[the-old-coach]

Hang in there.

If learning guitar was easy, everyone would be doing it, and it wouldn’t be special.

If learning guitar was easy, you would NOT get that fantastic feeling of accomplishment every time you (finally) get whatever you are struggling with….. done successfully!

If learning guitar was easy, you would NOT get to “see” all the places along the way in your journey. Focus on the TRIP, not the destination- (which, by the way, does not really exist—— there is no end to how much you can learn).

My two cents— EXPECT it to be difficult. WANT it to be difficult. Plan on it, and enjoy that.

Give yourself the credit you have earned with each and every “small win”. This is soooooo important!

DON’T compare yourself with anyone else.

[the-old-coach]

MrFred–

I just LOVE your post here! And, wow, it is very true! I think that’s one of the reasons that so many folks give-up when picking up the guitar; is that the results they expect are NOT instant. Many times, you don’t even realize your brain IS actually picking this stuff up…. but it takes some time— like you said— and then, out of the blue— there it is!

Again– (like always)– your post is right on. Thanks for posting it!

[the-old-coach]

Welcome!

PhilB and Loraine have nailed it….. again.

To me, one cool thing about TAC’s philosophy of teaching is that you will be learning from the ground up. It will stick with you, and build upon itself.

You’ll find that– the more you learn, the more there is to learn! It will open up new doors of guitar-learning.

[the-old-coach]

This may be a little easier to understand. This simple, short, video, shows you how to find any note you want, everywhere it is located on the fretboard. That in itself may not be all that useful to you right now, but it is a very important step. A LOT of guitar-learning starts right here- (building on this simple concept of finding your root-notes…. all the way up the fretboard). Hope this helps a little.

https://youtu.be/PL93vtHIBx4

[the-old-coach]

Just remember, you don’t have to memorize every note on every string. Yes there are 6 strings and each string has ~20-whatever frets……. 120 different notes, oh no!

To make things seem WAY less overwhelming, remember, there are only 12 notes, period.

Decide on whatever note you want. Just pick one. Find that note on whatever string you want. Any note, any where, any string. Now focus on the FIVE pattern-shapes in the video. They show you where every location of the note you chose is located on the entire fretboard.

And remember- they are all moveable.

Any note you choose, on any string, any where. Whichever note you chose doesn’t even matter……… Just learn he patterns in the video……. That’s all you need!

[the-old-coach]

My two-cents goes along with others already here.

Pick a song you like- (any song you can think of- doesn’t matter).

On your computer, type in (your song’ s title), and also the word “chords”.

Various “TAB” song sites will come up. (My fave is probably “e-chords”).

Click on whichever site you want.

Your song— in TAB version, will come up. All the chords in your song are now right there in front of you! Many/most also have an audio track button which allows you to hear the song and play along with as you read and play your chords.

While you may not be playing the songs as much as playing along with the songs– it is a great start! And it makes you know the chords, improve on chord transitions, and be “in time” and “in tempo”. And it’s FUN!

And you have endless songs to choose from.

[the-old-coach]

Rob503–

An often-overlooked thought is that there is only one TAC “program”. Everyone enters TAC starting with the same lessons/whatever. Trouble is– there are certainly HUGE differences in our own abilities “going in”. It would be impossible for the TAC program to accommodate all new members with a starting-lesson-plan tailored to each person’s unique abilities at the time. So– with “one plan”, it is easy to see that the “starting-point” here in TAC can be “easy” for some but maybe difficult for another… especially at the start. You can easily see how this can create problems, and maybe make some think- “I’m not getting it“, or “I’m slower that the others at this“, or even “I can’t do this“…..

Don’t be bummed, and don’t EVER compare “where you are” with “where you think you should be”. A quote from the Great Master Jumpin Jeff- “Expectation is where fun goes to die”.

My added personal opinion only- if you are “just starting out” on learning guitar… do NOT worry about “playing a song” or “being able to play a song” for now. Do the “learning-part” and the “getting-your-hands-and-wrists-in shape” parts for now. Ramp up to the “playing part”…….. and be patient.

Focus on:

Playing slowly at the start.

Playing accurately at the start.

Be kind to yourself at the start- guitar is NOT easy,

Give yourself some credit– always.

Recognize every little thing you accomplish and improve on. (Small wins!)

Realize that this is a lifelong trip– a marathon/ not a sprint.

Focus on the TRIP, not the destination. You’ll get there……..

Expect difficulty and frustration…. and EMBRACE it. Overcoming the hard parts is what will give you THE most “quiet pride” of self-accomplishment.

Lastly– (sometimes the hardest)- is- focus on the FUN of the journey.

There ya go– Sorry if I have likely bored the sh*t out of you……

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

You know, Loraine— Your original post here is PERFECT.

You have always had a soft- (yet solid), encouraging, way of thinking and expressing in your posts. I love reading them- and I enjoy how they are always– always– of a helpful nature to others. Keep doin’ exactly what you’re doin’. We need your “little nudges” of encouragement to get back in the game from time to time.

y-o-p

• This reply was modified 2 years ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Congrats on TAC-V anniversary!

At least as important as that……… this tune was really, really- (did I say really?)- great!

I’m guessin’ you really get into St Patty’s Day- (nothin’ gets by me.…)

The first Black & Tan is on me………

[the-old-coach]

IMHO- It doesn’t really matter if you master anything in either the Daily Challenges, or the 30-days to Play, or any of it.

The point is that you show up, get into it for a bit, improve a little bit each day, and have fun with it. Some people “finish” the 30 days to Play in a week or two– because they were somewhat experienced when they joined- to them it was easy. Others may take longer than the 30 days- if they were absolute beginner’s. And in both cases– this is GREAT! It doesn’t matter- because there is no “one size fits all”– we are all different in where we start our guitar-journey.

This thought also washes over into the Daily Challenges. There is only ONE Daily Challenge- there isn’t a “beginner series” and an “advanced series” of Daily Challenges. We all see the very same Challenge- absolute beginners and seasoned guitar players alike. Some just breeze thru it like nobody’s business- others struggle. But TAC has to keep is challenging for ALL levels…….

The key, then, is to remember “where you” are in the grander scheme of things. If a tough Daily comes along- (and they will)- just go with it as best you can, and move along. As I mentioned before- NEVER compare “where you are” with “where you think you should be”.

Enjoy the ride, expect – (and embrace!)- the difficulty, and focus on the sounds that YOU are making, and also the FUN!

(Offering unsolicited advice is just another of the services I offer free of charge!)

[the-old-coach]

Pick– and Brandon—

Beatrice, Moose, and Loraine’s posts……… read them again…….. and then, again.

Focus on the fun- (yes, it is hard to see the fun at times). Do NOT— ever— compare “where you are” with “where you think you should be”. That’s a no-win.

Here’s where maybe I differ slightly from them. I have never practiced- even a single time- for 10 minutes and then called it a day. Never. I think you have to practice until you feel like you have accomplished something– anything. Finish each day on a “high”- no matter how small. Don’t ever walk away with a bunch of frustration.

Beyond that– expect it to be tough going- especially at the start. But that’s what you want, right? You want to be able to be proud of yourself for what you have accomplished at every small step forward. And that only comes from hard work.

What you are feeling is right on track! Doesn’t feel like it right now, maybe– but you are right where you need to be.

• This reply was modified 2 years ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Here’s the way I always thought about your point of “learning a whole song”, when held up next to TAC-learning. Years ago someone posted in here- (can’t remember who)- but had a question/comment maybe similar to what you are asking. He used visual descriptions and said- “I’m tired of always just doing “cone drills”– I went to get in the game”. Certainly, in reference to TAC’s Skills Courses and Daily Challenges that are GREAT, but sometimes can maybe feel like they don’t seem to “take you anywhere” when looked at individually.

So, this reminds me of an old pal of mine who wanted to “learn guitar”- this was years ago. He started taking in-person, weekly, lessons from a local guy here- (the guy had been in local bands for years and was pretty good in that regard). Well, after about 6 months of weekly lessons and I don’t know how much money, he announced that he had learned a song that he played for us- (I don’t remember the song). He was so proud. He could play that one song, and- to his credit- really pretty well.

But wait—- I believe the TAC-method is MUCH better! It may “take longer”, because it builds foundational skills from the ground up. Takes a while to “see” this, and it can seem kind-of “drawn-out” or “vague”…..but TAC- (along with this wonderful group right here in the TAC Forum!!!)- are together building you a broad-based BOATLOAD of skills.

Rather than being able to play ONE song great– you are quietly and methodically learning how to play ANY song– because you’re learning the REAL skills…… the RIGHT way…….. Stay the course!

Just my two-cents…….. You are definitely on the right track– here in TAC…. (hey, that rhymes!)

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Rob-

Loraine’s answer and suggestions are spot on. Whether you have never played at all– or haven’t played in years)- if you are having some frustration, you are right where you need to be. I know it doesn’t seem to make much sense— but EMBRACE that frustration. EXPECT it- (you can’t stop it anyway). WANT it!

Because…… without it, you will never enjoy the inner satisfaction of the small wins, aha moments, and pure joy of, say, playing right along with your favorite songs as you hear them. Or finally moving thru a tough Daily Challenge mistake-free.

Now– go back and read Loraine’s post……. again.

Just my 2-cents–

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Brandon–

I really like this response of yours. As I was reading down the responses in this thread, I was thinking of a response that would help. I was gonna mention “landing one finger at a time”…….. but then I read your response……… and yours nailed it perfectly.

I think a person’s hand and brain “find” the first note automatically, with the other fingers just finding their “order” also automatically– (after lots of repetition, of course!).

To PJ—— Remember that your fretting-fingers have to come from somewhere to get to their “G-chord positions”. Most of the time they will be coming FROM another chord TO that G-chord. If I were to offer one suggestion– it would be for you to consider learning your G-chord by transitioning TO it from another chord. Any other chord– it doesn’t matter.

There is no song with just one chord. Learning the transitions is equally as important as learning the chords just by themselves.

One possible second suggestion?…….. close your eyes.

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

And don’t forget this……….. You are not only always helpful and encouraging……… You are TOUGH— (and that is an equally admirable trait).

Are you a Tom Petty fan?— Listen (again, I’m sure) to one of my old favorites— “I Won’t Back Down”.

y-o-p

mark