Lost and feeling overwhelmed

[Latebloomer]

Thanks, Joseph, for asking the question that I came here to ask! And thanks, also, to the “old dogs” who have given such great advice. I have the luxury of being retired (74 yrs old) so I put in a lot more than 10 mins, but still feel the overwhelm. But I am noticing improvement, and I now chunk things down so I can actually accomplish some small riff every session. And I have decided to learn some simple songs just to have a feeling of achieving a goal. Keep on keeping on, buddy, and I will too!

[musicrme]

Hey! I thought I’d jump in. I just finished my first TAC month and I agree that supplementing with TAC has been the way to go, for me. Since names have been mentioned, I adore justinguitars.com (also on You Tube) for a graded, methodical approach that truly is designed for beginning beginners and beyond. I am a little ahead in that I play basic chords, so I am going through Justin’s site to find my starting point, then I am going to combine TAC with Justin, along with Lauren Bateman, also on You Tube. Between the three of them, I feel like I am in good hands without having to spend more money or die of frustration. For me, I am not having fun if I can’t do it, so the supplemental instruction is helping to make the fun happen. Tony inspires me to stay in the game, since I can see what he is doing and the approach is attractive — motivating. He kind of give me vision and things to work on that stretch my aspirations and abilities. The skills courses have also been helpful. For me, it’s kind of a matter of sorting it all out with the addition of supplemental learning, which has made all the difference in the world. Just thought I’d share, in case it helps . . .

[the-old-coach]

Hello–

I was in TAC for 3 years, thoroughly enjoyed it, learned a LOT, had lots of fun, and “met” some GREAT folks, indeed!

I would have SURELY converted to a life-membership if there would’ve been some way they would’ve allowed me some financial credit toward that, for the years I was “in”- (total bummer….. but that’s a different story……).

What I realized early-on is that TAC isn’t about teaching you A song- (like many 1:1 instructors, and many YouTube videos do). It’s fast and quickly satisfying, right? I can play a SONG!!!!!

IMHO– TAC’s method is to teach you how to play ANY song.

Being more “spread-out”, you can see how that would certainly take more time……. TAC teaches us thru a much more broad-based method. The “lightbulb moments” come— but slower……. but you REMEMBER them better.

I had a great friend who put months and months— and a LOT of money into 1:1 private lessons. When I asked how he was doing with all of that, he whipped-out his guitar and played a song. I don’t even remember what song it was– but it was pretty good! But when I asked him to show me more…….. he said….. “that’s all I know for now”…..

It was good, but that was likely a thousand-dollar song right there…… that took maybe half a YEAR to learn………. wow……….

Ya gotta be patient with yourself here in TAC-world.

But– the results are DEFINITELY worth it!

theoldcoach

[Kristin1]

A few weeks before my first year of TAC was supposed to end, I asked for a lifetime membership + Fretboard wizard . They just charged me the difference between the two prices because the first year was still going. But that was app. 5 years ago.

Sorry to hear that they changed the procedere.

[the-old-coach]

Thanks for responding!

Yeah, I’m not sure they actually changed their policy.

Bright side is—- I am glad for you that you went ahead and got the lifetime and also the Fretboard Wizard! (I did get the FretWiz, too— and loved it !).

So, in my response to you— I am really hoping “THEY” read it also!

I just didn’t have the cash at the time……. so I just kept going, paying the “yearly” amount- for three years. Right at the end of the third year, I inquired about upgrading to a lifetime membership- (seems like it was~$500). Since I had already paid 3 yearly amounts- (seems like ~$200/year)- I simply asked **IF** there was any way they would “apply” some of that $600- (plus the ~$150 for FretWiz)- already spent TOWARDS my upgrading to a “lifetime” membership.

I didn’t think what I was asking was unreasonable. But, they said- (like your situation, I think)- they offered to allow THAT-year’s ~$200 toward the $500 lifetime price.

So, that was enough to make me walk away, sadly disappointed. I realize they owe me nothing– but it just felt like a “hard no”. As I said, it seems/seemed there should be just **some** credit that showed they appreciated me as a loyal TAC member for 3 years, inc. FretWiz, and an active, always-positive contributor to the Forum.

If we could, let’s put this into world of say, owning a car. Imagine I buy a brand new car from, say, Ford. To compare this to my TAC situation, let’s say I want to trade it in for **another** brand new car, after only three years. But instead of giving me a decent trade-in credit towards a new one, they staunchly say they will give me **zero** for it. That alone would make the difference in me staying-on with Ford, right?– or in my case—- staying on with TAC.

Bigger than that— I wondered just HOW MANY OTHERS would buy the lifetime after the usual 2-3 years, but instead……. quit. To that end, and in that case, TAC just walks away from having many/ MANY more members that want to give them money to get the lifetime membership…… And why would they not want that?….

Well….. that 3-year-old car has value. Like being a loyal Ford owner, let’s say, it seems there’s a value in there for TAC to KEEP their members “on”- (the lifetime buy-in money….. the merchandising/ T-shirts, mugs, other….. the sales of the FretWiz to any who hadn’t already purchased it, etc, etc).

To me, this is a huge opportunity…. lost. And a LOT of members…. just…. gone. A lot of names and help and advice here in the Forum….. just…. gone.

It doesn’t make sense.

But….. it is their choice.

THAT is why I hope they are reading this also! And if they simply changed their mind on this ONE thing– I believe there may be many, new/”old” members coming back. And maybe quickly.

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Sorry to all. I did not mean for my previous, rambling post about lifetime membership, to in any way steer this thread away from its original– and important– thought. The feeling of being “Lost and Overwhelmed” when they first enter TAC-world, is quite common, I think.

Please accept my apologies, and let’s keep on helping those of us who have been thru the confusing start when joining TAC.

[petelanger]

Thanks for so many of you members for your thoughts here in response to Joseph’s frustrations. I’m wrapping up week 3 of 30 Days, so glad I discovered this thread here. So many useful tips and encouragement that I’m sure I will need later. Right now I’m feeling mildly pleased with my progress, but judging by peoples remarks, it’s about to get way, way more challenging.

Have also been thinking about the upgrade to lifetime so thanks for those comments also. I really think Tony should offer that after a few weeks and not during the sign up/purchase process.