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It Can Happen For You Too!
I joined TAC about 2 1/2 years ago. At the time I had played on and mostly off over a period of 20 years. I started in my 40s learning from a book and never took lessons or played with other musicians. I tried fingerpicking but never had any real success and certainly never improved.
So when I joined TAC, fingerpicking became my main goal. I have focused on that ever since. Not exclusively because I have always gone through all the daily lessons and the full range of guitar skills they provide.
Because I was 64 when I started and had never gained very much guitar skill previously, I wasn’t able to play along with any of the videos for a long time. Eventually, I was able to play along with a video on some of the simpler lessons, but it wasn’t very smooth and I had to slow down the video. Even as I improved over time, I never was able to play fast. My top speed seemed to be around 100 bpm.
The theory is that if I would practice as slowly as I needed to so I could play cleanly, then eventually, one day in the far distant future, I would be able to play faster. I literally gave up on that. I didn’t care. And I completely stopped trying to increase my speed.
So imagine my surprise when I decided to find out how far I could go with the Alternate Thumb Warm Up this morning. I was able to play along with the video so easily at the starting speed of 80 bpm that I was a little surprised. Just playing with the video seemed almost impossible for me at any speed for the longest time. I was able to do 100 and 120 (1.25x and 1.5x) just as easily. That alone was worth putting this time in recording a small win. But I thought I’d go further. Why not?
Of course, even though I was able to keep up with 140 (1.75x), I blew out shortly after the sequence started because I was so uptight. Ok, so I focused on relaxing and tried multiple times. I really felt I would be able to get 140 if I could relax enough. Well, sure enough, I did.
So what about the full 2x, 160 bpm? Well, I gave it a try a few times. I almost did it, but it wasn’t going to happen today. Not because I couldn’t, but simply because I have not put any effort into pushing my speeds. With a little effort over the next few days, I could reach this blazing speed if I am willing.
I don’t know that I will put this effort in, but I am thrilled that this was possible this morning. If I am not committing to reaching the top speed in this warm up, then why am I bothering to post this?
Simple. I know there are others like me who have started as older adults who struggle with speed to the point that 80 bpm seems fast. Maybe it’s reachable, but for now, it’s just way too fast. Well, I’m here to tell you, just keep doing the lessons and having whatever fun you are capable of for now. It will come. If I can do it, so can you. IT CAN HAPPEN FOR YOU TOO!
MG 😀
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32 Replies
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@MikeGaurnier Nice win and advocacy of practice and TAC, and how your skills have developed since joining.
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Thank you @Loraine . I know you can’t play right now, but I’m sure you will get better. And when you do, you will be playing better than ever. I have experienced being better almost right away after an extended lay off. And thank you for your continued support of TAC members like myself.
MG 😀
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Mike- Great win– and insightful story.
It’s all in the details for me- (that explains my long-winded-ness😜). Your explanation of how you “ramped-up” the speed is something I’m gonna try. My brain seems to be sharper towards the start of a session, than toward the end, so I may get my hands warmed up only on that lesson for maybe only 5-10 minutes- and then “hit the gas” and see what happens- all early on in the session.
Anyway- thanks for sharin’– great win, great story, got me all fired up!
Mark
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You made my day Mark @mkjohnsons , literally. I was having a bad day, but for you to give me the feedback that I did help someone with my post is just uplifting and what I needed today. Thanks.
MG 😀
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looks like you gave your Tension Manager a raise and seems like that was a productive decision. It is all about the tension, or making it all go away. Mind and fingers. Nice win @MikeGaurnier
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I’m not sure I would have gotten these concepts… ever, had it not been for your persistence in pounding the ideas into my thick skull, @jumpinjeff , so I really should acknowledge you when I have a win like this, even if only in my own head. Thanks.
MG 😀
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This goes back to Stillhand Carol M. She is the one who enlightened me by suggesting I hire a tension manager. hehe. and the rest is history. Her economy of motion is amazing.
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In that case, @jumpinjeff , I’m gonna have to thank Carol the next time I see her at a VOM.
MG 😀
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Jeff- I gotta figure this tension thing out. Is that what’s goin’ on when– the very first few times thru a lick or scale- (Daily lesson)- I seem to nail it………
Then I don’t know what the hell happens, but sometimes it just goes downhill.
Is this what you mean when you say- don’t THINK about it…….. just play?
Many times it takes me the 10+ minutes to get back anywhere near the first couple times thru, (but I figure maybe that might be because of constant repetition?)
Is this the “tension” you all are talking about?
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@mkjohnsons , for me it comes in two flavors one in my mind and one in my fingers hand arm etc. Focus is part of it. I have to be focused on what I am doing and not thinking about raking the leaves or paying the bills. Singularly focused on the vibrations of the music. If you get it the first few times through but then decline….slow down breath, focus, relax hand and mind. Know you have done it but get to that speed where you feel like you could not miss even after 100 times through. Have the confidence that your fingers will hit the strings with perfect accuracy, go slowly enough that it happens. Then move up the speed a fraction. This is where the metronome becomes your friend. 2 maybe 4 bpms. All the while your hand should be so relaxed you feel like you could play it forever. No strain no needless movement just one perfect placement to the next. Lemme know if that make sense to you. Today’s exercise is a perfect one to work on tension management. Simplify and slow until tension is gone and you are 100% precise and accurate on the task at hand. How easy is it to play just that fretted A string on the B note just playing quarter notes and then changing to the C note still only playing quarters and then back again? It will all feel like that.
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Jeff-
Thank you for this GREAT post. This has been buggin’ me for a while now, and this helps a lot. The way you composed and worded it reminded me of listening to a hypnotist! Awesome.
MJ
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Yeah, I gotta agree with @jumpinjeff on this one @mkjohnsons , if you are playing it correctly and THEN screwing up, you are getting your mind involved. At first, your not sure what to do, so your fingers are on their own and doing fine. Then, “I got this”, except what that means is you are trying to take over control from you fingers when they already “had this”. It’s really important to close my eyes and listen so hard to my music that my brain is like turned off when I’m playing a song I already know. I don’t need my head “teaching” my fingers. I need my head out of the way of my fingers.
MG 😀
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Mike, Carol, and JumpinJeff-
Don’t ya just love “exploring” issues and questions like these? Really digging in?
Maybe this kind of issue only happens to me- (but I wouldn’t think so)…..
Recognizing the problem- (going downhill after a few times thru)- is only one third of it. Asking for help about it is the second big thing. Understanding and absorbing the advice, and putting it into practice, is the third.
Discussions like this are GREAT for learning! Logical, well thought out, advice–(which only comes from experience….)– is the KEY– we are all going to hit bumps in the road, right?
Imagine trying to learn guitar all by yourself- with NO help at all…. none….
Wait– I did that for ~30 years🙃………….. and learned nothing.
Can’t thank you guys enough… for the new perspective(s).
Mark J
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This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by the-old-coach.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by
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UPDATE:
So the second day, I notice that I can make a mistake or get started late and still jump forward to where Tony is in the video at the faster speeds. I’ve noticed this before, that I “really” know something when I can make mistakes and still keep up, or get back into it.
MG 😀
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Congratulations MikeGaurnier that is a great win! It sounds like you’re doing well on your guitar journey. I hope you continue to make progress with your speed. 🙂🎸🎶
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Thank you @stevieblues , I had set getting faster as an intention for my practice a long time ago. But I gave it up as it just seemed so far over my head it that it was counter productive. Now though, it seems like it’s time for me to work on speed. So I am working on this warm up this week. We’ll see where that takes me.
MG 😀
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AWESOME @MikeGaurnier. Those are such satisfying practice sessions. Keep at it.
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Thank you @bugmeist . They are, indeed, satisfying practice sessions.
MG 😀
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Nice going Mike…I have experienced some of the same.
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👍 That’s awesome. I’m happy for all of us who receive these benefits from TAC.
MG 😀
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G’day from humid Brisbane🇦🇺.
This is my second day on the challenge.
This the first post I’ve read.
Remarkably, our stories are quite similar. I’m 10years younger than you & I’ve had a bunch of resources available to me that you didn’t, but I’m intrigued with your thoughts & progress in TAC.
I’m primarily a finger style guitarist, I’ve played &learned constantly for 5 years.I like where I’m at finger style wise, but man… have I ever got some flipping great holes in my knowledge, & techniques. Here to fix that.
I’m gonna post up properly after I’ve finished my practice.
Your post makes me feel like this is the right place to lean & connect.
Thanks.
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Hi @Timo67 , welcome to TAC. I think you have found the right place. In fact, the best place. Tony’s method is different than the typical “learn and master” certain skills. Here, we simply do our best with the Daily Challenge and mark it as a win that we spent 10 minutes. Then over time we make progress while we’re having fun the whole time.
I would suggest taking the Fretboard Wizard Course when it comes around. That will surely fill in your knowledge of the fretboard.
MG 😀
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Inspirational post @MikeGaurnier – Looking forward to the day when I will be able to keep up with and exceed lesson speeds with accuracy. Very happy for your wins this week. Play on MG!
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Thank you @Guitargeezer-Jack , you will get there. This program just works.
MG 😀
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Great win MikeGaurnier. Getting the brain involved with just the right balance is tough. And the same is true when the lyrics are added.
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Yeah, I agree @albert_d , it’s difficult to keep the brain out of the way, but then we need our brain to help train our fingers. I think that’s why Tony’s method works so well.
MG 😀
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Well I’m 61 next month, been wasting the past fourteen years going around in circles and you have my complete admiration for your dedication, persistence and enthusiasm @MikeGaurnier
I look at speed in a way that I do what I can as I only play for my own happiness, although I do the Daily Challenge each day since re starting at TAC 10 days ago and try my best to get everything right, but regardless, I’m really happy now with my guitar outlook and reading your post, so should you be. I’m so happy for you getting this small win, although I bet you’re thinking… should this be a big win 😀
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This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by Terry B.
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Your are totally correct, Terry B ( @Tanglewood ), this is a big win. And the good news is, I really haven’t been that “dedicated”. All I have done is what I could on the lessons every day. I didn’t always have much patience. I didn’t always have fun. I didn’t always do any more that just barely my 10 minutes. I just didn’t give up on putting some effort into the Daily Challenge, even if it was pretty lame effort. And that fairly minimum effort led to this really wonderful win. Surprising win, in fact.
Thanks for coming by and commenting, Terry.
MG 😀
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This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by
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Thanks man. Signed up for the fretboard wizard during my initial account creation. Looking forward to it and more learning.
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You’re gonna love the FW course, @Timo67
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Thanks for sharing this. Persistence is paying off for you. More proof of concept that regular practice is key. Way to go!!
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Yes, indeed, @markvguitar . And the cool thing is I have heard others tell about the progress they made and the wins they had over the last 2 1/2 years and sometimes I thought that would happen for me and sometimes I didn’t think it would happen for me. It happened in spite of what I thought.
Thanks for commenting, Mark
MG 😀
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