[BrandonK]

Hi Everyone,

I am trying to better understand lesson one and how to use the Patterns. I understand

1. E String Pattern 01 and how to use it.
2. E String Pattern 02 – I understand how to get it set up but not sure how to use it after that. and that goes the same for A String Pattern 01/02.

[BrandonK]

Thank you everyone for the responses! — I wanted to circle back and say a genuine thank you.

I didn’t expect this thread to turn into such a deep and helpful discussion, but it really helped me recalibrate both my mindset and my focus.

A few key takeaways that really stood out to me, and I want to acknowledge some of you directly:

• @MattTX_24 helped me reframe what “being able to play guitar” actually means — that feeling of recognizing the sound of a song you love coming out of your own hands, even if it’s imperfect. That “a-ha” moment you described really landed for me.
• @Acoustically_Challenged reminded me that simply picking up the guitar and playing already makes you a guitar player — and that progress isn’t linear. That reframe around identity vs. destination was huge.
• @jumpinjeff shared a long-view perspective that really stuck with me — the idea that freedom comes with time, repetition, and determination, and that intuition eventually replaces conscious effort. It was reassuring to hear that even without “natural talent,” this is still absolutely attainable.
• @Skyman911 made two points that really resonated:
1. rhythm and tempo take time and daily consistency, and
2. acceptance of where you are is what unlocks fun — and without fun, progress stalls. That hit home.
• @Moose408 gave very practical advice that helped me identify my real bottleneck: rhythm and strumming need to be practiced intentionally and in isolation. Muting the strings and focusing on the strumming hand is something I’m now building in.
• @TMutter and others reinforced how much environment and accessibility matter — guitar out of the case, playing along with recordings, even simple “guitar karaoke” as a way to internalize rhythm and phrasing.
• @the-old-coach consistently reminded me that TAC provides the map, but it’s up to each of us to choose the path — and most importantly, to never forget the fun part of playing. Your reminder that some challenges are simply beyond where we are right now helped me stop treating every Daily Challenge like a pass/fail test.
• @albert_d and @jorgemac both reframed what it means to “play” — that being a guitar player isn’t about perfection or comparison, but about expression, exploration, and joy. The idea of ebb and flow was reassuring.
• @Loraine, your post meant a lot. Hearing that your real breakthrough came after frustration — and that you almost quit right before things clicked — was incredibly grounding. “Don’t leave before the magic happens” is something I’ll carry with me.

What I’ve realized about myself:
I’m probably further along than I feel, my specific gap is rhythm, tempo, strumming patterns and the Daily Challenges.

That is potentially why I feel like I am not having fun. Which also be that I am at a breaking point meaning either I continue and all of the sudden there is a break through. Or like I have read, some people quit, which to me is not an option, I will grind it out.

So my adjustment going forward is simple and focused:

1. Isolate rhythm and strumming (including muted-string practice).
2. Learn a small set of true “back pocket” campfire songs start-to-finish, even imperfectly.
3. Use TAC as exposure and skill-building — not mastery in one sitting.
4. Make sure fun is non-negotiable again, just not sure what is fun for me yet

I really appreciate everyone who took the time to share their experiences and wisdom. This thread reminded me that I’m not stuck — I’m just in the hard middle, and that’s part of the process.

Thanks again, truly.

[BrandonK]

Would you all say you are better guitar players thanks to TAC?

[BrandonK]

Thank you @Bill_Brown for your response, would you be open to doing a zoom call to show me. I am more of a visual learner?

• This reply was modified 2 weeks ago by  BrandonK.

[BrandonK]

First lesson @jorgemac in Fretboard Wizard.

[BrandonK]

Makes sense, I guess over time once the Daily challenges becomes easier I can start focusing on the tempo side.

[BrandonK]

I think this is where I am having an issue, I find currently everything I am doing is a challenge and it’s not fun yet.

[BrandonK]

I have been doing 1:1 lessons with a teacher over the last few months. It has been a little bit of help to answer questions I have but I feel doing TAC I keep having more questions.

[BrandonK]

Thank you so much Loraine for your response and sharing your journey this was really helpful.

The reason why I asked this question is because I have been with TAC for just over a year and following the program.

1. 30 Days to Play
2. 5-Day Routine
3. Daily Challenge
4. Fret Board Wizard
..etc.

For me personally I’m just finding that it’s just not coming together yet.

1. I am struggling to learn how to play songs ie tempo, strumming patterns. I’m learning chords and can transition from one to another now. Just when looking at Ultimate Guitar Tabs and trying to pick up a strumming pattern is puzzling me.

2. Going through the Daily Challenge, I find Tony goes so fast and by the end of the Daily Challenge I feel like I did stuff, but I have no clue what I did and I don’t really feel like I retained it to be able to apply it. I feel like I need to go back through the video in slow motion several times so at least I will understand what Tony taught.

That is why I wanted to check-in with other TAC members because I might be just going through the development phase which is the hardest part and then eventually there is a breakthrough like you mentioned. That everything starts to come together.

That is why I posted this question and really appreciate everyones responses.

[BrandonK]

That’s amazing Matt and great to hear, keep it up. I am hoping to feel like that.

[BrandonK]

Interesting. I am finding and this might be I just need to give it time, is that the challenges I walk away each session like I felt I struggled through it and don’t feel like I was able to retain the session that I could use it later.

[BrandonK]

Normally I am doing the chord transition practice while watching TV. To do it in a way that I am not paying attention/distracted. I am going to add in doing it with my eyes closed.

[BrandonK]

Thank you Albert for your comment. It sounds like you are having fun. I think that is what I am missing.

[BrandonK]

I have been practicing transition between chords from A Major, A minor, B Major, C Major, D Major, E Major, E Minor, F Major, G Major. And then go backwards. I do that 5 to 10 times each day. I started off one chord at a time and then strum. Then as I got better I would pick up the pace. If there was a transition I was having I would just practice the transition between those helping to build up my finger strength and speed.

That is what helped me.

[BrandonK]

Sounds like I should focus more on just learning songs like you did?