[the-old-coach]

Oh, yeah. I think it’s normal, but then again, it happens to me, too….

[the-old-coach]

Cheryl-

Here’s something I’ve tried when decades-old hand issues come to haunt me. Maybe it also helps my brain “catch up” or “keep up”.

I know not everybody has the time- but…..

Maybe try this– limit the TIME you practice in one session– but have 2-3 shorter practice sessions in a day. I used to- (OK, sometimes I still do)- pound away for maybe an hour and a half in one practice session. My hands and brain were both pretty tired at the end- even when I was “in the zone”. I nowadays find that my brain— and playing-accuracy— is much better during the earlier segments of my daily practice(s). Hands, too. Maybe they- (brain and hands both)- just plain kind of get “tired” from extended periods of hard brain-concentration(?). Shorter sessions work great for me, anyway.

However, to contradict my own point🙄, I’ve read that “just beyond the point where you are comfortable is where to learn the most”.

Remember– the words “work” and “fun” don’t have any of the same letters. Keep it fun.

Anyway- maybe try something like this? I’ll go back under my rock now.

Go get ’em–

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Guy-

There are some really great, thoughtful responses already here, for sure.

As for me, one of my best/worst traits is that I’m an overthinker.

And I think I’m at almost the same spot as you in your wonderings.

So- (not to steer the conversation)- is there some sort of “normal progression” to follow? Is that what “drives us” to practice and learn, practice and learn, repeat…..?

I know in my remaining lifetime, I certainly will never learn all I want to know about— or be as skilled as I want to be— when it comes to guitar/playing/singing and playing. And I’m good with that. I’ll settle for getting- (more slowly)- better at BOTH.

And it sure seems like there has to be some sort of goal line out there somewhere.

I know there’s no magic “line” out there, that once you cross it, you’re now “good at guitar”, and likely also that even once you reach that “where you want to go” place, there will always be the “next”.

So…. doesn’t there HAVE to be some kind of big goal of some kind out there that we are ALL, actually, striving for?- (the reason we all joined TAC?). Granted, it is different for each of us. But if there is no “goal”, aren’t we just practicing just to enjoy the practicing?- (which is fine by me, by the way).

So I guess- (after all my worthless ramblings)- that my thought is that I think you aren’t hurting anything at all by working on DIFFERENT parts of your entire guitar-music-learning-enjoyment as you travel your path.

So for me, I guess, it makes the most sense to continue on BOTH the “skills-stuff” and the “music/fun stuff”.

Remember when I said I was an overthinker?…….. there ya go.

Mark

[the-old-coach]

To all- Many thanks for the help and advice.

The first line- of my first post- in this thread was- “Full disclosure- my inexperience is on full display here🙃”.

So now—– pretty-damned embarrassed—– I must admit that it is all completely “operator-error”.

I had to do a little digging to find out the solution was ridiculously simple😳

Upside- after all your help and advice, I will be buying a different tuner!

Thank you all again- (now I’ll go back under my rock)

Mark

[the-old-coach]

Freedom-

My 2 cents to add-

There are some really good answers to your question in this thread- from some very caring and knowledgable people!

As for me, I- (used to- and that’s important— used to)- attack the “Dailies” like a flock of seagulls after a bag of Cheetos. Sometimes I’d work those babies for 6 or 7, 10-minute sessions- until I had them “down”. Or- worse- (way worse)- until I –DIDN’T– have them “down” —- and felt bad about it.

Experience and good listening- (here in this Forum)- has taught me nowadays to put in an —-honest—- effort and be fine with that. Not sayin’ give up easy– (remember……. it is a LESSON). Maybe go a couple extra days- (say, if it’s a mind- or finger- coordination issue that you want to strengthen a bit). Maybe make a note of it or Favoritize it, and come back to it now & again- (just for the fun of seeing your own improvement- and you WILL see it!- “build yourself in” some small wins!)- but just for 3-4 minutes and move on.

If you don’t already know- some of the Dailies will come much easier to you than others. Full disclosure- for me, I sometimes kind-of “coast” on those easier ones. Example- when the movement of the hands seems easy- I try to REALLY focus just on clear notes.

OK- my “dumb-guy” summary:

Keep it light, and keep it fun! But…. at the same time…. remember, we all bought into this Acoustic Challenge to learn how to improve our guitar playing…. (read that line again)….. And it is indeed a Challenge! (Here’s a weird comparison– NO golfer ever wants to play a boring, flat, straight, golf course— blah!). So give each Daily a good, honest, effort, go back if you want to, be honest with yourself about that lesson, and don’t let “expectations” take away the joy and FUN of hearing those sounds you just created!

(thanks Mike and Loraine for the nudge(s) that keep many of us going- me for sure)

Mark

[the-old-coach]

👍

[the-old-coach]

It remains my favorite.

Thought about writing it on my forehead- ((sdrawkcab))- so I could read it in the mirror each morning, but I think my wife would fail to see the humor in it.

Among others here, jumpinjeff is surely in the “Oh, Wise One” circle of honor, whereas I dwell in the “What the hell is he thinking” group😜

Mark

[the-old-coach]

“Focus on play as my practice– rather than practice to play”

Jeff- You- (along with many others!)- have given us plenty of simple yet insightful and brilliant thoughts to chew on since I’ve “known” you here on the Forum- (over my ~10 months in TAC).

This is one of the best.

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

You hit it right on the head……..👍

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

[the-old-coach]

👍

[the-old-coach]

Mike-

I’m one of those who have had— and sort-of-played— and sort-of-learned— some things- (or at least we thought)- because we could play along with the guitar tabs to a couple of Creedence songs. Oh the memories….

As bad as that sounds- it was damn FUN!- and we were really somethin’ cool- especially when there were buddies, and their guitars, and maybe beer involved. And actually, we were LEARNING guitar stuff- (basic chords, transitions, and maybe even a sense of rhythm).

For quite a few of us- (me for sure)- it’s now “fast-forward” to today- (30-40 years later)—– and TAC. Like you said, Tony’s method and philosophy- (to me anyway)- steadily and subconsciously teaches us NOT how to play — “A” — song, but rather, gives us the tools to play ANY song- (of course with some song-specific practice).

Not to mention teaching me how to RE-LEARN things I learned WRONG- (and there were a few of them!)

My two cents—- This program– and this Community– are great…… period.

Mark

[the-old-coach]

Tails-

Sounds like that’s it– Thanks!

Mark

[the-old-coach]

Tails- Thanks for the answer. When I turn that G string down- (looking for that F#)- does it actually display “F#” ? Seems like some I saw may display the “F”, but there colors that you have to go to “off of “center” – (F) either flat or sharp. What you suggest you may be exactly what I need.

I can get it pretty close using the “fretting another string” method, and going by ear, but I thought having something that displays it- (F#)- clearly would be more accurate, faster and downright coooooooler!

Oops- (edited)- all of this is referring to the clip-on tuner- (the first one). The second method is WELL beyond my electronic-skill-level😀

• This reply was modified 5 years, 1 month ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Mike– that emoji sequence is HILARIOUS…… and true…….. 😉

[the-old-coach]

Jeff-

In my long-winded reply, I forgot to say that I do just about that exact same thing as far as the Monday warmup lessons go- (I must be on the right track!😀). I use the Monday lesson as my warmup- (along w/ some other older warm-up stuff)- to start out each day’s practice that week.

BTW- I forgot to add YOU to the “list” of those who have kept me going- and on the right path- (along w/ many others🤨).

Mark

• This reply was modified 5 years, 1 month ago by  the-old-coach.