[Skyman]

As one beginner to another, if it wasn’t for TAC, I probably would just keep doing things that were easy for me, and then the progression stagnates. What I like about TAC, is it forces me to try things I would never try. Yeah, I botch most lessons, and can’t get through most of them. Ironically, this is kind of the point. Just keep showing up, and do the best you can for that day. After some time passes, you will start to see the subtle changes, and will start to “get it”. This is a very complex instrument that takes time, patience and dedication. Take the small wins, and try not to get frustrated. This forum is a great place to vent, and there are some amazing people here willing to give advice.

[Skyman]

This is sound advice, as I went down/going down a similar road. First guitar (almost two years ago) was a slightly damaged Yamaha. Picked it up for $80. Then thought I needed something better and bought a nice Recording King RD06. Well come to find out, that one was very difficult to play even though I thought it sounded great. It just did not fit me, and I didn’t understand the subtle differences between guitars. I then picked up a nice little Big Baby Taylor. Nice little full scale guitar, but still kind of a beginner guitar. My guitar disease continued, and I then picked up a Taylor AD17 thinking I wanted a US made solid wood guitar that I could grow with. What I really wanted was the Taylor 314ce. It was just out of the price range I wanted to spend. Every time I played the AD17, no matter how awesome it is, I still thought about the 314ce. It is a bit smaller than the AD17 and fits me better, and is a bit more versatile. Well, Taylor had a Taylor Days promotion, and I just ordered a 314ce, and get a Mahogany GS Mini for $199. I could have saved so much money if I just got the one I had always wanted anyway. Now I have a Recording King RD06, and a Taylor AD17 I need to part with.

[Skyman]

Possibly going the wrong way. I turned mine backwards to get to the D tune.

[Skyman]

I can feel your pain, and was in a similar spot a few weeks ago. I’ve been on TAC about 6 months now. Been playing for almost two years. I am disappointed in the progress I have made in the past two years, and thought I would be so much better by now, and probably set some unreasonable expectations. That said, I’ve started to put a lot less pressure on myself, and realize the guitar is a very complicated instrument that no one really ever masters. I’m concentrating on the “small wins” and try not to get caught up on the destination. I will tell you, if you show up everyday and give it your best, you will see some improvements with this course. This is different from other online courses for sure. This is meant to teach you guitar, and how to improvise. The other online courses I have seen are mostly based on teaching songs. I feel you get limited when just learning songs, and don’t get the tools to just sit down and play. That is my main goal. Just to be able to sit down and play. Don’t get me wrong though, I do practice a number of songs, and continue to learn songs. I just get something “different” here. And you can’t beat the amazing people here willing to offer help and suggestions. Enjoy your journey, and I do hope you start to find some value here.

[Skyman]

The GS Mini is a neat little guitar. I’m not familiar with the plug for that model? Regardless, I don’t think there is anything to be concerned about. Taylor makes a fine guitar and stands behind their product if you run into any issues. I’m thinking about picking up a 314CE and getting the GS Mini for $199 during the Taylor Days promotion.

[Skyman]

I’m fairly short (5ft 8in) and played a lot of competitive volleyball. The opposing teams were always surprised when this short little guy got up above the net for a block or a spike. My friends and teammates came up with the name 40 years ago and it has stuck ever since. Most people think I’m a pilot. 🙄

[Skyman]

Ditto what @MoochasPoochas said. This has helped tremendously.

[Skyman]

@slickrick, no, you should not be “mastering” each lesson before moving on to the next. Spend at least 10 minutes (or as long as you want really) and move on to the next. I know it sounds counter intuitive, however spending too much time on a lesson may actually slows your progress. Move on to other lessons, skills courses, etc., and then come back to them after a while. Variety is the key. You will be amazed at the progress you have made without realizing it.

[Skyman]

@Eric B, good advice here. In July, it will be two years since I purchased my first guitar and started trying to learn from some youtube videos. I was a bit arrogant and figured in a year or so, I would be belting out some fun campfire songs and be fairly proficient. Well, after a year and a half struggling with the guitar, and how slow my progress was going, I could see it was going to be many years if I stayed on this path. I joined TAC in December 2021, and also enrolled in some in person lessons. I’ve come further in six months than I did the first year and a half. I have had to develop my personal guitar practice plan, and TAC has given me the tools to create this. Also, having members at the ready, willing to offer advice, makes this even more special. Keep up the chord changing practice, and start adding more chords once you start getting better at the ones you are practicing. There are a lot of songs you can learn with just the C, D and G chords.

One thing that really helped me a lot when first learning chords, is to make the chord shape pressing the strings, and then take them off and just “hover” your fingers above the strings for 30 to 60 seconds. Then, once you get more proficient, just hover your fingers without pressing the strings. This will build muscle memory, and with practice you will be able to make the shape before even fretting a string. I cannot believe the difference this made for me in my speed in changing chords. I keep a record, and in just 4 months I went from 15 BPM to 40 BPM for most chords.

Keep coming back, and spend at least 10 minutes a day with the TAC routine, and progress will come.

[Skyman]

Have you already been through the 30 days to play, 5 day guitar routine, etc.? Best advice is to go through those. That will build a foundation for the daily challenges. There are also a bunch of very useful skill courses to work on as well.

[Skyman]

@Felcia S, glad you posted. Just keep it up and enjoy the times you can play. I started at almost 60 years old and have some similar goals. I do get down and unmotivated thinking I will never “get it”. Sometimes just coming here and reading the advice of the TAC family helps keep me motivated and going. So many positive folks here.

[Skyman]

@philly14, I actually go back and redo some of the skills courses I have taken. Similar to the daily challenges, I only spend 10 to 30 minutes on each lesson and then move on to the next. Trying to perfect each lesson is not the goal. When I go back to a skills course I have competed, it seems so much easier the second, third or fourth time, and I can actually see the progress in my skills. You are right about having so much content available it can be a bit overwhelming. I hope this helps.

[Skyman]

@Cadgirl, yes, that is the one. I can’t wait to see it.

[Skyman]

The GS Mini is a fun little guitar, and so much more guitar than I thought it would be. I’m blown away by this little thing. I just want to keep picking it up and playing. The 314ce is actually not in my possession yet. They actually ordered a 314ce LTD Quilted Sapele Edgeburst instead of the standard 314ce. It is $800 more, and I’m going to make the final decision on the 314’s when they both arrive. They have both models coming in. Knowing me, I’ll end up getting the more expensive one. I think I have a problem. Is there a guitars anonymous forum out there? 😆

[Skyman]

Please post pictures. I can’t wait to see it. Don’t worry about disappointing your new guitar. You will both grow together as you play. That guitar is the cat’s meow.