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  • Omar H. – One year TAC-iversary

    Posted by Omar-guitar-player on June 14, 2021 at 8:31 am

    I completed 1 year with TAC on May 19, 2021. I have delayed posting my “TAC-iversary” until now, I wanted to gather my thoughts and post something meaningful to myself and hopefully to the TAC community.

    1. Where were you with guitar when you joined?

    I have played for the better part of 5 decades but was in a rut, not progressing but rather regressing in my playing abilities, playing the same stuff over and over. I had actually become bored with guitar and with music in general. I would probably be best described as an intermediate level guitar player.

    I had also removed myself from the music community, for the most part, and my guitar(s) were gathering dust. There were things I wanted to learn but needed direction and instruction to do things I had always wanted but didn’t understand the “how and why”.

    2. What are three things you can do now that you couldn’t do before TAC?

    Having completed the Fretboard Wizard course I now understand the Nashville number system.

    Playing 1 – 4 – 5 ? Yeah I really had no clue before.

    When someone would say “we’re playing 1 – 6 – 4 – 5.” I would respond: “That equals 16, so what ?”

    I now can transpose quickly from key to key, which was very difficult and time consuming before TAC. The construction of chords and the chord matrix itself has been a “light bulb” moment for me in many ways, it helped me with my first serious attempt to write an original song.

    Considering that I am mostly a self-taught “folk & country” musician, I have learned the concepts of “alternate picking” and “alternate tunings” and using “tabs” which I had never really considered before. I am beginning to understand why all those songs I listened to sounded the way they sounded and why I couldn’t reproduce that same sound in standard tuning. Years of frustration finally explained.

    3. Complete this statement: “It would be amazing if this time next year I can ________.

    get closer to be able to comfortably and confidently play lead at jam sessions and when playing out at gigs. For me this is especially important on Country, Blues and early Rock songs that I have played for years but only played the rhythm parts. That would be most gratifying.”

    Omar

    David replied 3 years, 7 months ago 12 Members · 15 Replies
  • 15 Replies
  • Marty73

    Member
    June 14, 2021 at 8:38 am

    Happy 1st TACiversay @Omar H. The best part of this year has been meeting you and watching you play Omar! I’ve enjoyed your post and VOM sessions. Here is to another year! 👍😊🧙‍♂️😎

  • Bill_Brown

    Member
    June 14, 2021 at 9:30 am

    Congrats @Omar_A.H. on your 1st TACiversary👏👏👏 I sincerely wish that your 2nd year statement happens for you😎!!

    • This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by  Bill_Brown.
  • Loraine

    Member
    June 14, 2021 at 9:52 am

    Congratulations on your 1st TACiversary @Omar_A.H. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you through the forums and at the VOMs. You’ve been an inspiration on many levels. Looking forward to watching your future progress and what it brings.

  • N-lightMike

    Member
    June 14, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    I really appreciate hearing what TAC has done for you Omar. You seem like such an accomplished player, it’s good to hear how you have been benefited by TAC. It’s really important to realize that TAC helps all of us according to what we are able to do. It can help us no matter how good we are. And it helps us even if we will never be very accomplished. We are all given the direction and support we need to be the best we can be. I have a lot of joy in my guitar journey when I remember that.

    MG 😀

    • Marquita

      Member
      June 24, 2021 at 8:11 am

      @MikeGaurnier – so right in so many ways. Each TAC member is from a different background of music, with a different inspiration and direction for using what he/she is/will be learning. But you’re right in that joy in the journey is key. We can’t learn a thing without optimism and joy.

  • Omar-guitar-player

    Member
    June 16, 2021 at 8:04 am

    Thank all of you for the nice comments and your support, it is much appreciated.

  • Moonhare

    Member
    June 18, 2021 at 12:52 am

    Congrats ! Sounds like a year on you’ve made solid progress and it can only be a matter of time before you are jamming lead with the rest. Enjoy year 2.

  • the-old-coach

    Member
    June 18, 2021 at 9:41 am

    Omar-

    Congrats on your one-year anniversary! I’m about 7-months behind you in “TAC-time” but way-way behind you in guitar-career-time and knowledge.

    Thank you for posting the questions/answers also– good stuff.

    To me, posts like yours lay down a “path” for those of us who come after you, and that’s very important and helpful.

    I really enjoy the TAC program, but it sometimes has all seemed a little “vague” to me- practice-practice-practice, not really knowing where I’m headed other than improving skills- (which by itself I’m really OK with😃). Skill-improvement has to come with some learning, and that’s where I know I need improvement.

    Bright side– Your post gives me a glimpse into what can happen as- (or maybe after?)- I put in the time & effort on the Daily Lessons/ Skills courses, along with some thinking and reflecting.

    Again- thanks.

    Mark J

    • Omar-guitar-player

      Member
      June 19, 2021 at 7:10 am

      I agree that overall TAC is sometimes vague, especially with the new site format. I really wish they had left the site as it was. I am not against change but it seemed the old site was much more engaging for the TAC community. (At least that’s my perception of member activity.)

      I would suggest that you rely on the Forums, ask lots of questions and if possible join in on the virtual Open Mic arrangement on Zoom.

      Keeping up with the daily practice lessons and the skills section, which it sounds like you are doing already, will keep you engaged and help you move forward.

      I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, I consider myself a “long time” intermediate player at best, but I am learning new stuff, so that’s a perk.

      Thanks for the kind comments, Omar.

  • slovett

    Member
    June 24, 2021 at 12:32 am

    Awesome and inspiring reflections Omar. Happy TAC-iversery 🥳

  • Hal

    Member
    June 24, 2021 at 6:54 am

    Well done Omar! Having heard you play in the VOM’s and now reading your TAC-iversary story are great motivators for someone like me . The progress you have made in your first year is so encouraging to hear about. Thanks for sharing it with us!

  • albert_d

    Member
    June 24, 2021 at 7:58 am

    I’ve enjoyed your posts and performances on a few of the VOM’s I’ve attended. You and @AcousticVictor and @BrianSantos are an encouragement to others who are now self proclaimed guitar geeks.

    Thanks.

  • Marquita

    Member
    June 24, 2021 at 8:07 am

    @Omar_A.H. – great reveal. I enjoy hearing you play and sing at the VOMs. This story encourages me and I’m sure many of the TAC members. Congratulations on your TACiversary! Hope to see you again via VOM or in the forums.

  • Omar-guitar-player

    Member
    June 25, 2021 at 6:16 am

    Again, thank all of you for the nice comments and your support, it is much appreciated.

  • David

    Member
    July 6, 2021 at 5:05 pm

    Congrats Omar! You have played so many great songs here on TAC and I feel like we share so many of the same song interests. You have been inspirational and motivating. So glad you are a TAC member!

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