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First TACiversary! On to Year Two!
I realize time has been somewhat distorted over the past 12 months with the pandemic, but my goodness a full year of TAC in the rear view mirror already? Yes!
Prior to TAC I had 50 years of fiddling around with guitar, playing for a couple of years here and there, not playing for months, not really focused. It was really an unfocused “hobby”, but I always wanted to succeed and be able to say that I really play guitar!
I came across a TAC advert online, FB, I don’t recall exactly where, and the important piece is I signed up! Tony sold me on the TAC program! It really was what I had been looking for all these years.
I’ll be honest and say that TAC really was a saving grace for me during the lockdown. I was able to focus on something with a new perspective since work had slowed down.
I jumped at the opportunity and signed up for 30 Days to Play, Daily Lessons, and Fretboard Navigation soon followed by my first of three attemps at Fretboard Wizard. I made it through #3 and made the declaration, but #4 is waiting in the wings.
I knew a handful of chords and some basic scales. I could play some songs in a few genres, but I really did not feel as though I was playing very well, because I had not been focused.
Now I have a focus, I’ve made good headway, made it through every lesson for the past year, revisited the ones I liked and wanted to perfect (I kept tabs of those). I had never considered fingerpicking previously, seemed like a dark art, somewhat daunting. I took Fingerpicking Jumpstart and learned Freight Train which I posted after at least 20 takes. Fingerpicking Bootcamp is my next skills course; I’ve just finished Flatpick Jumpstart and need to post Billy in the Lowground. I really need to commit some serious practice to fingerpicking this year!
I’ve posted some other “performances” and have appreciated the kind feedback. I’m not a big poster, still challenged by that damn red light, it’s ridiculous, and something I’ll overcome!
I’ve really enjoyed learning more about acoustic guitars. I’ve had my Lo Prinzi since 1979 and am really enjoying playing for more than 10 minutes like I used to. I had no idea that there were so many small acoustic guitar builders out there. I’ve spent a lot of time reviewing websites and dreaming! I did buy a Taylor 324ce last year. I have a couple of electric guitars. I’ll need to start building a guitarsenal!
I will say that one thought that has stuck with over the past year is something Tony mentioned a while back, which is you have to have intention. I did not, now I do so thank you Tony for that perspective, it’s really helped me!
My primary reason for wanting to join TAC is to be able to play Country Blues, which I love. I really enjoyed the Mississippi John Hurt lessons and will go back to those soon.
I’m really looking forward to year two and beyond. My only concern is that with some normality begining to return, my work demands are increasing, so I’ll have to be vigilant about dedicating time to TAC for the next couple of years until I retire!
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23 Replies
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Happy 1st TACiversary @Ted_D may you have many more! 🧐🧙♂️😎
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Many thanks Marty69!
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Happy Tacaversarry!!! That is a handsome looking instrument in that picture right there!
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Thanks Alfred! It’s a ’79 Lo Prinzi LR-25. They were made by the two Lo Prinzi brothers in Hopewell, NJ.
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Happy TAC-iversary! Congratulations on all your accomplishments over the past year @Ted_D !👏🌟 🎵
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Thanks Michelle, much appreciated!
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Happy 1st TACiversary @Ted_D . Very inspirational backstory, and glad you’re moving onward.
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Many thanks Loraine, onward we go!
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Happy TAC day. You notice that everyone smiles when they have a guitar? Have a great year 2.
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Thank you! Guitars = Happy!
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Happy Taciversary Ted. Sounds like you have really made progress. Posting Freight Train after a mere 20 takes is pretty good in my book. enjoy.
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Thanks ChuckS! Well before the 20 takes prior to posting Freight Train, I had practiced and played the song probably 40 times😀
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Hi, Ted,
Congratulations on your Tacaverssary!
Your story is inspiring.
🙂
I’m looking forward to listening to your rendition of Freight Train.
Happy playing, Cherie
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Thanks so much Cherie, much appreciated!
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Hi Cherie; here’s Freight Train. I think I’ll revisit this before starting Fingerpicking Bootcamp😀
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Happy TACaversery and though the increased work schedule is a given, your 10 minutes can still find its way into the base you’ve started in this past year. Keep having fun.
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Thanks albert_d! Looking forward to what’s ahead in TAC year 2!!
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Happy TACiversary! So happy you are experiencing momentum and enjoying the journey!
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Thanks Marisa! Enjoyment is what it’s all about!
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Well done Ted. When you say a year that seems like a long time, but when you relate it to the pandemic it seems only like yesterday. Time flies. We have very similar stories you and I. I’m only a month in, but am planning on sharing my own story come one year from now. I agree with your “intention” statement and the hesitation of calling ourselves a “guitar player.” I wonder if that is a carry over from the old days of not being so presumptuous as to compare ourselves with the greats who are the ‘real’ guitar players. I think you are a guitar player and you really do play guitar. As do I. I may not be as good as Eric Clapton, but he just practised more haha.
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Thanks MAYIMET! You said it, practice! This journey is a classic case of “cause and effect”! The more we put in, the more we get out. I only wish I had spent sufficient time back in the day to practice. Oh well, no time like the present, right?
All the best on your TAC journey!!
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Thanks for your story Ted.
Liked Freight Train and will have to find the Mississippi John Hurt lessons. I have listened to his albums and tried to play some of his music on the baritone ukulele (DGBE) and had some success and now that I have since started guitar with TAC I look forward to trying the real deal. I learned finger picking on the bari and now my fingers need to develop muscle memory for 2 extra strings. I play with my fingers and playing up-down style with finger took a while to develop. I like to play Red Haired Boy, The Girl I Left Behind, St Anne’s Reel, and Carter’s Tune that I learned from Wayne Henderson at music camp a few years back. INTENTION is something that keeps getting ratcheted up.
Jeff
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Thanks Jeff; I’ve watched some of the Mississippi John Hurt clips from back in the ’60’s and he makes it look so easy. It will take some work no doubt. Good luck to you and yes INTENTION makes it all a reality!
Ted
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