[the-old-coach]

One tool I have used to pick up patterns is the TAB music on sites like Ultimate Guitar, E-Chords, etc.

They of course show all the chords in a song you are playing (along with).

Study those chord tabs– they will ALWAYS have a repeated pattern through the song.

Of course, the “chorus” sections might be different from the “verse” sections– but still the patterns are pretty easy to pick up on.

A lot of the time– (on a simpler song- on a four-line verse, we’ll say)- it seems like it’s:

Line 1— 4 chords/ Line 2— repeat/ Line 3— repeat most of the chords- (but there may be a minor chord in there)/ and Line 4— most of not all of the same chords in Lines 1 & 2.

This very simplistic and certainly not always the case.

I just scribble down those first couple lines’ chord arrangements, add in the minor third line, scribble down the same thing for the Chorus’. Then, turn on the song- (and assuming I at least partially “know” the song in the first place)- turn off the TAB-page and play away just off my scribblings. After a few times thru, maybe it sounds pretty good- and I now know- (or are reminded of)- some of the lyrics!. All I have then, most of the time anyway, is maybe 4-6 different chords scribbled down in the right “order”. Give it a try for yourself with an old 4 or 5-chord Creedence song- (maybe “Stuck in Lodi Again”).

Anyway- that’s one way this simple mind uses to recognize patterns– and yes– they are ALWAYS there in a song.

Simply, simple-minded–

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Wow–

This discussion was very interesting to begin with, but now it has taken on a whole new area of thought indeed!

Is there any way this train of thought can be used by someone who ***doesn’t*** have an android, or an ipad, or any kind of new-fangled “tweeter-hooter”- (that’s what my wife’s uncle calls “them fancy phones”)— but rather, has only a regular guitar tuner, a laptop, and a flip-phone???— (asking for a friend😉).

-coach

[the-old-coach]

MrFred-

“I just push on, gently swearing, and wishing it was not true”

There ya’ go again!— there’s gotta be a song in there somewhere🤔……..

-coach

[the-old-coach]

Your sentence– “I have not learned this much this fast since my first girlfriend”…….

Hilarious!!!!!🤣🤣😊

There’s some sort of song title in there somewhere!

[the-old-coach]

MrFred-

Small wins like yours remind us- (at least me for sure)- of those little things that are soooo important in playing guitar.

Like many, maybe, I find that I get “lazy” sometimes with using the fingerTIPS **only** when playing, but then again, I think I’m really sort of a sloppy player anyway- (I got fingers, elbows, etc, flyin’ all over the place).

I really enjoy watching most of the “Play for Us” posts that show more precision and efficiency finger-wise, because that’s what the eventual goal is(?)—- more controlled, more efficient movement, and more accurate.

Your post reminding us- (well— me for sure)- is a good thing!!!

Thanks for sharing-

-coach

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

WOW!!

After I wrote the original post in this thread, I re-read it back to myself, and thought- “wow, this is a really dumb post”, that it would just be brushed off as yet another odd question from “the old coach”……. (so unlike him to ask a question that can’t really be answered simply…..).

But you all have shared some wonderful thoughts and viewpoints– “general” but yet specific……… “have fun” but yet stay committed………… immediate but yet forward-looking.

Your answers are EXACTLY what I was looking for– various specific perspectives and suggestions. Perfect. I’ll take all of these ideas and thoughts and go from there.

Maybe anybody else who might have been wondering the same things as I was— (what to work on when there are soooooooo many DIFFERENT things to work on)—– now has good stuff to chew on- to make a plan for themselves.

(PS- Oh, yeah, MrFred😎……. I showed my wife your post about the 22 hours each day that I was wasting by not playing guitar?…….. yeah………. 😒hard “no”……..)

Thanks again everyone for all your great perspectives and suggestions!!!!

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Fred-

You nailed it!

As Gerry B said it spot on– just showing up IS the key ingredient!

I know I get the “whineys” now & again- (mostly self-inflicted, because I’m too damn impatient, load myself up too much, and then I fall victim to my own expectations🤨.

It’s a “swirlin’ turd” downward spiral, and the best way to get out is to have a buddy take you aside, slap you around a bit- (so to speak- not literally), and say “C’mon man- snap out of it!”.

From the original “Top Gun” movie— “C’mon Maverick!! Get back in the game!!”

Great thread, MrFred!- (hey- that rhymes— I must be smort😜)-

TOC

[the-old-coach]

Right back at YOU, Fred—-

“Right on, Bro'”

[the-old-coach]

Thank you all for your responses!

I guess as I re-read my own original post, I maybe could have also mentioned that I was generally referring to time spent “learning” something new- (versus- say – practicing something I already sort-of know but needs more work).

Seems to me there are at least two different ways to “learn” something new. I’m thinking one way is to take little bites each day– and over time/ eventually– you’ll have “learned” it all- (maybe mostly just because of repetition(?). Maybe the other is to have longer, more intense, sessions- but just a few of them.

(Possible example– short TAC sessions every day versus a long, intense, instructor-guitar-lesson once a week)(?)

I think I tend to use the smaller-bites method more often.

Seems like either way will get me where I want go- just by different routes.

I really appreciate your viewpoints, suggestions, and opinions!!!

I know we’re all different, and different skills and goals- and there is no “one-size-fits-all”, and because of that, maybe each of us has to– (at least somewhat)– re-invent the(ir own) wheel.

Hey- maybe I’m all wet on this– or overthinking it- (so unlike me)- but I guess I’m just looking for the most efficient(?) way.

Thanks again for your insights!

the old coach

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Bug-

WOW that is a great story! You went from —terrified— to “WOW this is really cool”!

Sounds like you handled it all in stride.

My 2 cents– Maybe deep inside– we all want to someday have that happen to us- (like a moth to a flame). Actually- we’ve earned it…… and will do well!

Great story and post……….

[the-old-coach]

Mike–

Did you just answer my (friend’s) question?

I can tell you that he never thought about this, and finds it all very interesting.

-the old coach

[the-old-coach]

“Breathing in general is so underrated”….. but…. it’s way better than the alternative😉.

(sorry, I took a smart-a** pill this morning).

Despite my antics— this is a great thread- and great reply/suggestions!

-coach

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Kay–

Just like Carol, Jerry, and Cadgirl before you- (and many thanks to you all for your responses as well!!!👏👍)- your suggestions are also right on the money.

It’s these kinds of viewpoints and specifics that really answer my original, almost un-answerable, question.

Maybe others have my same question when it comes to “learning” and prioritizing all the different areas in learning guitar specifically, and now have some more great info and help to chew on.

Thanks again-

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

😀😎

[the-old-coach]

Old saying– (from my “old days”)-

“You can’t drink all day unless you start in the morning”

THAT is a brilliant statement, right(?)