[the-old-coach]

Jorge–

This is a great post you have put here. I think many of us have the same issue from time to time- (maybe a little scattered as far as practice-specifics goes). The “what chord I should be playing next” line really caught my eye.

This is a skill I want to improve on for sure; but I’m confused about how to actually get there; I’m thinking it has to go all the way “back” to chord matrixes (cies?), chord “families”, maybe Circle of Fifths, etc, to get a handle on “what goes with what…. next”.

My mom used to be able to just listen to the start of a song, and be able to play-along on their old piano– perfectly— before the song was even over. And with zero “music-training” outside of maybe high-school band- (back in the early 50’s). Looking back on it now (and learning how to play guitar), it was really kind-of amazing. She could just instinctively/intuitively…… hear it– grasp it– and play it.

Now and then, I’ll see a solo-guitarist perform their set and then take a few requests for songs. It’s cool to see the expressions on their face as they take a few seconds just “to remember the lyrics….. and then talk/think to themselves as they figure-out the key/ chords/ chord progressions/ etc”, and then start tinkering until they get it right…….. and then just play-away!

This is a skill I would LOVE to have.

I know this isn’t a specific suggestion of how to better organize/specific ways to practice. But I hope you get LOTS of responses! (I’ll be following-along).

• This reply was modified 11 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 11 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

BBerry—

TAC should be thought-of as “another part” of your overall guitar-learning journey, working in conjunction with other sources of teaching and learning/lessons/materials. I can’t believe there is a one-size fits all, “we will make you a great guitarist”, website or other source- (inc private lessons).

We all start our guitar journey from a different spot; different amounts of experience/ different skills already in place/ different eventual goals/ etc.

TAC’s emphasis isn’t about “learning to play a song”…… It’s about giving you a broader view– toward learning how to play any song. Learn all the skills and drills— along with playing-along with your favorite tabbed songs- (“spread-out” you learning a bit).

In my 3 years in TAC, I did sometimes wonder “what is this stuff?– why do I need this?“. Then I realized you have to be patient enough to let your brain have the time to take it all in. It just plain …. takes time.

Don’t worry…. the lightbulb moments… and the small wins… will come.

Focus on:

Having FUN with it all.

Learn the huge difference between practicing and playing.

Playing SLOWLY and ACCURATELY is way better than fast– (fast will come).

You learn a LOT right here in this TAC forum- (and there are great folks in here also).

Hang in there

T-O-C

• This reply was modified 11 months, 2 weeks ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Matt– Well said.

[the-old-coach]

To both JT and Skyman–

In my pretty-much-unedu-macated opinion, BOTH of your posts are just plain, right-on.

My two-bits—– I spent a lot of time trying to be “perfect”, while not taking into account that I was (and still am for the most part), a beginner. Oh, I wanted to be something— and I wanted it now. What a mistake, because I could no way live up to my own un-realistic expectations. So of course this leads to frustration and disappointment. And the cycle repeats, because for the most part, I was “practicing” the wrong way to learn; engraining really bad habits and methods into my brain.

I just got a book called “The Practice of Practice”. Wow what an eye-opener, and I’m still in the early chapters. (Not tryin’ to sell you a book here, it’s just about learning the right way/ not searing those bad habits into your brain).

I finally had to come to three main focus(es)—– 1. Play for fun. 2. Realize that it’s OK to be bad- (that’s actually how you learn the most) / and 3. KEEP IT SIMPLE.

[the-old-coach]

Moose–

Thank you for sharing this tune! I really enjoyed it, especially the simplicity of it. Just you, your guitar, and a microphone.

[the-old-coach]

Even if you can’t play it well at the start…… make sure you think it well at the start…… It will all come together/ the lightbulb moments will start….. but mostly because you are understanding it– (and the “why” of it). They have to work together, and you need both, but the playing and the thinking are separate.

[the-old-coach]

Loraine— great post, right there!

Barbara— Take a few minutes and re-read Loraine’s post. Maybe more than once. Follow her advice and suggestions. Ease into the FBW program at first if you are relatively new to guitar and/or music in general. The knowledge inside FBW isn’t just specifically for guitar. It is broader than that. It’s a great program and a good guitar-investment. In my opinion, it will make you a better guitar player……. because you will be a better “guitar-thinker“.

[the-old-coach]

Great thread. Some great song-suggestions, too.

So, in my humble un-edumacated experience, when someone says “play me something”, they have shined a spotlight on both our biggest fear and our biggest dream. (Deep down inside) Isn’t that what we want?– even if we don’t admit it? Isn’t this unspoken scenario one of the basic reasons we’re here in the first place?

But…. for me…. at least now…. it’s sheer panic– (at least when directly right in front of a person or group). I’ve recorded dozens of videos into Youtube and what-not, and that’s hard enough, but I can get thru that OK.

I think MY next step is gonna be VOM’s or maybe open-mic’s at a location where I don’t know anyone in the audience.

Separate, but semi-related, issue- (Please— don’t let this steer this thread away from its original question, though, because it’s a great topic!)- is that I really have trouble standing- (with guitar-strap)- and playing/singing. Sitting is good/ but standing?……… nope. More work on this I guess, but I just can’t seem to get comfortable or have any success at that.

[the-old-coach]

Learn to play the open chords A, E (pretty easy), and D, and C (harder)….. with your middle, ring, and pinkie. This leaves your index finger to barre. It’s not that easy, but will pay you BIG benefits once you have the concept down.

The KEY is that the whole works is then……. moveable …….. all up and down the fretboard. Move your index/barre finger to wherever your desired root-note is/ on whatever string (E, A, or D), or shape, you’re looking for……

[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 1 year ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Yeah, I agree…. why would you want to? (except to have some sort-of “lower-sounding” A— (because of no-hi-E). I’ve always thought if I didn’t want the hi-E, I could just not play the hi-E string.

Big fan of “keepin’ it simple”. Easier/faster.

[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 1 year 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 1 year 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.