[the-old-coach]

jnerney–

Please don’t read my post here and think that I am tryin’ to be some know-it-all– that’s certainly not my intention. I have been exactly where you are and know exactly how you’re feeling.

I was in TAC for 3 years, am no longer a member, but I somehow still have access to this TAC Forum– (which I still LOVE, by the way). What caught my eye about your post is your disappointment with TAC “not teaching you to play a song”. Please try to remember this– try NOT to focus on short-term, instant-gratification things like “learning to play a song”. I believe that TAC’s overall plan for you is NOT to be able “to play a song”, but rather, over time- (and it DOES take time)- be able to play ANY song. Looking at it THAT way- (and- again– putting in the time and effort, just being patient within yourself, and trusting the process)- it’s easy to see which direction to follow, that will give you the best overall outcome……. over time. I think TAC’s philosophy is to build within you a solid foundation of OVERALL skills– with which you can go whatever way you want- (we are ALL different and have different skill-levels entering TAC, and also different “end-goals”……. there is no “one-size-fits-all”.

Consider this: fast-forward a full year…… Would you rather have “learned” maybe a half-dozen old songs- (pretty cool……. for about a week)……… or would you rather have built a solid base of SKILLS from which you can build on— whatever direction you choose. (spoiler alert— playing ANY song will become MUCH easier in the process).

So be patient with yourself and just enjoy the ride. Along the way– in ADDITION to your TAC-learning– remember that there are PLENTY of youtube videos that’ll teach you to play ANY song you want to learn. (my faves are Marty Schwartz and Justin Sandercoe).

If you focus on just learning a song— you are giving-up actually learning guitar.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Hello– Barb. This is a great thread– and you have had GREAT responses so far– (prior to this comment of mine!).

OK– When you mention “Licks and single note-playing” are you referring to spicing-up that moment or so BETWEEN chords, or, maybe, playing “walk-downs” or “walk-ups”(?)— or are you talking about entire instrumental lines within a song- (like “mini-solos”)?

Specifically “when” and “how” you are trying to use these licks and single notes is important…. Including: if it’s when you are just noodling-around, or if it’s when you’re just practicing transitions from one chord to the next, or if it’s when you’re trying to play-along with a song, or even if it’s when you are writing tunes on your own…. on and on….

I have some ideas and possible suggestions, depending on your specific use.

First things first: Be cool. Even if you think you aren’t improving….. you ARE. Take this issue in small chunks of time. NOT hours-long beat-downs. Just 10 minutes or so, then come back to it later….. or tomorrow….. Your brain needs time to soak it in.

[the-old-coach]

Great thread! Fun to read.

My own goals are to go back thru the 20-or-so songs I’ve written and posted either in here or JMG, and re-do them— using knowledge I’ve gained in the last couple years. Plus, FINISH the at-least-that-many-again, that are “in progress”). Then, I hope to whittle them down to 20, then 10, then have some kind of a “favorite 5”, or similar, that I can play at VOM’s or maybe even an open mic somewhere- IF somehow I can get up the nerve!).

It’s a tall order for me, but I’m optomistic- (maybe…..).

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

jbrod–

Look up Marty Schwartz….. maybe also Angela Petrelli…..

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Try this…… Remember that your fingers are NOT “individual(s)” when finding frets and building a chord on the fretboard…….

Think of it more-like your fingers have “neighbors”- (your other fingers)….. and there is a “location-relationship” between them as you are building a chord on the fretboard. I guess what I’m trying to say is that– once you land the index finger– you really only need to remember the relative-location BETWEEN the index and the middle finger, and then subsequently, BETWEEN the middle and the ring finger. Just remember where they are in relation to one another.

(In the case of an open C chord, once you land your index finger…. it’s “up one fret/up two strings”….. and then….. “up one more fret/ up one more string”).

I know this all sounds confusing, but I like to think of landing these individual notes as “one, then the next, then the next”, kind-of “in order”. NOT focusing on where each one is individually on the fretboard….. but rather focusing on the location relative to the finger you just landed.

Sorry if this all sounds confusing; I tried to explain it as clearly as I could. And it may not work for you. It’s more of a “how to think about it” thing. Hope my ramblings help.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Sorry, Dennis- got carried away also. You have started a good thread here.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Jeff– once again– you have delivered the perfect response and guidance.

Dennis– Forget about “needing” to be so all-exact in your practice time– and the subject matter of each practice. Don’t worry about that stuff. IMHO– just “go with the flow” of the TAC philosophy. This is what you are paying-for as a member in TAC. You’re paying for all the planning to be done for you, so the burden of all that thinking-about “what you should work on next” and all the self-expectation is off your shoulders. Just keep playing every day, remember that learning guitar is not “required-reading” in life—– and that it is a s-l-o-w process. And never forget that you started this journey with the intent of having fun with it.

Over time, learning all these various things- (that may be seemingly impossible now)- will almost happen “on auto-pilot”.

When I was first in my power-lineman apprenticeship training (mid 1980’s)- boy was I ever “full of p*ss and vinegar”. I wanted it ALL……. NOW. That was a big mistake. You need time to fully understand something new. I was told by an old-timer lineman that I should stop “trying to make things happen– and just let things happen”. What a difference that made! I also realized right then that there was a huge difference between learning something, and actually understanding it.

Yeah- the whole “practice-time” (and content) is a very vague thing if you try to figure it all out yourself. But, that’s why you are a member in TAC. You have enough on your mind in learning– let them do the heavy-lifting as far as planning-out everything.

(Disclaimer– offering completely-un-asked-for opinions is just another service I offer free of charge!)

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Jeff– I kind-of feel a bit sorry for you, now knowing that “our minds think alike”.

I want to re-join TAC, but it is a bit of a financial burden for me nowadays. I really LOVED the structured/ yet positive overall theme of the TAC philosophy. And….. it WORKS….. and works GOOD.

And it is always great to hear from you. You have pulled me out of the weeds several times over the years.

yer pal-

the old coach

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

If I may, can I mention something that was told to me a long time ago, by a guy who played (mostly “rhythm-guitar”) in local bands for years.

I use it, it makes transitions much easier, and sounds cool in the process. It simply involves adding, changing, or removing one finger off the chord you are going “from”– on your way to the chord you are going “to”. Sounds confusing– but it is soooo easy.

Here’s an example– you are transitioning from a C chord- (using the “normal” open shape)- to a G chord- (again- “normal shape”).

Take your C, and– (sort of “on your way” to G)- simply drop your pinkie (that’s unused in the C), onto the 3rd fret of the Hi-E, and take a strum there. Think of it as “kind-of a bridge” / kind-of a “chord-in-between-chords” on your way from C to G– (kind of a “half C/ half G”).

And… your pinkie is already “there” as you finish moving to the G.

Think of this as a “general concept” that can be used on LOTS of transitions from any chord to any chord. (You can also “LIFT” a pinkie or an index finger– gives you LOTS of cool-sounding transitions).

Another suggestion as you change from chord to chord is to use “sus2″s and “sus4″s in the same manner I mentioned here. They are COOL!

You can also just use this just playing 2-3 strings- (sort of a “mini-chord”)- or even just pick ONE string in the transition.

Just maybe experiment/noodle around with this idea a little. Let me know if it works or even makes sense for you.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

In my completely “non-pro” opinion- (although I have had a few injuries in my day)- you’re on the right track by sticking with what the therapist(s) say. They are the one(s) you will have a lot more dealings with, in the future.

[the-old-coach]

I’ve said it and thought it all along- you have “got this”- (even though I actually hate that saying). Main focus, as you know for sure, is in the long term. And you are “driven” enough, but also smart enough and patient enough, to make long-term recovery a sure thing. Be cool, sis……. “you got this”—- (yuk……).

[the-old-coach]

Loraine– Thanks for the update… but, now, WOW. I know that some time has passed since your original fall, but I/WE want you to know that we are ALL still in your corner and thinking of you!

[the-old-coach]

Paul–

I believe you have correctly hit on a big part of the process. The “5-minutes” part.

For me– 12, 5-minute mini-sessions on a particular topic- (in this case- chord transitions)- works, and is much more “remembered”, than, say, 1, 60-minute session.

But, also, those little 5-minute sessions have to be extremely focused on just one specific thing or action.

Anyway- everyone is different, so what I might say, may not work for you at all.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Loraine– Thank you for the update. We’re all still thinking of you and sending you strength!

[the-old-coach]

You already know the shapes, but playing them with different fingers will be awkward at the start, because they most likely weren’t the way you first learned how to play the open chords. I’m not saying to give up on the way you first learned them, just maybe give some thought to trying this new, different way of seeing and playing these easier chords- E, E, A, Am, and D.

Being able to play those using this additional way—- it’s important to look at this as a second way of playing them—- (with your middle, ring, and pinkie—- with your index just waiting in the wings)….. will pay off BIG TIME in the future.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  the-old-coach.