[Moose408]

I’m 15 months in and still find learning a song difficult.

Part of the key is finding a song you love because you are going to spend a lot of time with it during the learning process. Look up the song on Ultimate Guitar and YouTube training videos. When starting out, you need to Simplify and play it Slow (this part is hard because you hear the speed of the song in your head and tend to want to play it at that speed). If you have an issue with a particular chord transition then stop trying to play the song and just practice that chord transition for several weeks/months until it’s not an issue. Simplify by perhaps only strumming once per chord or simplify the chord, or skip the chord. If you are making mistakes identify why and isolate that section and practice just it. Don’t continue making the same mistakes or you will end up learning the mistakes.

In general it takes me 3-4 months to learn a song that I would be willing to perform in front of other people. Don’t rush it and be patient. Enjoy the journey.

[Moose408]

I too was able to find to find a dozen on meetup and attended most of them. One of them is now a regular Monday event for me.

I’m guessing you were suggesting a virtual event. I’ve never tried that, seems hard but if you figure it out I might check it out.

[Moose408]

The Quick Start guide https://tonypolecastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TAC_User_Guide-v5.pdf recommends doing the 5 day Routine Challenge. After that you jump right into the Daily Challenges.

You are not expected to master or perfect any challenge. The idea is progress over perfection. Consistency is the key, practice for at least 10 mins each day. Do the best you can and move on. Some days the exercise will be easy, others it will be impossible. Just give your best try and move on to the next day. The challenges will come around again at which time you will get a little further.

[Moose408]

Nicely done.

Would be nice to see your hands in the video. Either move further away or rotate your phone 90 degrees next time.

[Moose408]

It works for me on my iPad

[Moose408]

Improving your reach takes time. It’s fine to use your pinky in most cases although most people struggle using the pinkie in the beginning because it doesn’t have a lot of strength

Tony has a stretching routine in the Skills courses, it is less about up improving your reach but does help.

Another thing to pay attention to is your technique. Lower the thumb on the back of the neck, and make sure your knuckles are parallel to the bottom of the fretboard by moving your elbow close to your side. If your knuckles are not parallel it is very difficult to get the stretch needed (it took me 9 months to figure that out).

[Moose408]

It is fine to move on. The philosophy is forward progress over perfection. So if you are motivated to move on then go with it. Consistency in your practice schedule is the important thing. Try to play for at least 10 mins every day if you can.

[Moose408]

I think this is a new topic that appeared with the recent web site updates as I don’t recall ever seeing it before.

[Moose408]

I used the search term “guitar meetup toronto”

[Moose408]

There looks like there are a lot of choices in your area

https://www.meetup.com/toronto-guitar-meetup/

https://www.meetup.com/toronto-music-meetup-group/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/321271885213875/ (Toronto Guitar Group)

https://www.torontoguitarschool.com/classes/toronto-guitar-jam-and-social-2/

https://www.meetup.com/topics/beginning-guitar/

https://www.meetup.com/topics/acoustic-jams/ca/

https://guitarworkshopplus.com/toronto/ (More of a week long camp)

meetup.com

Toronto Guitar Meetup | Meetup

The Toronto Guitar Meetup is your destination for guitar related learning, jams, workshops, concerts and other activities. Some of our events are free and for others, there is a fee which will be clearly indicated.If you have any guitar related … Continue reading

[Moose408]

Where are you located?

[Moose408]

https://tonypolecastro.com/family-forums/forum/benchmark-progress/<div&gt;
</div><div>Click on “New Discussion”</div>

[Moose408]

Maybe you need to add it, maybe not. A G-chord is a G-chord, some may sound a little fuller or richer but that are all going to sound like a G. So you may be able to use the one on already know.

[Moose408]

The idea is you spend at least 10 minutes on the challenge. If you are struggling with the whole thing, you simplify, or maybe just spend the whole 10 mins on the first measure. Then mark as complete and move on to the next day.

There is never a reason to fall behind. You do the best you can each day. Don’t try to perfect it. Somedays it will be easy, somedays it will seem impossible. Either way you mark as complete and a new challenge will be waiting for you tomorrow.

[Moose408]

I would encourage you to try for 5-7 days a week even if you only practice for 10 mins. Creating consistency in practice is a cornerstone of Tony’s method.

It is so easy for missing a couple days turning into a week, a month, year to stopping learning guitar.