[the-old-coach]

Marty–

Wow!– Thank you for your detailed and well-thought-out post!

It is a great post for those of us coming along “behind” you on our own guitar-journey(s).

You have provided almost a road-map. We’re all gonna be a little different, for sure, but you have marked the trail.

Thanks for sharing your story, congrats on FIVE YEARS(!), and thanks as well for all the specifics.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Gerry—- Your line– “I just want to absorb everything instantly😆” is exactly the way I’m feeling these days!

I’ve lately been working my way thru FBW (again- 2nd time thru), and also going thru the original version of FBW, along with my “No Bull” books.

And……. I’m…….. buried.

But– it’s a “good problem” to have, right? Better than being bored with it……………

There is SOOOOO much “new stuff” in my head- (there’s plenty of room– there’s a lot of vacant land in there😉)- I just don’t really have ANY kind of handle on how to process it all in a logical order.

I feel like the ant in the old “how does an ant eat an elephant” joke…..

theoldcoach

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

[the-old-coach]

Fred-

I have an old one I got from a friend a while back- that’s exactly how I use it– it’s hangin’ on the wall right where I practice. Easy-peasy. Grab it & go. (“Howard”).

But I always save the last half-hour or so to “bring the other kids out to play”, though. I have two other “good” guitars- (“New Kid”), and my 12-string- (“Tank”). Neither one is a real expensive guitar, but I love them both– and keep them both in perfect condition. I usually play one or the other each day.

No expert, but it seems like getting them out regularly is a good idea?

(Funny- I have names for mine too….. They are in the parentheses (above)).

[the-old-coach]

Carnelia–

Congrats!!!!! You have been BUSY!!!!, and have also done a great job in knowing where you are in your journey, and where you are going as well…….

Well done!!

[the-old-coach]

First off- Albert D– your response is hilarious!!!

My mind seems to change on this whole electric-thing. One day I want it, the next I almost don’t. I think I’m somehow kind-of intimidated or something by it/ having it. I don’t want it to feel like it “takes the place” of my acoustic journey. I want it to feel more like “in conjunction with it”……..

I’ve only played an electric a few times- and really liked it— something new and cool!

But, it’s still guitar. I’m not sure it’s gonna make me a better guitar player.

Is there a hard line between acoustic and electric? If an electric is somehow “easier” to play- will that, in essence, make it “harder” to play an acoustic when I pick one up? – maybe especially a 12-string? I have enough trouble as it is.

I don’t know if I wanna go down that “rabbit-hole”.

Thank you all for your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas– they are MUCH appreciated!!!

True to my nature– I am probably WAAAAY overthinking this😜, right?

I think I’m gonna go ahead and pursue this guitar– all things considered. They want me to have it, and they know I’ll take care of it.

If his g-kids are someday interested, maybe I’ll give it to one of them when they’re ready or interested.

Thanks again-

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Nice work!

Stay with it even if/ when things seem a little “vague”. Don’t know if you’ve completed the “30 days to Play”, (or where you are in your guitar journey), but if you haven’t yet— check out some of the Skills Courses.

Don’t compare yourself to “anyone else”, or worry about where you think you “should” be in your journey, always remember what Tony says- “momentum over perfection”, and HAVE FUN.

I say this stuff like I know what the h*ll I’m talking about. Because I DO….at one point or another, I did ALL those things wrong😀. I learned the hard way…..

[the-old-coach]

K-M–

Big congrats are in order! 100 sessions is an important milestone, because it tells you that you are serious about learning to play the guitar. If you weren’t serious about it– (as in just a passing thing)– you’d have known by now and bagged it.

But— you’re still in it, and still having fun!

Thanks for sharing your accomplishment👍

[the-old-coach]

I have yet another dumb-question…….. Can you -(or anybody?)- explain exactly ***WHY*** it seems “easier” to play an electric- (vs an acoustic). We’ve all heard this— hundreds of times.

In my own experience, as I said, I have played an electric only a few times- (this puts me in the “non-knowledgeable” group– so there is that)- but it actually did seem to be NOTICEABLY “easier”.

But my question, I guess, is, WHY is it easier.

In your post you say it’s because “you don’t have to push as hard on the strings for fretting”- then that leads me to ask- again- why?

Electric/Acoustic?– They are just guitar strings over a fretboard, right?

Why aren’t the strings on an acoustic “lowered” to the same string-height- (action) as they are on an electric?…..

I know there are MANY different/various makes and models of guitars– and strings– (from the cheapest to the most expensive)- if this could be some part of the explanation.

Or is there a general difference in the size or “cross-section shape” of the guitar NECK of an electric and an acoustic?

Or are the string themselves generally different between the two?

It’s confusing to ask- I hope you all get the “jist” of what I’m asking…..

Any thoughts?

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Ted- Thanks for the encouragement and info about the headphone jack. I’ll check and see if the amp that comes with it- (Fender Frontman 25)- has that feature. It’s about 24 years old and I don’t know if it’s there. I’ll do some diggin’. It would be a big thing- (it’s cold out in the garage😀). If you plug in headphones- does that automatically “turn off” the loudspeaker?

[the-old-coach]

MJ-

My two cents–

Try & remember to do the warmup stretches- (and try to keep your fretting arm as straight as possible for the most effect)— but don’t overdo it with the stretches– you can hurt yourself.

I must confess I don’t stretch for as long as the Skills-course(?) lesson suggests to— but I still do some stretching every session. It helps.

Oh, yeah!- Welcome to TAC!

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

I see the new ones have the headphone jack up on the console area.

[the-old-coach]

👍👍👍😎

[the-old-coach]

My bet is those who say “dings & scratches add character” are BS-ing ya….😏…. uh-huh……..

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

[the-old-coach]

Yeah, well, the “loud factor” has come up here in our house😬. I practice in my wife’s computer/craft room pretty much, and she said “if stuff starts fallin’ off the walls– you’re headed for the garage”😎. Probably a better spot anyway…….. Thanks for your thoughts.

[the-old-coach]

Wasn’t very clear. I had restarted the message after I had taken it back to black cursor and started from there.