[the-old-coach]

Cadgirl-

You have made a great post!- (not surprising🙂).

Your “Stop rehashing the same old thing and learn something new” line is right on the money- at least for me….. and probably many other TAC-ers.

I think maybe as I acquire new skills- (or improve to new LEVELS of skills I maybe already have)– I feel like I sometimes come up against some sort-of a “wall”. Hard to explain in words. Feel like I need to “shake things up” a bit every now and then, with adding something NEW- (as you said).

I try to keep “moving the goal line”- but only after I feel I’ve reached a good “consistency” level. Perfection- no, consistency- yes— and that’s just fine.

As for me, I’ve been working toward a “first five” songs to memory- (and it’s been challenging but tough- I can’t seem to make up my mind🤨 which ones, mostly). Also been learning/memorizing new chord groups, and once in a while a new scale- (wow, those are tough for me to memorize).

The TAC Daily lessons and Skills Courses are great, for sure, as they provide for a REALLY great foundation of all skills guitar- (I’m sure there must be a better way to phrase that)- but pushing oneself beyond that– to “learn something new”, as you said– is a real driving force—– “moving the goal line”.

Thank you for your post- GREAT food for thought.

PS- I’ve been staying away from the Forum for awhile- on purpose- (to give you all a break from my ramblings-on)- but your post hit a good-nerve.

the old coach

• This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Sounds fun!

I’m thinking the “jist” of your original post was about finding a guitar that is “easy-er” to play– as you start out here in TAC– and have around to be also “easy-er” as the more strenuous lessons come along in here.

It will be less strenuous, easier on the hands and fingers, and MUCH more fun if the guitar in your hands feels great and plays with a LOT less effort than another.

Give some thought to finding one that is designed to play easy.

Being the broken-record that I am- find a Fender with that slimmer, smaller neck, and play it. It’s not a Martin or a Gibson, but it may just be your favorite in the end.

My two-bits….. (and I’m runnin’ out of quarters)… possibly to the delight of many.

the coach

[the-old-coach]

Dean-

I agree with Ted_h about the Fenders. One of the guitars I have is a Fender CD-60s. It’s not an expensive guitar- but seems to be well built, and- (to me anyway)- it sounds great. Amazon has it for ~$260-290. I really LOVE the way it is “easier” to play than many others. The neck is DEFINITELY “thinner”, smaller, and curved somewhat. I’ve played a few electrics- (not a LOT of them– and I don’t own one at this time)- but this is maybe as close as your gonna get with an acoustic. And it won’t break the bank.

If you’re considering buying an electric- (anyway)- just so you can learn easier on an acoustic- one of these may be worth a try– instead.

Somethin’ to chew on…….

the-old-coach

Added edit- Dean– (this is my opinion only)–

If you really want to learn how to play your 6-string guitar “better”- and don’t mind a crap-load of extra concentration, accuracy, difficulty, and focus in every Daily session……… buy a 12-string😜. Over time, it’ll make a better 6-string player out of you, that’s for damn sure. (spoiler alert- there are “hidden” messages in this paragraph)🙃

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

[the-old-coach]

Kent-

First off- welcome to TAC!- (it was a great choice).

Cadgirl and Loraine have got it right. Re-read their posts. Then read them… again… each sentence…… They are fantastic advisors- find some of their other posts around here in the Forum- you’ll quickly recognize how helpful and caring they are.

Get “this part” right- even if it seems really difficult, confusing, and slow… for now.

Here’s a thought about the tabbed-music and chords. It can maybe be hard to “get” all the tabbed lessons if you have really NO idea what it’s supposed to SOUND like- because the “song” is not something you recognize.

That said- maybe try this- type into your computer the title of a simple song you KNOW- (any song- does not matter)- then add to that, the word “chords”. (Example- “wagon wheel chords”. Then just hit “enter” of course.

It will come up under several different websites. Pick the easiest one- that’ll take some “looking”. Poke around inside a couple of them. Go for the “easiest” one.

The whole goal here is to “see” how all this tab-stuff that you’re looking at– works and sounds IN A SONG THAT YOU KNOW- and how all that tab-symbol-stuff actually sounds.

All the tab symbolism looked like chicken-scratch to me when I first started out- but it became easier when I could HEAR what it meant, while SEE-ing on the page and following along thru the song.

Once you learn how all the symbolism SOUNDS- take your new, very general, knowledge and apply it back to your TAC Daily challenges. Things may look different! Keep monkeying with it Have fun soaking it all up!

Kinda hard for me to put into words- hope you can see what I mean…..

My two cents. And I certainly apologize if you already know all this.

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Ping-

While you’re working on those chords- (I realize it’s been a couple of weeks now since your original post)- here’s something you might try.

So this is a TOTALLY “if-you-want-to” thing—- while you’re in the chord-playing mood- maybe after your lesson, search-up one of the Tabbed-song websites- (like e-chords or Ultimate Guitar), and find yourself an “easier” song- (maybe like something from Creedence Clearwater Revival- maybe “Stuck in Lodi Again”).

Play along in it and SEE, FEEL, and HEAR how the chords that —–you—– are playing, and the sounds you are making, are becoming part of that song.

Notice the difference in the sound as the song changes chords, and how YOUR chord change somehow goes in perfectly. And after a short while, the transitions- (very important)- will be smooth as silk.

All the while- remember that it does NOT matter how “good” you do. Just go with it and have some fun.

My crazy two-cents.

the coach

[the-old-coach]

Philb-

LOVED it!

Watched it twice thru- and the “surprise ending” was really enjoyable– perfect!

The perfect example of “work’s done- have some fun”.

I wouldn’t be surprised if most if not all of us have that same thought about writing our own music when an idea and melody pop into our heads….

You have figured it out!

I am still quite a ways away……

More than you may think- this is a very inspirational post/video…..

Thanks for sharing it.

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

For future reference–

I noticed in today’s “Boogie Barn” comments area, there was another “Mark J”.

So I’m changing my nickname to this new one- “the-old-coach”.

He’s probably a nice guy, and I wouldn’t want anyone to blame him for the stuff I throw out here in the Forum😜

Coach

[the-old-coach]

Kind-of embarrassing….. But, hey, new toys!🙃

[the-old-coach]

Cadgirl- Thanks for your kind words- as always.

Yeah- the “five songs” thing is tougher for some of us- and I’m in that group. I think I’ve been FOCUSING on memorizing a LOT at lately— these 5- or so- songs.

(One of🙄)- My problems is I keep replacing one or two of them- seems like as I get to the point that I pretty-much know them- they somehow aren’t as cool as I thought they were. I like to be challenged- after a while they just seem “easy”- to a point where I want “more” out of them— (it’s that old pushing the boulder up the mountain thing).

My “five” right now are “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song”, “Star” (stealer’s wheel), “Yesterday”, “Starting Over”, and “Old Man”– with “Dream a Little Dream of Me”, “Making Memories of Us”- (keith urban), and “What a Wonderful World” right in there also.

As I said- and others agree– your original post is great stuff…. It makes/helps us all to reflect back and get us back on track- (I tend to “wander” aimlessly sometimes).

Again- thanks for your kind words at the end of your answer-post to me.

the old coach- (mark)

[the-old-coach]

I like droppin’ my pinkie on the B & high E and do an up-strum at the “end” of a chord—- right before the “next” chord—- for a little fun and twang. Sort of — Down…. down…. down- up-up.

[the-old-coach]

That sounds like a GREAT warmup!👍

[the-old-coach]

Mike-

Your comment about not working “on one thing for more than 15 or 20 minutes or I will burn out” reminds me of a few threads that have come along here in the Forum.

I know that —- I—- seem to learn something easier if I have a few 10-15 minute shots at it, MUCH better than trying to learn something in one, say hour-and-a-half grinder- (that for me- also- becomes the “more of an exercise in frustration” that you mention. I know that I personally, seem much “sharper” in the FIRST 10-20 minutes than the LAST 20 minutes of a practice session. I think my brain just gets tired.

And I love the way you put it- “going slow until it speeds itself up automatically”. How true that is!

I think the “automatically” is the result from all the seeds planted along the way. While each lesson in itself day-in-day-out may not have seemed all that important by themselves, over time and effort– the bigger broader picture starts to show. And the result is a wide base of skills—- all of a sudden, we are able to play things we couldn’t!

In my weird way of seeing things— this is the essence of TAC.

Anyway, I’m just rambling-on now. But I think these kinds of discussions play a VITAL role in learning here in TAC. Learning guitar is NOT easy! People have questions as they hit chuckholes in their search for the “path” that suits them best.

In my way of thinking, LEARNING HOW TO LEARN is as important as the actual hands-on.

Always appreciative of your insight-

MJ

[the-old-coach]

Mike-

Absolutely we can “be on both sides at once”.

I actually kind-of “float around” on this issue- depending on what I’m working on– or trying to learn. For me it varies mostly on how difficult the task is.

I can usually whip thru the Chord-Progression-Friday lessons without much problem, so I give them the 10 mins and if I’ve “got” them- I mark ’em done, and move on. Most all the other Dailies I need to go back several times and re-visit them.

Most of the Skills Courses- I take my time on the lessons inside there. I try to get those “right”– as I see them as “building-block” kind-of lessons. They are not going to “come back around” like the Dailies will. I revisit some of those lessons once in a while- if a particular Daily is giving me fits.

So I guess what I’m thinking is that- (if I understand your question)- yes- both methods work, absolutely.

Everybody is different in their approach, their “plan” for getting to their desired goal(s), and their own abilities to handle the lesson. I think everybody is better at some parts of this than others, and not as good at some parts as others.

That’s what makes it great- we can pick and choose from all the great info, help, and advice within the Forum here, and use it directly and immediately to get past our own “hurdles” as they come along.

Always great to hear from you!

MJ

[the-old-coach]

I’ll be like a new puppy jumpin’ around peein’ all over the floor😜

[the-old-coach]

Giving yourself an occasional pat on the back is great advice indeed!👍