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Year One TACiversary
Warning, this will probably be long…
July 31st marked the end of my first year in TAC. I have to say my guitar journey to date has been nothing short of amazing.
People think I’m crazy to say this, but playing guitar was my silver lining gift from COVID. I was furloughed from work, and then worked from home for a while. And I was afraid that the clock was ticking and I would soon be sick and dead. I know, I know, not a very positive mindset. But I was truly scared, and I guess I’d seen waaaaaaay too many pandemic end-of-the-world movies. So, I decided, since we were all going to die, I was going to learn to play an instrument, and play away into the sunset of my life. 😇
Of course, stores were closing at the time, so I bought online. On March 22, 2020 I ordered my first ukulele. I picked it up easily and realized that what I REALLY wanted to play was the guitar. Time to learn before my fateful end. So, May 22nd I ordered my first guitar. I knew I didn’t want a dreadnought since it seemed so huge, so I bought a ¾ size Yamaha APXT2EW. I tried to play it, but it was just too small. And on June 28th, three months after my 62nd birthday, my Martin 000X2e arrived. Like a senior-citizen Goldilocks, I knew this was just right. 🐻
I noodled around on youtube, and then joined another learning site and went through the beginners’ course, but I was crawling along. Practice just wasn’t exciting or interesting. In fact, it was downright dull. And everywhere I turned there were videos with this long-haired long-bearded dude burning guitars and groups of people jumping up and shouting “Guitar Geeks Unite.” Of course, I had to find out more and kept watching and listening to people’s stories. Finally, I joined TAC, which, for me, was a life-altering moment. 💥
The Thirty-Days-To-Play Course and Stage 1 were simply amazing. The Daily Challenges and the other TAC courses continually push me to improve my skills. Fretboard Wizard was THE perfect music theory course for someone like me who knew very little. (And I need to go through it again!) Most importantly, the TAC community made the real difference. TAC may stand for Tony’s Acoustic Challenge, but, for me, it also meant Terrific Active Community. The encouragement and positive support have been incredible. All of these strangers soon became like a second family to me. I learned that guitar geeks really DO unite! 🤗 All these things combined are the reason why I became a TAC Lifetime Member.
Yes, I am thrilled to have joined TAC!!! But my husband, not so much. Because, along with all the wonderful guitar geekiness I picked up along the way, I also acquired a really bad case of G.A.S. I am now the proud owner of 10 guitars, 7 ukuleles, a mandolin, 2 zithers (lap harps), a keyboard, and a beginner-level fiddle I’ve just won in a charity auction. Did I forget to mention? – LOTS of gadgets and gear. My hubby says he feels like Roberto Duran – no mas, no mas!!! So we cut a deal: I can UPGRADE but I may not INCREASE my guitarsenal. I don’t think he has any idea that I’ve really come out ahead with this deal.😊
My biggest challenge during the year was self-imposed. On January 31st I started a 100-Day Project, and decided to memorize, record and post a song or lick every day for 100 days. Yeah, not one of my brightest moments … or was it??? 🤓 In retrospect, it was the best thing I could have done. I was focused and determined. I learned so many songs and licks, built my own songbook, and gained many skills along the way. With the support of this truly fantastic TAC Community, continually encouraging and lifting me up, I accomplished my goal. I posted my last video on May 10th, and, since then, have taken time to focus more on improving technique, learning better rhythm guitar and fingerstyle. I also started to learn classical guitar and to read music. And I’ve started to dabble in songwriting. So the journey continues…On to Year Two!!! 🚙
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42 Replies
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@michelle-PSL , Congrats on your 1st year! Holy cow you have truly jumped in with both feet haven’t you? Admire your enthusiasm. Your 100 day challenge was brilliant and your improvement was impressive over the past year. You are gifted with a fine voice and your guitar playing is a great compliment to your vocals. Cheers to year 2 🥂
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Thanks so much @Guy_H ! I’m sure we’ll see each other at an upcoming VOM. One of my goals is to attend more often. I admire guitarists like you who are always playing. 🎼🎸
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Hi @Michelle-PSL , Happy 1st TACiversary🍾🎂👏👏 So glad to see your post – great stories and you made so much happen with your guitar journey in one year🤩 Very inspirational 👍👍 I remember the first time we met (virtually – lol) was in the GASing for Martins thread in the old Forums and how much fun it was to chat back and forth with all the Terrific Active Community! Anyways, I digress, hope Hubby is doing well and can’t wait to see what your journey will be like in year 2😎
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Thank you @Bill_Brown ! Still GASing for an Eric Clapton, although I have a CEO7e on order right now. I wanted the factory-installed pickup. It’s supposed to be here in September. In the meantime I have a few to sell (for upgrading purposes 😉). Hope your guitar journey is going well!
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Congratulations @Michelle-PSL . I certainly enjoyed watching your progress on this first year. I still haven’t done my 2nd TACiversary. I just don’t spend as much time participating in the forum as I used to. I certainly can’t blame it on the new platform. This new site works great and I really like it. I just found a new “rhythm” during the transition.
Anyway, I’m certainly glad your fears were unfounded. I didn’t realize how strongly the whole covid fiasco affected people. I should have guessed because you really did jump in like there was no tomorrow. And you became a wonderful asset to the community. You made a very positive impact and I thank you for that.
I agree that your 100 day challenge was a great way to make remarkable progress on your guitar journey. I can’t seem to record anything anymore and I am struggling to learn new songs. But your example is so inspiring.
Finally, I want to mention the guitarsenal. I think 10 guitars is a good number. Some of your guitars are very fine ones and no need to “upgrade”. But if you are allowed to upgrade some of them, you could end up with a stellar guitarsenal. I would suggest you giv e yourself more time to see where your personal style is going before you commit to any more specific guitars. What I like has changed as I have made advancement.
I look forward to seeing where your journey leads you during the next year.
MG 😀
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Thank you very much @Mike Gaurnier . Yes, I did jump in like there was no tomorrow because I didn’t there there was a tomorrow. 😉 Now I feel a bit too laid back. Seeking that sense of urgency and purpose again. Like you, I haven’t been recording, even during the VOMs. One of my new goals is to learn a new song each week that incorporates a new or challenging skill, such as a new lick, multiple hammer-ons, or barre chords, or fingerstyle (still a challenge for me), and record and post my progress. Want to regain that “just do it” mentality.
Thanks for the guitarsenal tip. There are some things I know I really want, like an Eric Clapton or an 000-28. And I have a CEO7e on order. I’d buy a used one on reverb but I want the factory-installed pickup. I’m in a debate about whether I want a solid wood classical guitar or a crossover with nylon strings. And there’s also the question about size. I think the shorter “senorita” 7/8 size would be better. I’ll wait a while on that. Right now I have a used Cordoba C-5 I got on the Goodwill auction site. To be honest, I’m pretty happy with what I have, and my G.A.S. is now tempered with patience now that doom and gloom are no longer looming – well, at least not for me since I’m vaccinated.🙂
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Just wondering, @Michelle-PSL , have you received your CEO yet? I’d love to see/hear it. And I’m curious what you think of it. You have a 000-15 right? How do they compare?
MG 😀
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The CEO is supposed to arrive sometime next month. I’ll let you know how it compares when I finally get it.
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Congratulations on your one year TACiversary! You have been as asset to this community and an inspiration to all
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Thank you, @Marisa !
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Congratz on your first TACiversary, @Michelle-PSL
It has been fun watching your amazing progress in just one year 👏👏👏
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Thank you @Niels , and thank you for all your support along the way!!!
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Congrats Michelle. To be honest, I thought you had been here much longer than a year, due to the posts you made in the old forums. You always came with sage advice and seemed like an Old Tac Pro. Great job on your first year, and here’s to many more.
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Thank so much @Ddtediejm ! I’m old in human years, but still young in guitar player years. 😉
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Well..I didn’t mean “old” in years…
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Happy 1st TACiversary @Michelle-PSL You’ve come a long ways. The journey continues. Let’s see where this next year takes you. 😊👍😎
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Thank you @Marty69. I appreciate all your support and the inspiration you provide with your great performances!
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Happy 1st TACiversary @Michelle-PSL . It’s been a joy getting to know you this past year, and your journey is truly inspirational. You’ve gone much further than I have, but it’s been a joy to watch and listen. Keep up the great work!
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Thank you very much @Loraine. You’ve been such a great TAC friend and a supporter of all my hair-brained endeavors!🙂
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Congrats! @Michelle-PSL 🤩 Thanks for the great inspiration; 100 days, can do attitude, and fully immersing into guitar. I’m very jealous of the guitarsenal you quickly have assembled, Im still on 3 but some day… May your guitar journey continue to be AWESOME!!
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I appreciate your kind words and all your support @Lange22 . I’m sure your guitarsenal will grow with time. 🙂
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Hi @Michelle-PSL. I am shocked to find out this is your first year. I haven’t been here long but I kind of assumed you were a long term member. That us awesome and a really inspiring story. Glad your Covid fears were not realised. You have taken it on in the most positive way imaginable. I think we have all learned a few lessons about the true value of life. Here’s to the next year!
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Thank you @Moonhare! What a nice thing to say! Yes, looking forward to a better future, both in life and in playing music.😊
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Michelle, congrats to ya’all. Very cool accomplishment.
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Thank you @Omar_A.H. !
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Great story and a joy to have shared a few moments with you in this past year’s journey @Michelle-PSL
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Thank you @albert_d ! It’s been a fun year, at least in our small guitar geek universe.🙂
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Congratulations on your first TACiversary!
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Thanks so much @Philb !
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You have made remarkable progress in 1 year. Your dedication is inspiring. Keep up the good work. I look forward to your posts although I don’t follow the forums like I used to.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by
Ron-N.
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Thanks for your kind words @Ron-N ! These days, I’m not much on the forums either.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by
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Congratulations @Michelle-PSL, it’s been a pleasure to watch your progress, and also to hang out at the VOMs. 🙂
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Thank you so much @DavidScoggins! Really enjoy all your VOM performances. Missed tonight’s VOM, but hope to catch tomorrow’s.
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