[the-old-coach]

Jack-

Thank you for this great, thoughtful, post, and congratulations!

[the-old-coach]

This is a GREAT post- at least for me. I want to begin to learn the “bigger picture”.

I can play scales fairly easily, within any of the 5 “root shapes”, starting on any note, anywhere on the fretboard, ascending or descending. And be able to “continue on” to the next root shape and keep going till I run out of frets. Not TOO much problem.

I do NOT have the exact scale pattern- (for EACH root shape)- actually MEMORIZED yet. I just play the scale from the root-note (“1”), using the major scale formula (WWHWWWH ascending, or HWWWHWW descending).

At this point, I’m trying hard to see the NEED to memorize each note location as in a “rigid-memorized pattern”, rather than just play the scale from the formula(s). Wiser people than I– whom I think a lot of– have told me that I need to do this, though, so I will.

Even with all of this, I am struggling to find the “big, larger, picture” of why this is all so necessary. I just can’t seem to “put it all together”. Is this for learning the fretboard overall?- OK, yes, good stuff. For playing big solos? Well……..

Maybe for me, I don’t feel like I need to be able to play solos like Keith Urban or George Harrison, or short improv licks like Vince Gill……

I think I just look at improv-ing and soloing as kind-of “fun” things to mess around with, rather than an absolutely necessary “must” thing to learn……

I don’t wanna be “lazy” about it, but I think I pretty-much just wanna have a decent/somewhat respectable amount of know-how if I’m trying to play along with others—- and be “good” with that.

And also just have FUN when I grab a guitar- even if it’s just me practicing by myself. I don’t EVER want it to be “work”, or a never-ending, uphill, struggle.

Again- your post is great! A really BIG win! And many others may be watching, hoping there are some good replies. I know I will be.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Mcarlson—-

This is such an awesome post, man!

I have 4 guitars, all acoustics….. none “expensive”……or what most would consider to be “good” guitars……. but they all have a “story” in my life.

I love them all, I’ll stand by ’em, and keep ’em.

THEY have brought me to where I’m at guitar-wise, and I ain’t turnin’ my back on ’em now. I’ll keep ’em till I’m done for.

I’m a loyal old dog.

BUT……..

I have never had……. THAT……… one guitar that REALLY knocks me over.

And……. I ………. want ……..THAT……. guitar.

That’s why your post is SOOOOOOOO cool!!!

I’ll find the “right” one, one of these days, and pull the trigger………….

I can’t WAIT!

Thanks for sharing.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Jeff–

You are an artist. Not only in your playing, but also in the words you share in here. A good guitar-day indeed.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

“Sportster”—- (remember that old thread about how we all got our “names”?- 😎).

I’m gonna miss you…… for sure!

You ALWAYS brought new viewpoints and discussion ideas/threads, shared your discoveries- (this really helps ALL of us!)- and kept things light and fun in here.

Onward and upward my ol’ friend!

mark

[the-old-coach]

Congrats!!! WOW this is cool stuff!

Having that many days logged in is an incredible accomplishment for sure!!!……. but……. you have another accomplishment to take some pride in. I think even more-so than your huge number of days.

You have helped SOOOOOOO many of us along the way by sharing your successes- (and maybe non-successes as well?😉- because that’s how sh#t REALLY is), and giving us advice and encouragement when we need it.

I myself am 3 days shy of 700, my hat is off to you!!!

Again- congrats

theoldcoach/ mark

[the-old-coach]

Kman-Sr–

Glad to have you “back”!!!!!

You’ve had a crap sandwich handed to you recently, but have made it back onto your porch— and that’s awesome. LOVED your “grin-n like a jackass eatin saw-briars” line…. and also….. “floors a-shakin above”.

I agree…….. Trust the Process…….. (even though it seems like there is NOTHING going on a LOT of the time).

Stay well-

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Bugmeist–

First of…….. Congratulations! This is quite an accomplishment indeed.

As many of the rest of us follow examples like yours, it’s GREAT to hear and see stories of success! And I think it’s cool that you share your milestone(s).

And to both you- and Jeff also– thank you for sharing your thoughts on the “effortless, tension-free playing” process. This is big stuff.

I’m still focusing on all the “learning” and “mechanical-playing” aspects but want to start thinking about that for sure. Maybe that’s something I should be thinking about DURING the time I’m learning guitar- (as a “regular part of it”)- rather than “after the fact”.

It seems like it’s the kind-of unseen but really important factor in overall playing enjoyment. Hard to put it in words. So thanks again to both of you for bringing that up.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

nlsb–

I don’t necessarily think there’s a problem with this. If it works for you- let it be!

[the-old-coach]

Trevor, FreeDan, B-murph, Hove— and all others “new” to TAC.

I’m kind-of late to the party here, but WELCOME TO TAC!

There are LOTS of nooks & crannies within the TAC site– go lookin’ around.

And– continue to use this Forum– it’s great.

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Sarah–

Great words and suggestions here already!

I’ll add– Find the “Stretching Exercises” in the Skills Section of TAC.

They may help.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

ellen-

First off- Welcome to TAC!!!!!

As far as what you’re going thru right now- remember that it WILL get easier! You are making your wrists, hands and fingers do things they likely have never had to do before, and even though it seems like struggle now, stick with it- but NOT (ever) to the point of causing yourself real pain or even injury.

Also, if you haven’t already, make SURE you check out Tony’s “Daily Stretching Exercises” – (I think they are in the “Skills Courses” section of TAC– look around, you’ll find it). They REALLY help- especially where you are now. (Confession– I don’t do ALL of the exercise he mentions- it’s quite extensive- I do the ones that I think work best for the guitar exercises I’m focusing on that day). So… check that out.

The discomfort you’re going through right now is just sort of a down payment on the “total discomfort package” you’re going to be paying into over your years of playing guitar. That’s just the way it is, I think. You put in the pain now, and the “next” exercise(s) will be EASIER….. (and will be much better)- because you have felt the discomfort, and strengthened everything in the process.

Like forming calluses on your fingertips– at the START it hurt a bit, and the strings were “hard” to push down. But after a while the calluses got formed and toughened-up, and it just “became easier”….

You are on the right track….. You’re just kind-of “paying yourself forward” in a sense.

Enjoy the fact that it is difficult to learn to play the guitar….. That difficulty will give you that sense of inner pride……… because you EARNED it!!!!!

And…. you have made a GREAT choice by coming here to the Forum!👏— It’s GREAT in here!!!, and you will get lots of helpful advice, hints, and tips.

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

It is kind-of fun to notice some improvement on a tough Daily challenge when it comes back around😀. I joined TAC in Jan of 2021– right in the middle of COVID– and have seen some of them 3 times now.

[the-old-coach]

I wish that I was smart enough to even make some kind-of suggestion that doesn’t show just how computer-illiterate I am.

There’s an old saying— “better to be thought of as an idiot, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”. I’ll risk it….. So here goes…..

Aren’t these lesson-tabs just “pdf” files? They aren’t very big in the sense of a whole pile of computer-space being eaten-up.

(With my computer-knowledge-level on full display here🙃)…… why can’t they just lump all those Daily-challenge-tab pdf’s together, into a big “folder” somewhere, and have some sort of “link” that can take us to that folder? Like, “off to the side of” the regular TAC website…….. Isn’t that sort-of how accessing the old “song-vault” link works?

Sure seems like it would be less complicated than having to “store” them inside the TAC website— within EACH member’s “favorites” account— and having to keep them accessible ALL the time…..

I do NOT know how all this stuff works- but it sure seems like there should be a way to accomplish this.

But, if it is simply the case that they don’t want to- then I guess that’s the bottom line….

[the-old-coach]

mcarlson_sb—

WOW- you have made a fantastic post here- very detailed yet easily readable and “follow-able” in actions. I favoritized this thread….. just to be able to easily refer back to your post. (I have done this many times with other posts that just “hit the nail on the head” for me.

To me, playing songs feels “more fun” than playing scales-(etc), but I feel like I’m learning WAAAY less just by playing songs. “Nuts-and-bolts-y” stuff such as scales and chord transition efficiency are really the stuff I **NEED** to play those songs better. It’s a Catch-22, for sure.

I’m working on a few original songs- (fiddling with them, changing keys, lyric sections, chord progressions, etc- it never ends)- and I feel that spending so much of my guitar-session-time doing THAT actually hurts my guitar/playing/learning in a way.

Speaking to your mention of noticing “refinement”—– to put it into terms of painting a house— the “main color” goes on fast- (you notice the huge difference immediately), the “trim”, however, covers much less area, and goes on WAAAAY slower………. but THAT’s what makes a home look “sharp” in the end. My silly 2-cents worth.

Thanks again for your great post!

theoldcoach