[the-old-coach]

Loved it! You played and sang it like you’ve done it many times– very “comfortable” with it. I’m a Neil Young fan in general… but really only a few of his songs, not all. And this song is one of them. Thanks for sharing– well done!

[the-old-coach]

hob–

When you start-out in TAC, I think it all depends on “where you are” when you start. Example– You said you completed the “30-Days” in 5 days. I know others have taken more than the 30-days. Some have played for years— others are true newbies. Some used to play a lot– but haven’t picked up a guitar in 20 years. Some are good on theory— others just wanna play.

What you “do” in TAC, and how and when and in whatever order, seems to be based on 1- what skills you already have, 2- what direction you naturally gravitate to, and 3- where you want to go in your own journey.

[the-old-coach]

That is no “small-win”…. That is a HUGE win.

[the-old-coach]

I’ve heard some people in here say that- “when you are learning something- try to stay right on the edge, or just beyond your ability”.

Also…. there is a huge difference between “learning” and “practicing”, and it’s important to know which you are doing.

Practicing is just the repetition of something you have already learned.

You can only improve on something if you have first learned it. In TAC, you are learning new things. The improvement on those things is on you– and only by repetition.

A person’s “total guitar improvement” is a balance between the two.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

AK413–

If you are trying to tune your high-E string UP to the D- (just short of a full octave HIGHER… (tighter)… than its normal “hi-E” tension, it’s goodnight Charlie for that string every single time.

Like Jeff and others say– what you are shooting for is to tune that hi-E string DOWN to the D. (making it LESS tight/ loosening/ “unwinding” it).

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Thanks for responding!

Yeah, I’m not sure they actually changed their policy.

Bright side is—- I am glad for you that you went ahead and got the lifetime and also the Fretboard Wizard! (I did get the FretWiz, too— and loved it !).

So, in my response to you— I am really hoping “THEY” read it also!

I just didn’t have the cash at the time……. so I just kept going, paying the “yearly” amount- for three years. Right at the end of the third year, I inquired about upgrading to a lifetime membership- (seems like it was~$500). Since I had already paid 3 yearly amounts- (seems like ~$200/year)- I simply asked **IF** there was any way they would “apply” some of that $600- (plus the ~$150 for FretWiz)- already spent TOWARDS my upgrading to a “lifetime” membership.

I didn’t think what I was asking was unreasonable. But, they said- (like your situation, I think)- they offered to allow THAT-year’s ~$200 toward the $500 lifetime price.

So, that was enough to make me walk away, sadly disappointed. I realize they owe me nothing– but it just felt like a “hard no”. As I said, it seems/seemed there should be just **some** credit that showed they appreciated me as a loyal TAC member for 3 years, inc. FretWiz, and an active, always-positive contributor to the Forum.

If we could, let’s put this into world of say, owning a car. Imagine I buy a brand new car from, say, Ford. To compare this to my TAC situation, let’s say I want to trade it in for **another** brand new car, after only three years. But instead of giving me a decent trade-in credit towards a new one, they staunchly say they will give me **zero** for it. That alone would make the difference in me staying-on with Ford, right?– or in my case—- staying on with TAC.

Bigger than that— I wondered just HOW MANY OTHERS would buy the lifetime after the usual 2-3 years, but instead……. quit. To that end, and in that case, TAC just walks away from having many/ MANY more members that want to give them money to get the lifetime membership…… And why would they not want that?….

Well….. that 3-year-old car has value. Like being a loyal Ford owner, let’s say, it seems there’s a value in there for TAC to KEEP their members “on”- (the lifetime buy-in money….. the merchandising/ T-shirts, mugs, other….. the sales of the FretWiz to any who hadn’t already purchased it, etc, etc).

To me, this is a huge opportunity…. lost. And a LOT of members…. just…. gone. A lot of names and help and advice here in the Forum….. just…. gone.

It doesn’t make sense.

But….. it is their choice.

THAT is why I hope they are reading this also! And if they simply changed their mind on this ONE thing– I believe there may be many, new/”old” members coming back. And maybe quickly.

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Sorry to all. I did not mean for my previous, rambling post about lifetime membership, to in any way steer this thread away from its original– and important– thought. The feeling of being “Lost and Overwhelmed” when they first enter TAC-world, is quite common, I think.

Please accept my apologies, and let’s keep on helping those of us who have been thru the confusing start when joining TAC.

[the-old-coach]

Hello–

I was in TAC for 3 years, thoroughly enjoyed it, learned a LOT, had lots of fun, and “met” some GREAT folks, indeed!

I would have SURELY converted to a life-membership if there would’ve been some way they would’ve allowed me some financial credit toward that, for the years I was “in”- (total bummer….. but that’s a different story……).

What I realized early-on is that TAC isn’t about teaching you A song- (like many 1:1 instructors, and many YouTube videos do). It’s fast and quickly satisfying, right? I can play a SONG!!!!!

IMHO– TAC’s method is to teach you how to play ANY song.

Being more “spread-out”, you can see how that would certainly take more time……. TAC teaches us thru a much more broad-based method. The “lightbulb moments” come— but slower……. but you REMEMBER them better.

I had a great friend who put months and months— and a LOT of money into 1:1 private lessons. When I asked how he was doing with all of that, he whipped-out his guitar and played a song. I don’t even remember what song it was– but it was pretty good! But when I asked him to show me more…….. he said….. “that’s all I know for now”…..

It was good, but that was likely a thousand-dollar song right there…… that took maybe half a YEAR to learn………. wow……….

Ya gotta be patient with yourself here in TAC-world.

But– the results are DEFINITELY worth it!

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

J-V—–

It’s hardest and most confusing at the very start, because everyone “starts” at a different level- (in TAC).

That said, there is no “one size fits all”. Realize this……. picture that there are 2 new members to TAC– one is just absolutely starting out from ground zero, and another with years and years of playing experience……… yet they “start” with the same “30 Days to Play”, Daily Challenges, etc.

There isn’t a “newbie” course and a “experienced-starting-player” course…… At the start– we all “play by the same rules”— with the same curriculum.

Don’t be discouraged! Expect it to be tough…… want it to be tough…… Without those two things– what’s the point. That “quiet pride” that you know how to play guitar is worth it.

Enough said. Isn’t that why we’re all here?

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Mr Fred, you crack me up!

[the-old-coach]

dbv—

You have made a GREAT post here! How true, how true. My favorite line is “Take what you can and leave the rest”.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

I am FAR from being any kind-of expert on this, but in my opinion, IF there was one thing I think TAC could do different- (to help “new” players– especially at “the start”)- is to have different “levels” on which to start. They could start at the one that gets them going easiest, rather than just lumping every new member- (regardless of their ability)- all into one format/curriculum. A Daily Challenge that is too EASY for an advanced player is just as bad as a DIFFICULT Challenge for a beginning player. Neither one advances the player’s abilities so many think they may be just a waste of time.

My dumb advice— 1. stick with it, 2. don’t compare yourself to “where you think you should be”, 3, remember that it’s the journey, not the destination, that’s important, 4. be patient with yourself, and 5. focus on FUN.

[the-old-coach]

Yeah– it soooooo great to hear from you, too! I still cruise in & out of the TAC forum here every other day or so- (apparently I can still get “in here” even though I let my membership go earlier this year (Jan). It is great that you are back in full swing– still helping others– as you always have been!

As far as this string-breaking-thread- (and IF I understood it correctly)- I hope you don’t think that it may have been ME who was trying to tune the hi-E string to a D—- by going UP—- because that is gonna be string-break every time.

It sounded they may have been trying to tune UP to the next D, WAAAAAY tighter/higher pitch—– rather than by going DOWN to the D- (2 notes lower).

Anyway— It is great to hear from you….. You will always have a soft spot in my heart for all you’ve done to help me along the journey- (and many others, too).

(Always)– yer-old-pal—

mark- (theoldcoach)

[the-old-coach]

Skyman911– In my opinion, you have nailed with your post. I had always heard that TAC’s method is NOT to teach you a song…… but to slowly build your all-around skills and knowledge…… to the point where you can play (almost) ANY song. There is a HUGE difference between the two. But it takes patience….. and perseverance….. and time.

[the-old-coach]

ENVH–

This is such a COOL response and post you have made here! Perfectly right on the money!

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  the-old-coach.