[the-old-coach]

Well, I guess all I really need is the tab/pdf’s. Thank you both for clarifying.

Loraine, I’ll try to figure out how to send you some kind of message if you are willing to send those 4- (tue, wed, thu, & fri) pdf’s my way somehow once we get back. My computer skills are limited on how that all works, but maybe we can get it done. I can get tomorrow’s before we head out.

Thank you immensely😃-

Mark

[the-old-coach]

Wow– I’ve been petal to the medal for 5 months, w/ most daily sessions at around 1:20 total, give or take- every day. Only missed maybe 5-6 days total- (2 short vacations). Maybe just didn’t realize it could’ve been “too much” all along, and didn’t know any different.

I remember it being pretty vague how to actually “get started” in TAC- (there were lots of posts on that subject in the old Forum). Maybe because there is no “one size fits all”- (we are all at different levels of experience and ability when we join). So I guess I thought the full-throttle approach was best- and actually- it fit my personality- and schedule. When I joined I was just getting over a two-week bout w/ COVID, and wasn’t doing much….. TAC was a perfect fit right about then.

Anyway, for starters, I think I’m gonna let up on the gas a bit- maybe half- and see where that takes me.

Thanks to all for advice and encouragement, and for this Forum altogether!

The more suggestions, the better! Keep ’em coming- maybe there are others in the same boat- reading along.

Sincerely- Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Thank you all for the help and encouragement! Means a lot.

It’s dumb for me to be answering my own post, but, I apologize if my post is not clear. I read in some of your answers- the references to “ten minutes”, and was wondering what you all meant. Is it 10 minutes total?

I didn’t clarify it well in my original post- I usually practice with 10 minutes of stretching/warmup, then 10 mins on each of the most recent 4 or 5 daily lessons, then usually 10 mins each on 1 or 2 of the Skills course lessons- (this varies), and then maybe sometimes 10 mins on some song I’m foolin’ around with. Usually runs somewhere around an hour & 20 mins total.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear. I tried to edit my original post but it wouldn’t let me.

Thank you for all the responses so far- I have read them at least twice and am soaking it in.

Mark J

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

[the-old-coach]

Totally agree with Loraine’s post about doing the stretching exercises. For what it’s worth, try to keep your left arm as straight as you can while stretching- you’ll see the difference it makes. Caution- go easy on this at the start- you can hurt yourself.

My two cents- Mark J

[the-old-coach]

I print mine too, and put them in a 3-ring binder– to be able to practice without my laptop.

At the end of each month— make sure you have them all printed out—– because when the next month’s lessons come out, it seems it was hard to get “back” to get that previous-month’s lessons- when I failed to have them all printed out…. (note– there is probably an easy way I don’t know about- maybe/likely someone else knows how).

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Omar-

Congrats on your one-year anniversary! I’m about 7-months behind you in “TAC-time” but way-way behind you in guitar-career-time and knowledge.

Thank you for posting the questions/answers also– good stuff.

To me, posts like yours lay down a “path” for those of us who come after you, and that’s very important and helpful.

I really enjoy the TAC program, but it sometimes has all seemed a little “vague” to me- practice-practice-practice, not really knowing where I’m headed other than improving skills- (which by itself I’m really OK with😃). Skill-improvement has to come with some learning, and that’s where I know I need improvement.

Bright side– Your post gives me a glimpse into what can happen as- (or maybe after?)- I put in the time & effort on the Daily Lessons/ Skills courses, along with some thinking and reflecting.

Again- thanks.

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

First off, I’m not a computer person so I don’t have any idea of the scope of work in re-building the TAC website- but imagine it was a tremendous undertaking.

I think the new version seems easier to get where you want to go, maybe somehow “cleaner”. Don’t ask me to explain that- just seems that way to me.

I do think there are quite a few of the Forum “regulars”- (from when I joined TAC all of 5 months ago)- who just don’t seem to be around in the “new” Forum. The threads from before seemed more personal somehow.

Sure, the conversations kind-of wandered around a bit, but they also maybe had a friendly feel- and- to me anyway, that “personal feel” was great because the help, advice, and encouragement that passed from one to another seemed friendlier, and because of that- maybe more effective.

Not complaining- and I really like the new site- but, again, I kind-of miss “seeing” some of the regulars from when I joined.

MJ

[the-old-coach]

Andy–

Well— as you have already seen— the Community here is absolutely the best!

I have found that- 1. No question is too small- 2. You’ll find that this “family” is a fantastic asset and source of help and information- and 3. They/we genuinely care and want to help each other. It’s great.

Welcome to TAC!- onward and upward!

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

👍

[the-old-coach]

Jeff-

For me, it doesn’t get any better than advice and perspective(s) that you and Mike G. bring to the table here. Amazing stuff really.

Based on both of your description(s) from both of yours’ past posts about where you were when you “started” guitar, and how you learned- (and still learn), to where you two are now— I think- (and hope)- I’m following similar paths as you both did- though obviously well behind.

I am really OK with workin’ away at the daily lessons and a few of the skills courses at this point, because I think that is the RIGHT way to learn guitar.

A line in your first post in this thread was- “I wanted to learn how to play guitar, not just a song on the guitar.” That’s where I’m at.

From a still-pretty-much-newbie’s viewpoint, the TAC program is right on the money. Gotta eat the veggies before you get dessert.

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Jeff-

Wow. I read through your response three times, and got something new out of it each time. Thank you for it.

I hope you left crumbs as you went thru your guitar journey- for me to follow…….

Man- I’ve got some work ahead’a me. There’s a boulder and a mountain waitin’.

Always- thanks-

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

Mike-

Always good to hear your thoughts. Again……. again……. you have provided an encouraging answer- (and that is way more important than you may realize….).

(Maybe like you?)- I’m kind-of a “grinder”. I’m at a point where I actually do add a little bit of zing to some of the Daily Lessons- maybe bending strings or “double-picking” the licks- (although slower). Stuff like that. I’m not that good at it (yet), but that kinda stuff seems fun to me. I’m hopin’ that this is the start of the “going off on a tangent from the drill” you mention. It isn’t any kind of “musicality” (yet), but I get a kick out of that kinda stuff. To me, it’s playing….

I’ll take your encouragement and keep on grindin’.

I’m gonna have to re-read your second paragraph a couple more times- it seems over my head- but I’ll think it out and get the message.

I miss and love discussions and odd side trips like this. They are what gives our Forum that good-old friendly feeling.

We’re all learning guitar- the “little bit off topic” stuff sometimes makes it easier— warts ‘n all. Last I heard, we’re all humans. To me, it’s about “the connection”.

Analogy— Workers learn just as much about their jobs— sittin’ around AFTER work— BS’ing ABOUT work— as they do when they’re actually AT work.

My dumb opinions……….. and asking for others’…..

Thanks again-

Mark

• This reply was modified 4 years, 11 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 11 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

👍

[the-old-coach]

Thanks- Mike.

I think folks’ll start to wander back in time. Could also be the time of year- people are outside more– it’s NICE outside!– there’s stuff to do and people to maybe go see after a long pandemic- and then Winter….. It’s even startin’ to dry out a bit up here on the Washington coast– where Summer starts sometime after July 5th😜………

I’ve spent less time in the Forum myself… just workin’ my way thru a few of the Skills Courses- (Foundations of Fretboard Navigation, and the 5-day Finger Stretching Challenge most lately), grindin’ away at the Daily Lessons, and tryin’ to figure out all these “cone drills” will someday magically fit together to make music.

Great to hear from ya!

Mark J

[the-old-coach]

🤔