[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, 9 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 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, 9 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 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, 10 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, 10 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Thank you- (all)- for the TAC program and all that it takes to keep it going!

My one-year TACiversary is Jan 12. It has been an amazing first year.

The TAC “family” here inside our Forum is simply the BEST. It’s like a whirlwind of help and advice— kind-of self-sustaining in a way, as more experienced players help us newer ones, and someday we will pass it forward to others in the same way.

Oh, if you are located in Bozeman- you can take back the weather that you loaned us. We are not geared up for it out here on the WA coast area- we have ~11″ of this crazy white stuff in our yard right now😬…….. We are used to mild & wet.

Stay safe and well.

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Wanahini

Strange as it may sound, just putting your thoughts into words, right here in this Forum, so that everybody can see them– and reading them yourself– sometimes has a way of “washing away” frustration and expectation. It gives YOU a way of seeing yourself as others can see you.

I wish I had great advice for you, but I’m no stranger to what you’re going thru myself. Many others– probably everybody in fact– have been where you are, “it’s just part of the deal”.

My simple advice- 1. Take your foot off the gas. It’s OK. Let everything catch up with everything. 2. Realize that you HAVE made real progress! 3. Throw some FUN back into your sessions- (something like easy, fun, TAB- (E-chords, etc)- songs of your old favorites- they are a blast and I bet you’ll do great at them). 4. Your own brain will tell when it’s time to get back to work.

These things work for me- maybe you too. Each of us is different.

Mark J

[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, 10 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

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

[the-old-coach]

👍🙏

[the-old-coach]

That would be awesome. You- (ALL)- would remember that for the rest of your lives- (even the little ones!)

[the-old-coach]

My fingers are crossed!

However, teens seem to change their minds “as often as I change my shirt”.

She’s a bright girl and a hard worker.

Parallel(?)– She had never swung a golf club until 2 years ago, but worked hard at learning all the swing mechanics, rhythm, and movement, had a blast doing it, and made the varsity team as a freshman at one of the biggest high schools in the Seattle area.

I really hope she wants to learn guitar. I’m gonna give her a “light” call in a week or two to see.