[Loraine]

Hi JJC, yes all the lessons repeat about every 8-9 months or so. I is so you can compare progress over time to see improvement. If you and others are looking for newer content, reach out to Victoria in customer service and make the recommendation. The more that do, the better the chance for new material. Although, the material will actually be the same, because they are all foundational skills.

[Loraine]

This was beautifully done. I find it amazing that artists can tape themselves separately and then have it come together in something like Garage Band. Well done to all who participated!

[Loraine]

Bayvu, what you are experiencing is perfectly normal and expected. TAC teaches foundational skills that you need to take into the world and apply in order to make music. I think most of us get to a point where we’re looking at other programs of ways of taking those skills to and learning even more. Good on you for recognizing the need.

[Loraine]

That’s awesome that you’re staying the course and finding that they’re getting easier. That is the whole purpose of the quarterly check ins to reflect on how you’ve improved and to develop goals for the next quarter. Great job!

[Loraine]

Ah, the dreaded barre chords! Everyone has difficulty with them at first, and sometimes they never master them. Musicians of all levels prefer to avoid them, because they have some of the same issues. I personally took a liking to them early on, and I enjoyed the challenge of trying to play clear chords. It just takes time and practice. As your fingers get stronger, and as you evenutually find the sweet spot, they get easier. I too found a song with a long of F chords in it (Willie Nelson’s 7 Spanish Angels) and played it a lot .

Don’t beat yourself up over it though. It’s a process. Don’t avoid playing barre chords, just be persistent and patient as you learn them.

[Loraine]

Welcome to TAC. Thanks for your first post.

With the dailies, there is no real starting point. Jump in any day you can. The trick is to not push for perfection. It’s all about progressing forward in your journey. Yes, the Daily Challenges are just that…challenges. If things were easy, we wouldn’t advance in our skiills. Just give it a true effort, and keep moving forward.

Practice for the minimum 10 minutes and mark the lesson complete. You can keep practicing, but remember to just go to the next day when it pops up. All the lessons repeat, on purpose, so you can see your progress. Quarterly, there are check ins. You can reflect back on the 3 months, de3velope goals for the next 3 monts.

You’ve got this. Just keep asking questions. The main goal, is to have fun. It’s a journey to learn the guitar.

[Loraine]

Oh no! What happened. I’m very sorry you’re going through this. Trust me, I’ve broken both wrists in the past 2 years. The down time is painful, in my opinion. Stay connected as best you can. Respond to others posts, watch videos, etc.

[Loraine]

Hey Zuri,, when I spend too much time online, my fingerpads grow numb and bothersome. If I stop for a day or two it gets better. We have nerves running all over our body, and it’s possible you have a larger nerve in the way when playing. If you feel the numbness mainly the pads of the fingers, it may be that you need to focus more on the tips of the fingers. I agree with Barbara, you need to have calluses on our fingertips, but even that can impede on a nerve. A neurologist might be able to help.

I’ve had lots of luck with Acupuncture, and she often suggests ways for me to correct my grip or use of limbs, etc. I’m not a doctor though.

[Loraine]

Seeing progress is what keeps us moving forward – 🙂

[Loraine]

That is so cool that you did that. It’s exactly what Tony talks about during improv lessons. I really need to do that more. I’ve never done well with this, and I need to just grab a guitar and mindlessly play like that. My problem is that I don’t watch t.v., so I would have to use a backing track on YouTube or Google.

[Loraine]

You’re so funny Braden. Thank you for having some fun with me on this one!

[Loraine]

Thanks Braden! I hope all is going well for you. 🙂

[Loraine]

Very true Albert. I decided a long time ago to post the good, the bad, and the ugly. It has been one of the best tools to get better at playing and performing. It definitely helps one grow as a musician.

[Loraine]

Thank you Phil

[Loraine]

Wow, that’s considered one of the most difficult surgeries to recover from. I give you credit. I felt like it took me a year to recover from it (mine was completely shredded).