MattTX_24
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Hey there. The main theme of this program is “progress over perfection.” If you are doing the 30 days to play, at maximum, I would do that in 30 days. But definitely go back to some of those lessons if you feel like you want to go back to them.
For the daily challenges, you do whatever you can and you “win” if you simply showed up and tried. All of the techniques and challenges rotate and come back around, so you’ll see everything again.
There are days where I only feel comfortable with 5% of a challenge. I do what I can that day, hit complete, and move on. The next time it comes around, I might be doing 25% of it. That’s a win!
That is essentially the program in a nutshell. You aren’t expected to perfectly execute the challenges. They are meant to be hard. You should be struggling. Each time through is a new opportunity to continue learning.
Have fun!
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Hey there! I recommend jumping right into the daily challenges. I feel like I’m probably similar to you… not wanting to “move on” to the next challenge until I feel like I finished one. Maybe you didn’t “master” it but got more comfortable.
I’d advise you to completely let go of that mindset for the daily challenges. You may be able to do them easily, or you might only be able to feel comfortable with 1% of it. That’s okay. The goal is progress, not perfection. Whatever you are able to do that day, that is the win. These techniques and exercises will come back around and you’ll continually grow after each round. Have fun!
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Welcome and congrats on starting your guitar journey!
Not sure what kind of guitar you have, but your guitar type, size, string setup, etc, can all have an effect on how easy it is to play your instrument.
Aside from things like hand/finger stretching and simply getting used to playing chords, the guitar itself would be the first thing I’d look at to address your issue.
If you haven’t done so, I’d recommend a trip to a guitar store to play around on a wide range of models to see if something feels any better. Lots of companies make smaller guitars, for instance, Taylor makes a GS Mini or the Baby Taylor, but lots of companies have their own versions. Even if you weren’t able to buy something immediately, it might give you a little relief knowing there are guitars out there that would make it easier for you to learn on. Even something as little as playing around with the guitar’s action or setup (google it) can change the ease of playing.
If you haven’t done any of the above, that is where I’d start.
Good luck and keep at it!
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This reply was modified 2 weeks, 1 day ago by MattTX_24.
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This reply was modified 2 weeks, 1 day ago by
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I am probably going to give more than you asked but it is a good topic for other beginners who will read this.
For myself, I’ve been using D’Addario “Hybrid Light.” The strings are 13, 17, 25, 32, 42, 53. I’ve gravitated toward the middle-ground of string gauges. I’m afraid of going too heavy as they are hard on the fingers and they put more stress on my guitar. These strings are coated Phosphor Bronze. I like the feel of these over uncoated as my fingers slide around a little easier. However, I just threw on some 80/20 uncoated strings from Stringjoy and, although I initially didn’t like the feel, I am getting used to them.
Honestly, I don’t know if the tone you’d sacrifice would be THAT noticeable if you bring the gauge down just slightly. Depends on how much of a musical ear you have. You might notice more from a change in going from 80/20 to phosphor bronze than just switching string gauge slightly.
They sell a lot of sets where you can have certain “medium” strings combined with other “light” strings in the same set. Stringjoy allows
you to customize as well. This might allow you to step down just slightly each time you want to experiment without having large sways in string size changes.I’ve always thought that beginners should always start with lighter strings. Once you’ve progressed to a point where you can handle a larger gauge, then it simply becomes personal preference (but I encourage a lot of experimentation).
I’m a big fan of trying a wide range of string brands/gauges/etc. I think our tastes constantly evolve. I’ve tried new strings and guitar picks that I initially didn’t like, only to end up liking them after I’ve played with them for a week or two.
I bet if you ask 10 people, you’ll get 10 different responses on what types of strings they use (gauge/brand/coated vs uncoated/etc).
One other note, the medium/heavy gauges will put more tension on your guitar. Most well-built guitars are built for it, but if you have an older model, it might be better to stick with lighter gauges which will put less stress on your instrument.
Not sure if I answered your question, but if I had to summarize, I’d say go experiment with all kinds of string types. Even revisit ones you may have dismissed a long time ago (same with guitar pick sizes/types). Sometimes our tastes evolve.
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Yeah, you can definitely finish it up as quickly as you want.
Have fun!
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Absolutely! Many people play it like that, which is nice cause it allows you to throw down the index finger on the 1st fret of the B string when you want to add in a little spice.
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You’re going to hear this a lot, but I want to reiterate it because it is so important to this program. Don’t feel like you have to “master” each skill or lesson before moving on. This is a program where you simply do your best with the time you allot yourself that day, whether that means you feel like you finish a lesson 100% or 1%. Whatever you accomplished is the “win.” Even getting something 1% means you learned something that day and you improved.
As it was mentioned, all the skills/techniques come through the program in different ways. You may not get something the first few times around, but you will continually see tiny improvements as you come back to them.
The 30 day challenge is good to spend time on.. and feel free to go back to. Once you complete that, it will open up the “5 day challenge,” which is essentially the same as the daily challenge but it walks you through the process better. After you finish the 5-day, you can start on the daily challenges which are the main things from then on.
Summary:
30-day challenge – Take your time… don’t feel like you have to master anything but take your time where you feel like you want to.
5-day challenge – This introduces you to how the program works and what the main daily challenges are.
Daily challenge – This is the main thing that everyone participates in daily (once you’ve finished the 2 challenges above). Again, this is the main one where you do what you can in the time you allot yourself, then give yourself a pat on the back for whatever you learned.
Most of all, enjoy the journey! Have fun. Stick with it… you’ll be amazed at all the things you continue to learn. Humans are used to instant gratification. Learning an instrument is not that, but it is so much more rewarding if you stick with it and acknowledge that it will challenge you. It is supposed to.
Cheers!
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This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by MattTX_24.
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This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by
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Yeah, I had no idea what to expect, but it was great! Can’t wait to hear the rest of his work.
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It is a little confusing.
I believe you should focus on the “30 days to play” first. Those are more geared to the beginner. Keep in mind, these are the only “challenges” that you can do at your speed. In other words, if you feel like you can do 2 or 3 or 4 in one day, feel free to do so. Don’t feel like you have to master anything to move on (that is the whole “mantra” for the entire program, btw).
Once you complete that, you will then work on the 5 days challenge (which is in the format of the daily challenges).
Once you complete that, you will be on the same page as everyone and doing the daily challenges (ideally starting on Monday, although it isn’t 100% necessary).
I hope this isn’t more confusing than Tony’s instructions!
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Comments here are correct regarding string breakage (easier to do in open E).
I would add – open D just SOUNDS COOL. You wouldn’t get as much of a “whoa” factor if he did the lesson in open E. Open D, especially for a first-timer, makes you think, “whoa… I didn’t know I could get a sound like this.”
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Yes – this is great advice. Thank you!! I always try to jump ahead to where I think I should be, but I have to remember to slow it down.
I have to remember that I can’t play like John Mayer after a quick practice session.
🙂
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Thanks for sharing. Love this! I was up in Jackson Hole last September. What a spectacular place. Wish I was there right now and out of these 100 degree Texas temperatures!
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I don’t know how Tony could make it any clearer, but I feel like it can’t be said enough… You aren’t supposed to be “mastering” the exercises. Some are easier than others, and yes, there are days where you will be able to play along quite easily. But there are a lot of days where you might only be able to play along with 5% of the exercise, and that’s okay! I’ve come to accept that there are many days where I feel like I hardly was able to scratch the surface, but I still come away with the feeling that I learned something, even if it was just a tiny bit. But that tiny bit keeps adding up.
This is said over and over… do what you can, celebrate the small win, and keep going!
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Nice work! Nice guitar, too!
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Welcome! I hope you enjoy the program! And the people who participate on these message boards are all superb.
It does take a week or two to get those finger tips in shape!
I’m sure you’ll hear it a lot, but try not to get too frustrated with any of the tutorials. You should consider it a “win” for showing up and trying. All of the material and techniques continue to be revisited… you shouldn’t expect to play perfectly like Tony… the point is that you try and continue to improve (even by a little tiny bit) each week.
Cheers!