[Loraine]

@jstroud1011 welcome back. The benchmark songs will be your daily challenges during a particular week on a quarterly basis. So you won’t be able to find the lessons unless you know the names of the lessons and then find someone that has saved them.

[Loraine]

It was a great answer that was given by @gmhendersonme-com .

First welcome to TAC! When I first started playing, I had never had any experience with the guitar. I felt very out overwhelmed at the beginning, especially once I started the daily challenges however, I was taught early on that Tony teaches progress over perfection. If you practice a minimum of 10 minutes per day. You will get better if you practice a little bit more than that the same as true there is also a point where if you practice too much, you will not improve so it basically is take things in little chunks and they compile and help you to improve in advance in progress on your journey.

Many of the lessons do repeat, and that is so that you have a point of reference to measure your progress. This specifically refers to the quarterly progress lessons to measure exactly that.

I think many join to learn guitar and think that they’ll quickly be able to learn and be able to play their favorite songs. Some people do have a natural talent or have prior experience or have experience with other instruments so they understand a lot of the theory behind playing the guitar. A great example would be someone that was a piano player because the keys on the piano match the keys and scales on a guitar fretboard. However, that isn’t the norm. Guitar is a challenging instrument to learn, but it’s not impossible and if you stick around long enough for the magic to happen where things begin to click and become easier, then you will experience a joy like none other.

[Loraine]

What you are basically asking for is what is covered under the Fretboard Wizard course. It actually teaches you all about the system of the frat board along with the individual notes and what makes up a chord (minimum 3 individual notes make a chord). It teaches the shapes of chords, and Teaches you how to find the same cord up and down the front board with simply the shape of the cord being different as you go up and down it. If you really want to learn about the make up of the fret board, the strings, the chords individual notes that’s the course to take.It talks about The system of scales what they’re made of all the different major and minor scales. It does cost extra but you own the course for lifetime meaning that even if you leave TAC and don’t renew you still own that court and you can come back to the site anytime and you can take it over and over and over and many people take it annually. You only pay for it one time, though.

They have wall charts that you can purchase that give you the main chords and fingering on the strings that is an easy reference to look up at when you’re playing something. I think that it’s important to learn to read the tabs to see the individual notes that make up that chord. That’s what you’re seeing when you see the cluster of notes under the written chord that you’re playing. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the piano. It’s the same exact notes and keys that you play on a piano. But, To understand what those individual notes are, you need to know the individual notes on each string based on what fret you are playing on a particular string.

[Loraine]

Try not to be too disappointed because it will come around again. It is one of the songs that is used for our quarterly check ins so you will come across it again.
One suggestion is if there is something that you particularly. Are interested in learning at a leisurely pace is to check the little heart or favorite icon under the video. Those videos and lessons will then be saved on your profile to get to them. You would check the down arrow next to your name at the top right and just go leave to your profile and then the favorites will be on there and you just click it. You will need to know the names, though of the lessons for a particular week, because they are broken out into the daily foundational skills.<div>Another thing I’d like to point out is that the lessons aren’t really meant to be worked to perfection the philosophy of TAC is progress over perfection, and that basically means that you want to keep moving forward what is suggested is that you work through a lesson one time market as complete. That doesn’t mean that you can’t continue to work on it little longer, but I wouldn’t work on it past that particular day just move on to the next one because what the program is about is progressing and going through certain lessons again on a rotating basis so that you can see how far you’ve advanced. And you will remember the lessons after you’ve taken them because the next time they come around it triggers in your head that you’ve been through the lesson again you’ll be able to see the actual progress and improvements. Some people choose to videotape themselves going through those lessons so that they have something they can compare the next time through it to.</div><div><div>So I hope this helps alleviate some of your angst. The lessons are available for the month that they’re published and then there is the option to go back to the previous month. I think it’s at the top of the daily challenge. It’ll have an arrow or something that goes back to the previous month Isn’t for people to remain that far behind in the lessons.</div></div>

[Loraine]

@Leo7 @martyepp Power chords aren’t formed like regular chords. Watch a rock video or 2 (electric guitarists play mostly power chords). The fingers are more flattened on the fretted strings, because the guitarist is sliding up and down the neck. And you’re only playing the fretted strings, so if using the 2 chord power chords, then just strum those strings. Use your index and ring finger to fret when they’re 2 frets apart.

[Loraine]

Hey Leo. The proper way to play a power chord is he third finger. the 3 finger way taught by Tony. But the stretch is difficult. If you watch a lot of rock stars playing, they are doing power chords up and down the neck with 2 fingers. I had to learn and play the 2 finger version. Take the bottom 2 strings of each chord. See below. I’ve crossed off the 3rd finger.

[Loraine]

For the calluses, I suggest two things. First soften up the calluses after a shower is a great example of when they would be softened or you can soak them in a small bowl of warm water with some dish, soap or some salt, or some what type of vegetable oil or any type of oil. Then, I would use either a nail file or a small piece of sandpaper and rub your finger against the grain. And then with the grain over the calluses don’t do it to wear it, please or causes pain, but do it enough. That it will wear down part of the callus that sticks up.

So the other question I have is, where are your calluses? Are they on the tips of your fingers? Or on your cushions of the fingers. Your calluses should only be on the tips of your fingers. If they’re on the cushions, then you’ll want to revisit proper placement of the tip of fingers for fretting.

So when you do a pull off it is a quick flick on the string. It is not necessarily where you’re holding down the string and then flicking. It is more quickly flicking downward.

I agree pull offs are more challenging than hammer ons. But it gets easier.

[Loraine]

Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with learning on the electric. I agree. Electrics are much easier to play than acoustics.

@jorgemac gave a good explanation on how to execute a hammer on. Make sure that you are hammering straight down on the tips of your fingers. If you are having difficulty with that, push your hand downward and your fingers will automatically curl more. It does require building up strength in your fingers to do louder hammering but it does become easier with time

They’re a great skill to have, so keep practicing.

Don’t shy away from music stores if you dont know how to play yet. The employees at the stores love to help people. You can always ask for a private room or a lesson room that you can go into. If one is not available, don’t let this push you from enjoying yourself. And looking at the guitars and picking at them and playing around with them. It’s okay not to know that much. You can ask the store for some suggestions. They’ll go out of their way to help you.

[Loraine]

Hey SteveBee, there actually are two Fretboard Wizard courses. There is the original one from Tony’s prior website, and then he rewrote the course within the last two years, I believe. It appears that you are pulling up the vintage course, as well as the new course. They’re both available to anyone that has purchased the course.

See the screenshot that shows both of them. The first is the old one, and the second says, new on it, and that is the current one. It can’t hurt to take em both.You’re going to learn similar things.But you might actually pick up something different in each one.

Most people go through the course more than once. Typically, on an annual basis to refresh their memories. Oftentimes people woke comment that every time they go through it, they pick up on something new.

[Loraine]

I’m friggen envious as hell! Have a fantastic time, and enjoy the songs you’ve chosen. Great list. Share experiences and photos, if you’re able to.

[Loraine]

Hi Michael. I hear your frustration. I agree with Pete, go back to the quick start guide. There really isn’t a right or wrong way to work the material in TAC. I did the 30 days, the next 6 chords, and then I took stretching, The 5 days skill course came awhile after I started, but it’s a great intro into he daily challenges and how they’re set up. The daily challenges are an extremely important path, because it teaches all the foundational skills. The Skills courses are a great way to learn specific techniques and add variety. Take whichever you are drawn to.

You are taking advantage of the community by posting your frustration and asking for assistance. That’s the exact place you’ll find the help and guidance you need. Keep asking, but also make sure yo post your small wins too. This encourages others, and it allows us to celebrate with you.

There is a Support button too to reach Victoria at TAC (bottom left)

[Loraine]

Hi Mave! You’ve got this. It’s a journey and it will get easier as you continue on it. The tabs can be daunting at the beginning. As you build up muscle memory in your fingers and string awareness, it will become easier , faster and more fluid. Hammer ons & Pull offs are about precision in how your fingers strike or pull a string. I would focus on that aspect. The tabs come in time.

[Loraine]

Braden, as always, you have a way of boosting my spirits!! Thank you!

[Loraine]

Great perseverance. Just throw in a few practices over time. Once string awareness and muscle memory are built up and second nature, it’ll be a piece of cake. You’ve learned the magic lesson — Progress over Perfection. You’ll be a more chill player and will actually learn faster. Anything in life is better when we allow ourselves to not have to try so hard to be perfect. That just sucks the fun right outta life. Great win!

[Loraine]

Mark, thank you for your kind words. I learned from the many that came before me. We’re a tribe of sorts, and we have to help each other in order for us to grow. You also have that gift. Keep lifting others up and helping as much as you’re able to.