[the-old-coach]

Nice win!

My metronome and I have barely been on speaking terms since I got it ~9 months ago. It doesn’t see much sun, living in the drawer.

Seems when I was using it- it was ALL I COULD FOCUS ON- just seemed too distracting to me. Like my brain couldn’t be two places at once.

So– Question– when you are playing away, do you CONCENTRATE on the metronome, or is it turned way down- (volume-wise and “brain-wise” both), and have it kind-of “in the background”- with the music you’re playing being your brain’s MAIN focus?

Sorry about these dumb questions, but I want to bring it into my learning– as you all have done with way more success than I– and maybe it would help me if I could learn “where it was at in your brain”….. right when you are playing.

I have read all thru this thread- twice now. The thing’s always “had my number”, and I want to dust it off and learn how to use it!

(Note- sorry about all the “CAPS”, but when I try to underline or italicize something- it gets all wiggy with weird symbols, etc- anyone else notice this?).

Anyway– great win!— and thanks for any help you all can pass along….

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Mike- Great win– and insightful story.

It’s all in the details for me- (that explains my long-winded-ness😜). Your explanation of how you “ramped-up” the speed is something I’m gonna try. My brain seems to be sharper towards the start of a session, than toward the end, so I may get my hands warmed up only on that lesson for maybe only 5-10 minutes- and then “hit the gas” and see what happens- all early on in the session.

Anyway- thanks for sharin’– great win, great story, got me all fired up!

Mark

[the-old-coach]

Seems weird to be responding to my own post…

Along this thought of working on the “tougher” parts right off the bat in a session, I have been changing from one +/- hour-long session per day, to two, half-hour shots.

My brain just seems “fresher” or something in the first 10-15-20 minutes of a session, then after that, seems like I’m less accurate—- playing the same stuff. Noticeably less.

Is this a real thing- or am I just imagining it to myself?

I’ve read in here how many TAC-ers practice in several short sessions thru the day- (maybe rather than one longer session).

Maybe there’s somethin’ to this…. any thoughts?

Just wanted to see if there are any new opinions on this….

Thanks- MJ

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

gjhigh-

That cat means business. Look at that stone face…… And look at the mitts on that dude! Post every now & then to let us know you’re “still around”😬

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

I cancelled this post- it was posted in the wrong spot.

Mark J

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Thanks to you all for the replies!

You three -(along with many others)- have been more help and provided more encouragement to me- (and to– again– many others)- than you probably realize. And I, for one, am very grateful indeed.

In the more “philosophical” threads, I think it’s cool how everybody kind-of “feeds” off of each other. When a really interesting thread is started, it’s fun to see how the “answering” posts progress from one to the next, in an upward spiral of learning and ideas and viewpoints and help. Each one raising the bar for the next response. Sometimes something completely new to ponder. It’s great stuff.

In the more “technical” playing-type of thread discussions, I usually read each and every post or suggestion/tip/trick several times, and sometimes pick up a guitar and physically try each and every one. Slow?- yes. Helpful/valuable—– mostly-yes- (sometimes they are beyond my ability). Fun?—— always!

Whether you contribute or just follow along doesn’t matter….. everyone learns. And that’s why we’re here, right?

Again- great stuff….. Thanks to all!

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Tried a few minutes ago to post in here- but it wouldn’t post for some reason- (so if it DOES post- there’ll be two similar ones🙃)

Anyway Kristin1– Thank you for posting/starting this discussion!

Like Albert says– “This is a legit discussion”!

One of the best things about our TAC Forum is the responses that turn up when a great thread– like this one– is started.

The responses help many, many, MANY folks beside the ones that chime in—- this is cool stuff— VERY helpful.

Thank you, again, for your original thoughts.

Mark J

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Hardly a “small win”! Huge congrats!

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Throwin’ this long-winded post out there onto the “if anybody cares” pile.

This my 12-string, “4-days-in” update- (😒wow….. big deal….). So let’s keep that in perspective. These are just my opinions, based mostly on my own abilities or lack of, at this stage in my guitar journey. The ONLY reason I’m puttin’ this out there is because I had absolutely NO idea of what to expect when or if I wanted to consider a 12-string, and maybe my babble can help someone else considering one. Please also remember I’m really closer to “beginner” than to “intermediate” in overall ability, so that’s where these viewpoints come from. Much more experienced players, I certainly expect, would have much different thought processes.

Anyway, here goes….

Same as a 6-string? Not even. Different? YES. Waaaaaay different? Not that much. Harder? Right now-for me? Yes. “Worth it”? Yes. (because I EXPECTED it to be much more involved- much more “concentration” needed). And also– because of “that sound”.

The 12-string I have is a tank compared to my 6-string Fender dreadnaught-style, where the neck feels soooo much smaller and easier to work around. The 12 is not-so-much. By comparison, the neck is a “herc-meister”.

I’ve got a strategy going of practicing/playing the 12 for the FIRST half of the total session, then going to the 6. The 12-string requires SOOOO much more precision, accuracy, and concentration to ring clear- (far from even “OK” at it– for now).

Having a 12-er WILL make me a better 6-string player, sooner. Much sooner– because of the heightened concentration.

Anyway, upon changing over to the 6, it just does not even feel like the same guitar I’ve been playing almost every day for a year now. My fingers move around that thing like they’re two inches longer, and I’ve just gained 6 months of experience.

Been takin’ it slow with the 12. Lots of individual-note kind of exercises, and A thru G chords in majors, minors, 7th’s, and 5th’s. S-L-O-W and deliberate.

Even tried to monkey with a couple of TAB-songs by the Byrds and Beatles🙃.

Anyway– fun so far– and of course, that sound!

Mark J

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Thanks for your reply!

I have an OK I guess metro. Sounds like it has many of the same features as your I-phone setup. I loved your last paragraph especially- and read it about 3 times.

Mine “beeps” too.

I wonder if it would be less confusing to have a “click” kind of sound- or even a “drum” sound- (lighter- not bass-y)- something more natural in a “music-y” way—- and just sound better.

Like Albert says- “a drummer”.

The “beeps” just don’t sound right.

I think I’ll look around and see if there is a metro out there that has various sounds.

Thanks again- Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Thanks future-Jimmy😀

[the-old-coach]

Mike—

Great post- within a great thread!

Your last line- (in italics)- is 😀👍👍👍. Took me awhile to catch on to that mentality. Old saying– “Paralysis by Analysis”…… bad.

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Spent about 30 mins on it today, on various single-note exercises and easi-er chords. All flatpickin’ and strummin’. Felt like I couldn’t the side of a barn, even if I was inside.

Some days much better than others with it, it seems like, for me anyway.

Guess that’s just part of it.

Thanks-

Mark J

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

I’m hoping you’re laughing in a good way🙂!

[the-old-coach]

👍🙏