[the-old-coach]

Pete–

Being “old-school”, I find the written versions to be the best. I have three- Vol 1, Vol 2, and the Circle of Fifths. All separate paperback books. They’re ~$15 each via Amazon- (free shipping w/Prime).

Not knowing “where you are” in your guitar-journey, I might suggest just getting Volume 1 for now (~$15), just to see where you “land”. Note– the little “self-quizzes” at the end of each chapter are very helpful…. James Shipway has a very “light” manner in his teaching-style. He keeps it fun, while still pushing you a bit.

Lastly, I REALLY like to have the printed version. It allows me to scribble-down notes, comments, and/or questions at the top and bottom of the page, let’s me book-mark to where I left off, and probably most importantly, it lets me easily highlight any sticky points or issue that I need to go back to— (and there WILL be some). I also put the little earmark-tab things on whatever pages to instantly find and go to things I want to go BACK to.

(Side-note(s)—- Vol 2 is “tougher”- (but maybe more rewarding— because of that). In many cases, the Chapters “build upon the previous one”.

The Circle of Fifths book is quite informative for about the first half of it or so, then maybe a little repetitive(?). But…. the first half alone is waaay worth the $15 or so. Even if you don’t buy this particular book—- LEARN the Circle of Fifths if you don’t already know what it is and what it can REALLY do for you.

• This reply was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Jim—

One thought would be to start with the “mini-F”. If you’re not familiar with this, do your own search(es) and go from there.

I can easily play the (full?) F, but just don’t see any need to. The mini is MUCH easier “to go to and from” in a chord progression.

There’s also a (my fave) chord website– “chordbook.com” that shows several different versions of common chords.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Just as others mentioned here— have FUN with it all…. (and really enjoy the sounds that you are making).

Maybe try to be “just a little beyond” your comfort zone for a good part of your learning sessions. (Mike G has always said to remember………there is a big difference between learning and practicing!).

Anyway– congrats on completing the 30 Days to play!!! Now– go exploring!

• This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Kevin– When you “rollin'” on a song– it looks like you are just havin’ a blast! We just got back from the Reno BBQ, Blues, and Brews festivus— and you’d have fit right in there– on stage! Never thought that much about the 12-bar blues, but, at that event, it’s the order of the day. I bet I heard a hundred different versions/ways/keys/twists, etc to play and sing along with it. It was great. So hearing your post took me right back there!

[the-old-coach]

WOW. How cool! Thanks, Loraine for posting this!

[the-old-coach]

Kevin—

I really liked this performance! I just love this kind of guitar-playing-style of yours, and was mesmerized by watching and listening. Sometimes the vocals seemed suddenly pretty loud, but overall, I just LOVED this performance. (BTW- I watch and listen to all your song-posts and enjoy them……. but don’t always respond). Keep crankin’ ’em out!

Question– do you have all these songs memorized????…. If so— fantastic!

• This reply was modified 10 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Ang—

I agree 100% with Skyman. I wouldn’t so easily kick it to the curb because of the initial cost….. It may provide you with a lifetime’s worth of “understanding”, it WILL help you “see” how LOTS of things “come together”. I always thought of it as it gave me an all-new-and-“more clear” starting-point, from which to take off in the different directions of guitar. It may help you find which direction that “fits you best”. It makes you think and helps you see.

Like Skyman says— you OWN it……. for life. I’ve been thru it like 3 1/2 times, and I discover new things each time.

I don’t know if they do– or ever did– but it would be GREAT if there was, like, a “3-day” (or something) Trial period……. You’re never gonna buy a car without takin’ for a short test drive, right?

• This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Loraine–

This is just a really great post! You’re always there to lift us up, pull us (OK, mostly me) out of the weeds, and always remind us of the good. Even in bad situations such as Terry’s.

Terry– yuh know, when one of us is hurtin’ we all hurt a little. We’re all hoping for a complete, speedy (as possible, anyway) recovery. Thanks for the update.

M

[the-old-coach]

Petelanger says– “I have studied the circle of fifths, but it’s such a huge topic, it’s something I’ll be revisiting for years to come. At the time of reading I was able to absorb about 10%, because even grasping the concepts doesn’t mean you have internalized it. I know that it has significance on multiple levels, but it’s not that helpful if you don’t have a good command of intervals yet“.

Well, I think your response here- is by far the more-insightful one! Some say, however to be careful not to overthink it. It’s just a tool that allows you to easily see “what goes with what”- and the order (and/or “number”) the notes and/chords are in, in their respective families/groups/uses, and relative to each other….

I have a hand-drawn, “dual-circle”- (shows major and minor), taped to the top of my desk, and rely on it heavily when I’m writing songs or tinkering with chord progressions.

• This reply was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Jorge and Pete–

My simple opinion (and what I remember of it– it’s probably been a year or so since I went thru it last)- is that Fretboard Wizard isn’t so much about PLAYING- (guitar-“exercises”, etc)….. it’s more about LEARNING different/various “other-things-guitar”. It’s not so much a one-or-the-other thing…… the two-things are separate, but of course, related). Thing is- (my opinion again)- is that you can certainly do BOTH the regular TAC exercises AND Fretboard Wizard……… at the same time……….

Just do not get in ANY kind of “rush” about hurrying thru FBW if you’re not fully “getting-it”. Better to be slow and have a clear understanding AS YOU GO.

Out of the blue, you’ll start to “see things” and how they go together, and it will be lightbulb moments all over the place.

Go for it.

[the-old-coach]

Absolutely agree! There is a “series” of these “No Bull” books. I have three of them…… All good.

Like FBW….. they aren’t so much about “guitar-exercises”, etc,…… more about thinking guitar.

BOTH are great stuff.

• This reply was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

I agree completely!

If you can learn barre chords, along with the simple “E” and “A” shapes, you’ve got a huge thing figured-out!—- because they are all moveable. This allows you to play every chord at multiple places along the fretboard.

Barre chords are a HUGE– and necessary– part of everyone’s guitar-journey.

A good place to start is to learn to play open chords- (especially A, E, D, C)- and all their variations- (minors, 7s, minor 7s, sus’s, etc)…….. without using your index finger– only using your middle/ring/pinkie.

Tough?………. yes……….. Worth it?……… absolutely.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Hey, my-old-friend Bill!!!! How the heck are you? Haven’t seen you floatin’ around here too much lately. Good to “see” ya!

Anyway, yeah, I love seeing Kevin’s video-son-posts! … He’s “all-in”, and pedal-to-the-metal. And he can really play guitar.

[the-old-coach]

Well, still vertical, air is going in&out, and my socks are the same color.

I’ve been really busy but have still had some time to play guitar. I think I focus quite a bit on writing my own tunes– (maybe at the expense of actually putting in the work of getting better at guitar…

But writing songs is something that I really enjoy; just messing with them/ changing them/ tinkering with all the moving parts…… I bet I usually change a song at least 50 times before I post it — (and even then, still think of it as “a work in progress”). To me, it’s the changing and tinkering that is really fun. I actually do think I learn quite a bit doing that.

I still check in here in TAC, and also JMG, all the time….. There are all the really great folks in both spots—– so friendly and helpful!

But—- it is always great to see you and read all your posts— (because you will always be a part of my guitar-journey….. going way back to when I first joined TAC….. (all those years ago)…

[the-old-coach]

Feedback is very important!