[the-old-coach]

saskia-

Mike’s suggestion of Ultimate Guitar is a good one.

If it matters- (and if they have the kind of music that you mentioned)- another good “tab” site is E-chords- (echords.com).

[the-old-coach]

Terry- I also have trouble “joining on to” the moving backing track. Maybe I’m just doing it wrong, but my problem seems to be STARTING. I can play the scale just fine, but it doesn’t sound to me like every part of the scale goes with every part of the track, so just starting “anywhere” doesn’t sound as good as when you are “in sync” with the track.(?) Sometimes I’ll wait till the very first part of the scale “matches” with the “restart” of the track.

Heck – I dunno- but I have quite a time with those, too!

I maybe think it would be easier if the backing track had the same kind-of “strum four times on deadened strings- like the “Play” videos always do. Then maybe at least we’d know when to start- right from the top.

Maybe I just have it all messed-up- (actually a fairly good chance of that).

This is a great thread– thanks for asking the question!

Mark J

[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, 3 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 3 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, 3 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 3 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, 4 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Hardly a “small win”! Huge congrats!

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Jeff- I gotta figure this tension thing out. Is that what’s goin’ on when– the very first few times thru a lick or scale- (Daily lesson)- I seem to nail it………

Then I don’t know what the hell happens, but sometimes it just goes downhill.

Is this what you mean when you say- don’t THINK about it…….. just play?

Many times it takes me the 10+ minutes to get back anywhere near the first couple times thru, (but I figure maybe that might be because of constant repetition?)

Is this the “tension” you all are talking about?

[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, 4 months ago by  the-old-coach.