[MattTX_24]

This is great info. Thanks for sharing!

Yes, a lot of beginners probably don’t realize how much a proper setup could benefit a player that might be having issues pushing the strings down (if the action is high).

I always figured a new guitar would just be “set up” perfectly, but that isn’t always the case.

[MattTX_24]

Here is a link to the first 12 chords most people learn.

I believe Tony has used most of these in his early lessons.

Hope this helps. You should just be able to go to the link and print easily.

https://www.imusic-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/12-beginner-guitar-chords.pdf

[MattTX_24]

Nicely done! Sounds great!

[MattTX_24]

It is tough. I have seen other tutorials (outside of TAC) that will break down a thumb picking sequence at a very detailed level (for instance, teaching 2-3 notes at a time, very slowly). This has been one of the only ways I’ve been able to learn. I feel like it just takes a lot of practice.

I also notice that my thumb doesn’t immediately go back to the bass note string when I am playing other strings at the same time. It is almost like my thumb waits until the other note I play finishes playing… or it waits until I pluck another string to go back to play the bass note. Whereas when I’m solely just using the thumb on the bass note, I can pick it and quickly go back and rest it on the bass note string until I play it again… But this doesn’t happen when I’m going to play other treble notes.

Tough to explain, but I’m sure I’ll get better as I practice.

[MattTX_24]

As Tony continually mentions, you do whatever you can do, and that is the win.

I would say that a majority of people on here don’t “finish” or “complete” or “master” the daily challenges. The idea is to do whatever you can and push yourself a little. You will learn what you learn and the technique will come around again and you will continue to learn.

These lessons will slowly and continually build your skills little by little.

You aren’t supposed to be as good as Tony in the videos 🙂

Enjoy the process!

[MattTX_24]

Hey there! I think a lot of the people in this course and forum are going to be excited to tell you why they like this course. I would assume that if they didn’t enjoy it, they would not be participating in the forums.

I really enjoy learning a different technique each day, and to the best of my ability in the time I have that day.

There might be others who originally felt how you do and could elaborate on why they stuck around????

[MattTX_24]

That’s great! Congrats! I love these little wins.

I’m also a long-time dabbler and this program has really helped me improve in a short amount of time (been signed up for only a few months so far).

Keep it up and enjoy the process.

• This reply was modified 3 months ago by  MattTX_24.

[MattTX_24]

Not going to repeat the recommendation that you might look for a guitar that fits your hands (it would help)… so I’ll just say….

There is no “falling behind!” Everyone is on their own pace. You should not expect to breeze through this program. You just do what you can… you complete the challenges each day no matter how “good” it is on the spectrum. My technique on today’s challenge was absolute trash… I did what I could and I hit complete! These will come back around and I’ll see how much I improved next time.

Showing up and practicing whatever you can that day IS ENOUGH! It is a struggle but that’s part of learning something new.

Keep going!

[MattTX_24]

I probably average an hour a day, BUT, I wouldn’t get too caught up in comparing yourself to others. Everybody on here is in their own life circumstance (retired vs working vs work from home, vs kids/no kids, etc). I’m currently unemployed, and I’m not sure if my practice time would be as abundant if I was working.

Be okay with whatever amount of time you’re able to give. It is reiterated over and over on this site… showing up is a win! There are days that I only get in a quick 10-minute practice and struggle through the challenge, but it still helps in the long run.

[MattTX_24]

That chord is tough!!! For me, I mostly ignore the high E string (leave it open, don’t strum it, or have the left or right hand lightly touching it to keep it muted when strummed). I mostly focus on the next 3 strings (from the bottom)…. Pointer on the first fret of the B string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the D string.

That’s how I like to play the F chord if I’m not doing a full barre chord.

Remember.. guitar is hard. It is supposed to be challenging. Focus on the small wins. Showing up and trying is a win. Each day you will improve a tiny bit and you will be surprised how quickly the small wins start adding up.

Hope that helps! Don’t give up! Lots of modifications are available for almost anything you want to play. Have fun!

• This reply was modified 3 months ago by  MattTX_24.

[MattTX_24]

I’ve also recently realized how important hobbies are and happy I found this program. Keep up the playing! Cheers!

[MattTX_24]

As Pete said, you shouldn’t expect to play at Tony’s speed. You should go at YOUR speed. There are MANY lessons where I only learn a small portion of the “riff” or “technique” he shows, and I’ll slow it down and do whatever I can in the allotted time I have that day and call it a win!

Be proud that you are giving it all you can each day. It doesn’t really matter whether you can “finish” the lesson… what matters is showing up and trying. These small accomplishments add up quickly, and when the tutorial or technique shows up again down the road, you will be surprised at your improvement.

Have fun!

[MattTX_24]

Well said! It is definitely important to have the expectation that guitar is hard, and it takes a while to learn. It is a skill that takes a little dedication and patience.

[MattTX_24]

Some weeks are tougher than others, especially if you’re at the very beginning of your guitar journey, but try to remember that it isn’t expected for you to master any of the challenges each day. It is a “do whatever you can” experience, then you move on. As the techniques repeat over time and you revisit these techniques, you’ll be amazed at how much knowledge you’ve acquired.

No learning technique is right for everyone, but after a few months on the program, it is my favorite out of any I’ve tried. It challenges me and gives me a new idea/technique to try each day.

Also, the “skill courses” (the musical note icon on the left panel) are a great place to focus on a lot of the basics. I like to go back to them from time to time if I feel like some of the other stuff is too challenging.

Don’t forget (especially if you just started playing), learning guitar is not a walk in the park. I don’t know anyone who has learned quickly. I think everyone wishes they were further along than they think they should be. In this day in age where we are used to immediate gratification, learning guitar can be more of a slow burn. With that said, the small wins that start to build up (even early in your journey) are very gratifying and fun. But it is always good to temper expectations at first.

If this isn’t for you, I hope you do find something that works for you.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by  MattTX_24.
• This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by  MattTX_24.

[MattTX_24]

They “start” on Mondays but I wouldn’t worry about starting on another day of the week. Since the weekends are free, you could work on one of the “skill courses” over the weekend until Monday.

Have fun!!