[the-old-coach]

“I wish someone would’ve told me a while ago”…….

To get courses like Fretboard Wizard- (and others similar)- and use them along with other sources. Every creator of these programs and these workbook courses and the like- has a little different perspective—- their guitar-philosophies, what’s important, what’s not so important, the “order” of things and how they’re presented- (“easy-going” or “dry and strict”), the terminology used- (what gets called what), and on and on…..

My point is that overall, while they all contain a lot if similar information and even presentation…. not all authors and program-creators think alike. So…….

“I wish someone would’ve told me a while ago”– to gather-up several different sources of learning—- go thru them all ……. maybe a couple at the same time. Compare them. Note the qualities and ideas they ALL have in common- and also explore the differences.

Don’t “put all your eggs in one basket”.

Maybe one of them will be the “right one” that will fit your “guitar-journey-plan” the best.

Your own personality, available time, and individual goals, will tell you the right one. But…. remember……. as you change…. so will your needs and goals.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

There was a short thread a week or so ago about somehow “petitioning” the TAC team to bring back the saving of the Dailies for the duration of the following month- so that members could have a chance to “finish-up” or even just revisit those lessons that go POOF-gone right at the start of the “new month”.

Sometimes life gets in the way, and you just can’t get to them in time. Or maybe you are half-way thru learning that skill a particular Daily is teaching us……. but……. POOF-gone.

Since the change-over to the “new” TAC website, there have actually been quite a few threads- (and most likely also discussions within OTHER threads)- that deal with this very issue alone.

Well, whuddya say, Tony and TAC team? Keeping them around for 30 days after would create a “positive”. To many, it seems, the way it is now, is a “negative”.

Why not?

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

I’d like to throw in my two-cents.

I WOULD LOVE IT.

I personally save the lessons by printing them out and keeping them in a big 3-ring binder, so that I can go back and play them. Without needing a computer– I can just go outside or whatever and just crack open the binder and start playin’ away.

As mentioned already, many times some of the most important advice/hint/tips/help/etc—- is in the COMMENTS.

I really hope this gains some traction, and they save them for just ONE MONTH.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Another quick reminder……… June’s “TAC-month” ends this Sunday, July 2, at midnight, when July’s TAC-month starts, and we get all of July’s Dailies.

So if you want to save- (favoritze, print, whatever)- any of June’s Daily Challenges for future-use, do it before then, because they go bye-bye- (they may come back around in maybe a year or so).

[the-old-coach]

JM–

As you get- and go thru- the Daily Challenges (as they show up)– they can indeed seem like there is “just too much to take in”. Don’t sweat it! Some will come “easy” to you, some more difficult, and some you may just wonder– “why?—- what is this and why do I need it at all”.

I think Tony is just trying to give us a “broad-based” guitar-background, which, as time goes by, will pay big benefits, as we each, and all, “make our own path”.

Some of the Dailies will “just feel right”, some you won’t care about at all.

Save somehow any that you want to come back to- (“favoritize” them, or print them and keep them in a binder, whatever works best for you)- so you can come back to them whenever you want– and/because– the disappear upon the start of the “new month’s schedule of lessons”……

Above all– remember to have fun with it all!

Over time, YOUR OWN guitar-journey’s path will begin to become more clear to you. And I bet it will also change a few times as you become better and more knowledgeable in all the different skills and paths headed your way.

(IMHO— this is exactly WHY Tony’s “broad-based” program works sooooooo well!— he gives us lots of info on many different “directions”– including all the Skills Courses!– and we’ll choose our own “right path”).

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Hey– Jerry CAN.

I know you have already gotten a few great suggestions– from a few of the great folks here in the TAC family– including coming HERE to the Forum!— (that in itself is a GREAT move!).

My suggestions-

Remember that- (as others have said)- learning guitar isn’t easy– or “quick”. Be patient and nice to yourself on this….. Don’t EVER “compare” where you are with anyone else— or— with your own expectations of where you “think YOU should be”.

You never said “where” you are in your guitar journey, how long you’ve been playing, if you have a particular style that you like the sound of, etc.

Do the stretches if your hands hurt, realize that your fingertips will get tougher- (and not hurt at all)- after a week or two of good learning/playing.

Stay with it!– and welcome to TAC!

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Stryder–

Hey— Welcome to TAC!!! (-good move👏!!!).

Great move also to come into our Forum- you’ll find LOTS of nice people, excellent, encouraging advice, hint, tips, tricks, etc.

Where and how to start?……… What Loraine said……… word for word.👍

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Albert_d–

That sounds really cool! We were actually down in that area about 3 years ago– we stayed at the Worldmark Hunt-Stablewood Springs resort right near there, along with staying at Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Austin, and San Antonio. Great trip— we drove all the way from the Washington Coast. That whole area is indeed beeeeaaaauuuuutifullll!

We loved it- actually ended up going BACK down there this last Summer- stayed back at New Braunfels (at the Worldmark– just down the hill from Gruene– great music at Gruene Hall for sure- had a blast!!!)- and also back in Austin. Got to go to the Valero Texas Open golf tournament for a day to see how the PROS do it, and then saw Jason Aldean and Darius Rucker- (up pretty CLOSE!- maybe 50 feet from the stage)- at a huge concert on the TPC grounds- (near San Antonio- you probably know where that is!). The whole trip was fantastic– again!!!! Great time— beautiful country— good food(!!!!!!)— and wonderful people!

The Kerrville festival sounds like a blast- thanks for sharing that.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Hey David-D!

Loraine has nailed it– read thru her post………. at least twice more.

Important— FOCUS on her last sentence.

If I was to add anything- I would say:

Be kind– and patient– with yourself; allow- (actually- expect)- yourself to struggle at times. Remember that if it was “too easy”, you wouldn’t get to enjoy that “inner”/quiet feeling of satisfaction inside of you when you complete something tough, or start to see real, noticeable, improvement(s)– (and, you WILL see improvements!)

Don’t compare yourself with anyone else- and also don’t compare yourself….. with your OWN expectations.

Welcome- have fun— “See ya around”-

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Wow- Loraine!! Congrats!

I’m “behind” you by about 250 or so. One of my best memories was when I first joined the TAC family- (~2 1/2 years ago)- I didn’t really know what I was doing, even after about 40+ years of off-&-on playing. I finally had direction!!!!!

Well, when I “jumped-both-feet” into the world of TAC— you were the first person to welcome me in!

Many might say “wow…. big deal….”, but it was important to have that- I was entering uncharted territory for sure! I will never forget that– and I/we also have enjoyed your always-encouraging and helpful advice.

Rock-on, miss!

Again— congrats!

yer old friend—

theoldcoach- (mark)

[the-old-coach]

Thanks, Albert and D-S-LA!

It has been fun!!! (and challenging at times, and frustrating at times, but also very rewarding at times also). I love that “inner-satisfaction-feeling” I get when I’ve figured something out……. or finally nailed something that’s been tough…… or made progress on something and can see and hear it!

I canNOT forget to mention…. that I wouldNOT…. have gotten as far as I have without the friendships and support I/we get right here in our TAC Forum!!!

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

That’s a huge number of minutes! When you throw in there that my average session is probably an hour long…….. yikes!

Unrelated side-question—– has anyone heard from Fred- (“mrfredsporty”). Among many others— I loved reading his posts- always enthusiastic and helpful– (like yourself).

• This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Ben–

My quick recommendation is to go into TAC’s “Skills Courses” section, and from there, go into the “Getting Started” section. You’ll find a “Daily Stretch” lesson there.

Go thru it. Period.

I do some stretching EVERY practice session, but I don’t go to the extent that Tony goes thru in his lesson– but– even if you just do part of his stretching routine– it will help a lot. And not just at the start of a session– stretch your hands out once or twice during the session.

Another trick is to deliberately “overstretch” and extend that C chord by an additional fret. Work up to this- don’t hurt yourself- (don’t laugh– it can happen!). You’re not caring what it sounds like if you do this– you are only trying to make it seem easy when you go back to the C chord.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

In my opinion—— EXACTLY!!!!!!😀 jmwood…… what Loraine says…… is IT. Proceed.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Jeff–

Thanks, bro’, for all the encouragement and advice for over two years now!!!

And playing the ol’ “warm-warm-warm-cold-cold-cold-warm-warm-warm—er” game to get me headed back in the right direction when I am off the trail- (and boy-howdy could I ever end up in the weeds!!!). I was/am always the wayward student……….

Always great when you chime in to a thread.

yer ol’ friend-

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  the-old-coach.