day away, especially during a pandemic. Having a consistent guitar routine has provided enough of a mental challenge that I am convinced my memory capabilities have improved overall.
It would be amazing if this time next year I . . .
could hold my own doing an open mic with my daughter and son-in-law (both experienced performers). Still need a lot of “guitar time” to achieve that! I did invest in a more stage-worth guitar and now have a TAC lifetime membership to help me toward this goal.
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