[the-old-coach]

Right on Fred!

I’ve (also?) been monkeying with learning to play and sing at the same time. It has not been easy or pretty (believe me)- but at the point I’m at– I really don’t/can’t expect it to be.

I too have seen myself be “monotone-y” and “rigid” as I concentrate WAY hard on ***just getting thru*** a song. That’s when I chuckle at me, and remind myself try to ***remember… that I’m PLAYING the song***. Emphasis- “PLAYING”……

It’s not supposed to be easy, but at my (our?) stage of the game– it’s not supposed to be “work” either🤔.

When I do get the “monotone-ys”, I revert back to the tabs for the song, and crank up a YouTube video or I just “ask Alexa” to play it– and play and sing along with the artist playing and singing. That brings me back to how the ARTIST played it- (with all the cool inflections, tones, runs, etc). Like a giant re-set button, this kind-of “sets me straight” so to speak, with the song. And off I go on it again- with the “original directions” fresh in my mind.

My hope is that automatic memory will finally/eventually kick in.

Anyway- seems I’ve turned into the Allman Brothers- “Lord I was born a Ramblin’ Man”……🙄

Go get ’em!

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Willy-

My advice– be cool.

I’ve read every word in every post in this thread– twice…. From a lot of great people– there is indeed a lot of great advice and suggestions given in the responses here- (and I’m not talking about my post, that’s for sure)- and I CERTAINLY don’t have any advice better than those.

It’s YOUR posts that catch my interest. I think that what you are/were experiencing is CLASSIC.

Being bogged-down/ bummed out/ bored/ “lost”…….. If you’re NOT feeling that way, then you’re not doin’ it right.

It was- (and still is)- in ALL of us here at some time (and)/or another. I say it like that, because it comes around again and again. If it **doesn’t** happen to you- then I’d start worrying- because then it’s all “too easy”.

Learning to play a guitar is TOUGH…. Enjoy that….. If it’s too easy- you won’t get to experience the satisfaction. Expect tough. “Through” that, you’ll realize that the key is the FUN that Mike talks about. None of us are likely to be the next George Harrison…… Realizing just **that** takes “the pressure” off.

I can tell by YOUR posts that “it” is within you. You know what to do- and how to do it.

Small bites– enjoy the TRIP– forget about the destination…..

Be cool.

The Old Coach

[the-old-coach]

Explainer–

Really sorry about all the CAPITAL letters, and asterisks, when I want to emphasize something😃.

It’s NOT that I’m trying to yell to make a point!

When I try to put something in italics, or underline something using the buttons- (here in the lower left corner)– sometimes it shows up ***in the post*** with all sorts of weird symbols before and after the words I want to emphasize.

Please forgive.

MORE IMPORTANTLY– Let’s keep Willy’s thread going strong- (this affects EVERY single TAC member at one time and/or another!)🤔

the old coach

• This reply was modified 4 years, 4 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Mike-

Wow- thanks for sharing that!

It reminds me- (and it should)- how much I don’t know.

Your video/post has a great “one-to-one” feeling about it– the kind of stuff that **really** gets the point(s) across, but in a laid-back sort-of style.

(You may be onto somethin’ there🤔).

I’m gonna watch-thru it again– with guitar in hand.

Thanks again

mark

[the-old-coach]

MrFred-

This is a great point of view in my opinion.

Sometimes I’ll start off some really brilliant🤨 thing I’m about to say with something like- “A really smart man once told me……..”

So, sort of along the lines of your viewpoint- (again🤨)——–

A REALLY experienced musician I know actually did once tell me- “You are ONLY going to be successful playing along with– or in front of– others…….. when “you fully accept the fact that it’s OK to make a complete fool of yourself.”

Smooth water never made for a good sailor— failing is good.

Great post and point of view– thanks for sharing.

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

All–

I am really amazed and appreciative and thankful at the responses you all have put forward here.

You all are some of my “heavy hitters” here in the Forum- your words, advice, and encouragement mean a LOT. (And not just to me- and not just this thread…. maybe there are others “reading along” and wondering about this subject, too- and that’s awesome!).

I think I’m vaguely on the right track with how I want to work toward, and eventually accomplish this playing-and-singing thing….. And, as Jeff would say, you have lighted the path.

I have read all your answer-posts– (and even my original post)- at least 3 times over– both the words, and also if there is anything “between” the lines.

Thank you all– again– for your insight, experience, and generosity- (and that’s not just in ***this*** thread🙂)

the old coach

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Fred-

Don’t forget— to a certain extent, we all get “lifted up” just a little everytime one of us shares a win, or has a question, or just has an idea about something.

We either think back about how we went thru the same thing– or think forward about how we’ll do it when we get there- (but now we have others’ advice and info to help).

We all gain by reading each others’ posts, and even by reading our own again.

S’ all good.😀.

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Sportster-

That is no SMALL win.

Think about that for a second. You thought it through, had an idea and thought-process of what might improve it- on the spot- on the fly- and gave it a go. And it worked.🙂

May not seem like much to you- but I think that’s a ****REALLY**** good ability to have!

There’s a whole lot more went on there than you give yourself credit for.

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Wow– look at what we’ve started here! This is COOL stuff- how fun!

Thanks for all who have and/or want to play along!!!

TOC

[the-old-coach]

Pinski-

Congratulations- Happy 1st!

“Well played” on your post! Along the lines of what Jeff said- FOCUS is the key for me also.

On an Acoustic Tuesday awhile back, Tony talked about “The Five Best Guitar-playing Mantras”.

Well- as part of my own routine, I write down- (the day before)- what I want to practice each- (next)- day, and always include the word in capital letters- “FOCUS”. Every day. And I read those 5 mantras also. Every day.

Seems like a lot- but it only takes about 15 seconds…….. and it kind-of “sets my brain straight”.

Again- inspiring story, congrats, and thanks for sharing.

Fellow dabblerosis survivor. (But I do suffer an occasional setback😉 just for fun)

the old coach

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

👍 Thanks for responding!

TOC

[the-old-coach]

Cadgirl-

New at this standing-thing.

I’ll keep working trying to find a comfortable “way” to stand.

A couple decades of climbing power poles- (the old-fashioned way)- it’s “easier” somehow to keep moving around instead of standing still.

But, sitting is the best way for me overall.

Thanks for responding!

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Albert-

TOTALLY agree.

I read once somewhere one trick to improved guitar playing (only?) was to practice and play with the TV on- (or some other noise going on). Guess it’s supposed to help your brain be able to “see through” the distraction and focus on the execution and technique at hand- (playing).

I know it’s a bit of a stretch, but isn’t that kinda what’s going on when performing a song? The- (deliberate at this point)- distractions for me were– 1. Standing, 2. Remembering the lyrics and chords, and, 3. Actually singing.

This was all just really sort of a big, deliberate, experiment.

The goals?– Do new stuff, test myself, and get feedback……..

The result?– a new perspective– “performing” a song!!!

Your post is RIGHT ON, and I’ll of course keep guitar-improvement as a major part of the picture- (because I just LOVE the sounds that come from that inanimate wooden box with strings).

Thanks again for answering!- (means a LOT).

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Kitman–

Maybe you remember a group called “The New Christy Minstrels”?

Well, I guess I’d be “the old crusty minstrel”?😏……..

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Me too- and like Jeff says- thanks for keepin’ it fun!– (recent examples- posts about drinkin’ QUITE a few beers as we goofed around with guitars way back when, and then also- (someone spending some money in Mexico😉🤫).

Wait– did I say “way back when”?

Fun interactions in here have a very important role in our overall journey!

TOC- (love that)