musicrme
Forum Replies Created
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And I would add to what Loraine so excellently said: These are YOUR lessons. There are no “shoulds,” no time line you have to measure up to. This is your experience and your progress, right? My guess is if every TAC student described how we apply TAC to our guitar playing that works for us, each would have a different answer. Make the program work for you, in your life, the way it fits – your way. The change will happen, but like learning anything new, it takes time. You’re doing it! Just take it chunk by tiny chunk from what you CAN do, then build from there (and check out the skills courses. I found some of it easier, to me, anyway – whatever works). As an encouragement, I started about 5 weeks ago, (or is it 6). I was not physically capable of doing the intro power chord, or producing the first licks. Loraine directed me to the stretching exercises in the skills courses. I continued working out the bugs (such as experimenting with elbow placement, which changed the position of my fretting hand and fingers) as I learned more about playing, and with the addition of the physical exercises, I eventually became able to stretch my fingers into every fret asked of me in the 30-days-To-Play. Today, I am doing it and preparing to move out into new things, fairly soon. But I had to stretch and practice, discovering and making adjustments as I went. For my schedule, I stuck to the 10 minutes per practice, which took the mental pressure off. Then I started doing 10 minutes, twice a day – once first thing in the morning, then before bed. It was amazing how fast each session went, but even more incredible the progress that could be made in those one or two little bouts of time. Another help was to read previous comments in the forum. So many people had things already posted that helped out, a lot. The more I exposed myself to all-things-guitar (like listening to guitar music, messaging a few people through TAC, reading the forums, re-watching video for what I was working on, or aspiring to begin), the more motivated I became to do my little 10 minute practices to move forward. So, hang in there! Take it in baby-steps, when and where you can. The TAC police are not coming to check your progress, I promise. You’ll see change, over time.
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This is a little off the beaten path, but some performers send their
instruments with insurance through a shipping company rather than
trusting the airlines. I haven’t done it, but knew someone who did. -
I am concluding my first TAC month and found the skills courses to be a great place to be, as well. Check it out!
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Hey! I thought I’d jump in. I just finished my first TAC month and I agree that supplementing with TAC has been the way to go, for me. Since names have been mentioned, I adore justinguitars.com (also on You Tube) for a graded, methodical approach that truly is designed for beginning beginners and beyond. I am a little ahead in that I play basic chords, so I am going through Justin’s site to find my starting point, then I am going to combine TAC with Justin, along with Lauren Bateman, also on You Tube. Between the three of them, I feel like I am in good hands without having to spend more money or die of frustration. For me, I am not having fun if I can’t do it, so the supplemental instruction is helping to make the fun happen. Tony inspires me to stay in the game, since I can see what he is doing and the approach is attractive — motivating. He kind of give me vision and things to work on that stretch my aspirations and abilities. The skills courses have also been helpful. For me, it’s kind of a matter of sorting it all out with the addition of supplemental learning, which has made all the difference in the world. Just thought I’d share, in case it helps . . .
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Hi! In case you still need this, I am new to TAC and it took me a while to figure this out, too. Go to week 4: “Follow These Steps To Your First Guitar Solo” and look under the video to locate “learn,” “scale,” and “backing track.” If you click backing track, the accompaniment will begin to play. Below that will be the “heart” emoji. Click that if you want to save it as a “favorite” that will remain available to you, down the road. (I am learning to make everything a favorite, basically, because the forum has taught me that weekly challenges will eventually disappear. Creating favorites allows continual access to the monthly/weekly lessons. It also looks like the backing track can be downloaded (next to the heart), though I haven’t tried it. As for the other download, the TAC program won’t let me have 2 pages open at the same time. I’ll go over and try it, then get back to you with what I find. Another thing I discovered is sometimes there is another video beneath the linked video. I discovered that during the lessons introduced the first chords. Scroll down, and there’s a surprise! Let me check on the download . . .
Okay, the backing track “download” is an audio file, on my Mac. I do not see a way to download it from inside the TAC program. I am wondering if you could do it through your browser (or do an audio recording onto your phone or computer?). The other is a downloadable TAB sheet that works for me. Also, if you look below the word “Forum” under “Resources” on the far left column, you’ll find “Downloads” including the “Quick Start Guide” and the “Guitar Journal.” Are these the downloads you are looking for? They worked for me. I can’t remember if there are downloads available inside 30 Days to Play, so it might be one of these. Welcome to TAC! I hope you are finding your way around. Getting started has a rough learning curve, but I hope you’re settling in.
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In case you still need this, I thought I would reply.
You could try a simplified G chord. A teacher taught me to put the second finger (middle finger) on the A string, second fret, the third finger (ring finger) on the low E string, third fret, and the fourth finger (pinky finger) on the high E string, third fret. If that is still too much, you could omit the fourth finger (pinky) and not strum the high E until your fingers get stronger. Add it down the road, and the full G chord when you are ready. Then you can start having some fun!
Hope it helps!
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Yeah . . . it couldn’t hurt. Like with my “sprained” hand that was
going up my arm. Doing the same thing wasn’t going to help. I had to try
something different; I just didn’t know what. It’s tough to have a
chronic condition. I have one myself. But getting a work-around can
sometimes bridge moving into a new way of getting things done. I look
forward to receiving an update, good or not as good. I’m pulling for
you! -
Hello!
I am new to TAC (first week), but not new to making music. I do not know what you have accomplished, but I’ll share something, just in case it is helpful. If not, please disregard.
I know how important music is, especially while creating your own on an instrument you love, have invested time, money, and heart into, and want to continue playing. I have a couple thoughts . . .
I am not proficient at guitar – average, self-taught – but I do teach piano, so I’ll offer a tip that might help (if what you are experiencing is not neurological). There are so many things to manage while playing an instrument, so being able to isolate one thing can make a difference. So, say for instance, if a piano student is tightening into an unhealthy hand posture during a particular passage, I take them off the keys, lower the lid over the keyboard (the fall board), take them through a couple relaxation exercises (posture check, Heavy Ropes, meaning let the arms fully fall from the shoulders like heavy weights, shake them out, then bend at an imaginary hinge installed in the elbow as they float onto the keys to continue feeling the same relaxation while playing). Then, instead of having them play the tension-building music/exercise on the keyboard, I have them play it on the fall board where we focus on looking at the hand, the fingers, and keeping that light, floating feeling in the arm as they play the piece on the top of the wood. When they are ready, we open the fall board, check their posture, re-do Heavy Ropes, float their hands to the keys by bending at the imaginary elbow-hinge, then work to keep their hands inside the same relaxation as they rest their fingers on the instrument. Then, as they keep their body feeling the same as when they played on the fall board, they begin to engage with the keys.
How does this transfer to guitar strumming? I’ll share a couple ideas that might help, or inspire new concepts from there:
· Remove the guitar from your lap to try something similar.
· Install an imaginary string to the top of your head that pulls your posture upward, as everything else relaxes (similar to what Tony says). If you are able, another way to check posture is by taking a few seconds to stand on your toes. It is difficult to have poor posture when standing or walking this way. If your posture is off, losing balance from a brief toe-check will tell you your posture needs a quick adjustment. (Ever notice toddlers when they first learn to walk? They balance themselves by walking on their toes. It automatically creates perfect posture). If you are able to stay on your toes, memorize the feeling. Keep the string pulling upward from the top of the head. When you sit back down, bend from the waist, but keep everything above the belt line feeling the same. Memorize the feeling and recheck as often as needed.
· While maintaining your posture, do the heavy ropes exercise by letting your arms hang heavily from your shoulders as the imaginary string at your head continues to hold your spine upward while your arms relax comfortably, falling heavily at your sides. No tension.
· Without the guitar, quietly bend your arm at the imaginary hinge installed in your elbow as you float your forearm into position, then lightly begin air strumming without a pick, as if you are strumming the guitar, much like my students do while playing on the fall board. This allows you to focus on your body rather than the instrument.
· Is your elbow relaxed? Your forearm? Shoulders? Is your hand relaxed from your wrist? Let it fall naturally, feeling limp. Is your body flicking your hand outward, or can you lightly strum the air? Try different types of strumming you have practiced. Create a body memory for each strum. Is air strumming working? Is your arm and hand remaining relaxed?
· When you are ready, replicate that motion over the guitar – but do not strum the strings, yet. Feel the sensation of moving a relaxed hand as you air strum in front of the strings. Memorize the feeling. Create the formation of new sensory muscle memory. Breathe . . . Relax . . . No stress . . . No fear . . . Let it feel safe.
· When you are ready, begin lightly strumming – no pick. Maintain the same air motion, the same relaxation, the same floating as your forearm hangs loose and continues moving with the aid of the pivot point of that elbow hinge. Keep it light. Don’t focus on sound or playing every string. Focus on the feeling. Check your posture, the upward tug of the head string, the motion in your hand. Is it flicking outward, now?
· If that is comfortable and seems successful, try adding the pick. You could begin the same way. Check your posture before beginning to air pick away from the guitar without a tight grip. Keep it loose and easy. Go through the steps to eventually add the guitar and bringing your pick to the strings. Focus on the feeling of relaxation and lightly draping your hand from a relaxed wrist, as much as you can. Ignore the sound, this is about establishing a new sensation to your playing, a new way of being. Then take it by steps while trying to isolate the root of the problem. Is it posture, the way you hold the guitar (some say holding it so the neck of the guitar is pointing more upward compared to parallel to the ground can take stress off the fret hand, or purchasing a little foldable guitar foot stand could help keep it high enough while playing without needing to anchor the heal on the edge of a chair, et al, while maintaining more relaxation in the body). Are you unconsciously squeezing the pick, playing too loudly that could generate more tension, holding overall generalized tension in the body? Are you breathing? In through the nose, out through the mouth? (I use these techniques for my own tendency of holding tension in my body. Sometimes it takes mindful mind-over-matter to make changes that may be drastic, or subtle, depending on the need. Tension can be unlearned, but it often requires uncomfortable change – but worth it.)
· If part of the problem comes from gripping the pick too tightly, you could try a Fender Mojo Grip pick (shape 351) which works well for me (they come in white or brown). It has a black rubber-type holder that fits over the top of the pick adding bulk and removing my need for a vice-type grip when I am picking. It changed everything. The rubber material is tacky, so it kind of sticks to my fingers, removing the concern of dropping it when I play. The pick can also be removed from the rubber holder to change it out to a different pick you might already have on hand. I purchased their medium pick, over the light. Light picks can take a little extra effort and motion to strum compared to the medium. But it’s all personal preference. The sales person at my local music store talked me into the medium, and I had my doubts, but he was right. I have more control over what I am doing with less effort. They come in packs of 3, and I love them.
I hope it helps!
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This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by musicrme.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
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Thank you! Yes, after reading other suggestions, I learned about the
stretching TAC class and went right over to locate it to get started. I
stopped playing for a several days to let my arm recover before
proceeding. It was strange because I easily play full basic guitar
chords and have never had this problem (C, G, E, A, D, F, the minors,
etc., though I don’t bar – something I need to learn. I am also a piano
teacher, which involves stretching fingers to reach extended chords on
the keyboard. However, the wrist is positioned comfortably over the keys
and not reaching from behind, like guitar). I don’t know what it is
that is tripping me up while trying to gain these first TAC video
skills, but I’d like to develop this ability. In the big picture, I
decided to slow down, per recommendation, and located a You Tube
instructor another TAC student mentioned that seems to lead her
students, step by step, into these exercises. From there, I am slowly
working into expanding my ability into what Tony is presenting. The
stretches are helpful, I am having fewer problems, and I am only playing
TAC’s first videos for about 5 minutes at a time, several times a day,
rather than sitting down for longer sessions (as a musician who plays
multiple instruments, it is easy to play a couple hours without a second
thought, so this experience was kind of unexpected – not that I played
the TAC exercises for that time. I was getting about 10 – 15 minutes
before I had to stop). My biggest concern I learned from forum comments
was that Tony’s videos will disappear in 30 days. If I am taking it
slower, then that means I will potentially miss out on content, which
makes me bummed. I wanted continued access to the current content for
later, as I go through this slow-start process. But my health comes
first. I guess it is what it is. I thank you for your concern, sharing
your story, and passing on sage advice. I appreciate it. And thank you
to the others who nudged me into discovering a different direction. It really helped. -
Thank you so much! This is day two, so I am going to track down those
stretches! Thanks for the encouragement from both of you. I will be wise
about it, practice in short spurts, and check supplemental instruction
to help figure out hand position (if it’s possible). Great advise! -
I’m going to do that! Thanks!