Did I fail as a musician? 

Tomo, Guitar wisdom student here. I have been playing for 40 years and trying to discipline myself to keep improving and learn more theory. I have returned to watch many of your older videos. You are more than a teacher - you are a sage motivational speaker. You have nourished my thinking about progress, success and utility of improving at this point. Thank you so much!

"Don’t Worry, Don’t Compare, Don’t Expect Too Fast, Be Kind to Yourself." That’s what you taught me as a musician, Tomo. . .

"Not about numbers, not about the fame. Just make sure to have great quality of life." Such wisdom here. Thank you!

Not only you didn’t fail as a musicien but you also did not fail as a human being… and that is very special. Your share both of these mastery In a kind, fun and very meaningful way. I am touch by the human you are. I and also others i am sure, are deeply grateful 🙏

Anyone who taught John Mayer guitar cannot be a failed musician by default.

Guitar wisdom is a great success not everyone can go to Berklee, I have always wanted to go deeper into music theory and now I'm on my way to a good foundation. You obviously retain and share knowledge at a level very few people can. If success is a hit song you still have plenty of time to do that. Steve vai and Joe satrani are making arguably their best music now along with other legends fill in the blank. Anyways thanks for you lessons and whatever success means to you I hope you achieve it. 😀

Tomo, you are one of many players that have inspired me to continue playing guitar over the years. Learning to play guitar has given me a connection to music that helps me feel better on the worst of days. This incredible gift is in part a result of your teachings. The number of people you have positively impacted with your teachings leads me to believe that you have not only succeeded as a musician, but as a person. Thank you for sharing your love and knowledge of music the world.

Failing is a part of life, it happens to all of us. Music is never a competition with anyone else, but a way to unite. There's always room for growth! Thank you for this Tomo!

You say more valuable things with your “Broken English” than most native speakers ! Plus - the quality of your love for family - underlies your passion for excellence ! Many blessings to you brother Tomo !🤲

Hi Tomo, not sure if you will ever read this. I took private lessons from you way back when you were at Berklee. I learned so much from you. I actually got pretty decent with your teaching. I joined a band, and played out regularly in the Boston area for several years. The band never got very popular and we disbanded. In retrospect, our sound/style just did not stand out even though I thought we were decently talented. I hope you realize that your influence as a great music teacher has a ripple effect that you may never see. Your students benefit, and your student's audiences benefit from your guitar wisdom and inspiration. I still benefit from what I learned from you as I continue to play my guitar often to an audience of just myself or some friends. Never underestimate the impact you have in the music world. You are a success in my view.

Hello i started guitare 2 years ago with a great teacher live. And since few weeks i discovered YOU. thank 's so much to youtube !! Lucky me it is gold

You can never fail, you have elevated people all over the world! You are a great human/instructor/mentor

Brother Tomo…do you realize the lives and friends you have touched through music. Music should never be a competition but a journey. Your light and spirit is Beautiful❣️❣️❣️

We are so lucky to have so many guitar teachers on RU-vid. I always come to Tomo Fujita for the Zen of being a guitar player.

" if you keep walking you' ll get there...." that' s the best advice ever. Cheers from Portugal!!

Great lesson:: When one door closes, aNew Door Opens. Great wisdom! And Wow. Pure..Steve Gadd, Bernard Perdie, Steve Jordan, Will Lee - All-Star lineup! Must've been in Heaven!

I'm a little late to the party.. These talks that you put out I find very inspiring. Thank you

Tomo you will always be great! as a musician as a friend and as a teacher.

Thank you Tomo, not just for this video, but all the videos on yt and IG. Talk about going on, like when someone is feeling uninspired or anything like that

You already made big impact in music scene, you didn't failed. Your story inspired me to do more with my life after a very bad retrenchment. Since I've learn triad from your video, my guitar playing improved tremendously that my friends noticed my playing has evolved from the last time they saw me playing and I'm still learning more and more. Thank you, Sensei Tomo. We all benefiting from your videos here.

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, AND EXCELLENT ... YOU'RE LIFE EXPERIENCE AND WHAT YOU SPEAK IS SO INSPIRATIONAL ... NOT ONLY DO YOU TEACH STUDENTS, AND PLAY GREAT GUITAR ! YOU KNOW WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU (IN MUSIC & LIFE) AND YOU INSPIRE MUSICIANS, ALL LEVELS, TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD ... WHAT DOES NOT COME TODAY ... WILL COME ONE DAY! GREAT MESSAGE TOMO! ARIGATO!

Thank you so much Maestro! Even in the darkest hour,you are able to motivate me and many others like me.

Yes, dear Tomo.... there ARE Excellent Teachers with the skills to PLAY Too. ...That's why you're my teacher.

Mr.Fujita, I want to say HUGE thank you, because your story really helped me to feel a little better. You're great musician and a teacher in my opinion, I watched so much of your videos. My story is simple: I've started a little late, at 26 and the first instrument was drum kit, after that I focused on piano and played a lot of really magnificient classical pieces (I am still in love with classical music), but at age of 28 I found my real passion - guitar. It have SO MUCH in it. I was so obsessed with music so I left my job, and was studing whole days, that was awesome time :) Ofcourse there was a lot of difficulties, like I always lack on money and walked to my friend's place to eat (I had a little part-time jobs, but nothing serious). I had no girlfriend but I didn't wanted any relationships. All I ever wanted is to continue studing music, write songs and compose music, getting better in every ways and dont ever be in need of money for ordinary things (for simple living) I love to see people dancing, or feeling something, its some sort of magic, when you standing there and doing your job and people are feeling great, they're dancing or thinking and smiling, its the highest reward in my opinion. But it never happend, reality is tough thing :) From time to time I got some part-time job to survive, pay the bills and well, things are not changing at all. So I am at same place now but knowing a little more in music (but still so much left to learn). From time to time all this makes me feel really bad, overwhelming, like I have to deal with it somehow, find a job and forget about things that brings me joy and makes me feel happy, just because I really tired living like this. I've tried to combine job and music and I simply can't, because all my thoughts are filled with music, so in that case I'm bad worker, so the real way for me is forget about music for a while and make enough money to continue, but I'm so anxious about that, I mean what will happend when I stop? But after your story I think that its life, everything happend. I should do whatever it takes to survive. If music is my path, then I'll return, if not - then its not :) I never ever told that to anyone, thats my personal drama, but when I decided to write about it...somehow I feel better:) Double thank you mr. Fujita, I hope my path is not yet finished and I will continue this magical adventure :) I wish you all the best! You're LEGENDARY!

Of course you didn’t fail. I can’t help but remember you posted a photo one time showing your fingers after a long day of practicing your rhythm playing. And you captioned “I want to be the best rhythm guitar player!” And I was thinking bro… you ARE the best rhythm guitar player!! It was So inspiring to see someone at your level still just having the same mindset that any of us guitar players have which is to get better! Very inspiring. Much love and respect!

Hey Tomo...love these conversations :) I laughed in appreciation when at the end you said, "I think I failed because I did'n't keep this message to 10 min...what do you think?" Ha!! There is a thought provoking statement, of which the origin is debated, that conveys the struggle we all face. The story goes - when one was asked how they prepared to speak on a topic in public, the replay was... “It depends. If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now.” I think I too failed with too many words :) Keep shining!!

Express yourself Tomo. That is your gift to the world. Whether it’s on your guitar or with words, your heart and mind comes through loud and clear and we are better for it.

Someone that has as much influence and inspires as much people as you cannot fail

You are an inspiration Tomo! Thank you for being who you are, you are a role model for all guitar players and people

Tomo you inspired thousands of guitar learners, you are a true legend !!!

never learned from u at berklee but your youtube videos help me so much as a young guitarist im 16 and have been playing about 7 months your channel has taught me more theory and given the best advice then anyone else has, keep teaching tomo your helping future virtuosos more than u may realize, much love tomo :)

tomo you defintely did not fail as a musician.you are a complete success story.your videos have helped so many people

Your mother must have done a strong prayer 😀Making parents, especially mothers happy, is priceless. I believe you picked the right choice.

If you live so completely in the art of music as you do, you are making the art of music live… Thank you Tomo!

Hello Tomo, I have been practicing and loving the guitar. At first had doubts about the content that I am producing as a passionate person focusing on art. Your video reminded that indeed, if theres love in what you do, you already "winning at life". Thanks for sharing, may rock for ever more my friend

Glad I just found this video. Lots of wisdom you have Tomo. Insightful. You inspire everyday in your videos and listening to your beautiful guitar playing Life’s a journey. Thanks for sharing!

🫀🙏🏾🌊 thank you maestro, professor fujita, for conveying your kind and modest example.

Hi Tomo! When I watch your youtube or instagram, you always look so happy. I think you are not a fail musician. You know, music always give people emotional energy. Your music also give me happy energy. I hope your happy energy being going to continue!

Dear Tomo, I think not becoming a famous artist is not failing. You became an educator at a famous music college and you created one of the most comprehensive and dynamic guitar courses online. People are literally being inspired by you every single day across the globe. I think your impact on music as a whole is much bigger than what most people can ever achieve as commercially successful artists. You did the opposite of failing if you ask me. Lots of love for you from this guy here!

such a great and inspirational teacher. you are amazing Tom! Thank you so much 😊

I have so mush respect for Tomo, he always smiles and shares positivity and inspires people. And being a musician is not easy, so much distraction and hard time in life, but Tomo still keeps doing what he loves and pursuits his dream. He still enjoys music and teaches his life experience and guitar techniques. A good mentor like Tomo really brings hope to people who think about giving up music or doubt themselves in life to keep exploring music.

So many people don't understand that for teachers, the act of helping someone else accomplish.a goal on guitar gives us a natural high that is similar to what performers feel in front of a good crowd. Calling that "failure" is such a bizarre thing to me. If someone truly loves teaching, and they get a natural high from it, it's the best job in the world in my (very biased) opinion.

Has a gift for teaching and AND is also a musician.

Man I’m so glad I found your RU-vid, thanks for being so real

You're a great teacher. I bought the student ibanez strat. I think it's especially good because it has your stamp of approval.

You are truly inspirational. Genuine. Gracious. Thank you. Truly.

I had never heard that you were of Japanese descent, studied at Berkeley, and became a teacher there. I respect you very much. Now I'm listening your disc by You tube Music, Good !I love funky Jazz also I love Steve Lukather and Larry Carton.I become your fun.

Tomo, you ***succeeded*** both as a musician and as a teacher. (24:25) I own your music CDs (bought from you directly last year. Thank you!), now I'm interested in getting your guitar books (even though I don't read Japanese). (28:47) I almost didn't recognize you without a guitar 🎸in your hands. 🤣

You are an amazing musician, and you teach and influence so many people. You are a success in every conceivable meaning of the word.

Learned so much from your videos! Thanks Sensai!

So inspiring Tomo thank you so much for sharing !!!

That was fantastic. Very helpful. Thank you!

Thanks for the teachings Tomo-san

‘Life’ is what happens whilst we are busy making plans. You may not have planned to be a guitar professor Tomo but I for one am very grateful that’s the path life you walked ! You have fostered and inspired so many great musicians and I can only imagine how much great music exists in the world today because of you ! You should be incredibly proud mate P.s really enjoying these longer philosophy / discussion like videos . You really need your own pod cast and bring on some other guest

thank you for sharing you story in these videos Tomo

Love this video so much

You are on my list of all time greatest players ever Tomo!! You will no doubt go down as a legend.

...one of my favorite things that you post, and would like to see more of, is when you play covers with your students ~ that motivates/inspires ME @ age sixty seven - some day soon I hope to devote my attention to Guitar Wisdom

Very insightful video as always tomo, always thankful for your wisdom

Thank you for telling your story. This was fantastic! I’m so glad it came up in my feed this morning when I had the time on my hands to watch it all the way through. As you shared your age, I did the math and realized we’re close to the same age (I was born in ‘65). I’ve always loved music, but didn’t pick up guitar until about 5 years ago. I now subscribe to Guitar Wisdom and start every morning (I get up an hour be for anyone else in the house) and work through the notebook I started due to your encouragement in your videos. I’m focusing on your site reading course and foundations triads as well as doing finger exercises daily. I appreciate you more than I can express without gushing. Fun fact: my dad was stationed at the US Navy base in Yokosuka when I was a kid so I went to elementary school for a few years in Japan. We lived off base near the beach and I was the only English speaking kid in our neighborhood. Anyway, now I live about an hour and a half away from you in New Hampshire in the Lakes Region. I want to get down to Boston at some point and see you play. Do you hold any clinics? How could I get information about them if you do? Respectfully yours, BryonM.

You are always a pleasure to hear.

Tomo, this is a great story and life lesson for anyone, not only guitar teachers. Thank you. GT

thank you again for sharing your point of view, inspiration & motivation

Thank you for making this video, you're such an inspiration.

Thanks, Tomo: going through it at the moment and this was quite a welcome lecture, to be sure.

Thank you for sharing important off guitar stuff like this. I appreciate your story. Good luck with everything.

You are the best in my opinion. Because of your videos, I manage to master different riffs and rhythms.

I loved hearing about his journey and real life advice. I think all musicians should take a marketing class .... especially if they don't want to teach.

You’re one of my hero’s tomo you inspire me to play and without your chord videos I would of never gotten as good as I am today When you read these comments remind yourself on the mark you’ve left on all of us We love you 🙏🏾

Thank you Tomo!!

Your an inspiration Tomo!🙏🏻

love your videos & your wisdom

Thank you for the inspiration, I really aperciate your videos and lessons

This was very encouraging to listen to, I really needed to hear this right now. Thank you so much for sharing your story!

I appreciate you and everything you do, thanks for this 👍⭐

You truly are an inspiration for me and many others out there!

Thanks for sharing your story Tomo! And all the best on your continued musical journey!

You have wisdom that cannot be denied. And I sense no drop of arrogance in you.

Thank you for sharing Tomo!! Love the life stories and the access to your musical life journey!! Keep up the great work!!

Great story Tomo. Thanks for sharing. This is a life lesson not just for musicians.

So much wisdom and inspiration in every video. Thanks for sharing Tomo! Greetings!

トモさん、あなたを通して世界に平和が流れ続けますように。 ありがとうございました

We love ya Tomo ❤️

Thank you for sharing that. I love all of your videos not only because of your teaching but the way you are. Very meaningful

You are living the dream. Thanks for all you share.

Love the “great quality of life” line! 🤘

No you did not fail. I have my funk face on! We love you Tomo! What you’ve given the world of guitar is unmatched and you’ve had a huge impact on music.

You've had a really amazing journey so far. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your wisdom!

Amazing advice Tomo…really inspiring 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Very inspiring! You're the best Tomo✌😁❤

thank u so much Tomo!!..So nice to hear about your experience!.Cheers from Brasil!

I enjoy your teaching but I love your CDs just as much! You stand with the legends. You are a guitar hero for our generation 🙏🏻❤️

今回の映像のタイトルを見て、ただ事ならぬ内容だと思い、拝見しました。 オーディションのトピックに代表されるような色々な事があり現在に至った事を垣間見る事ができて、感銘を受けました。 私は昨年50歳になった直後にトモ藤田さんの書籍とRU-vidを見て、ギター練習を再開しました。 現在は弾き語りの練習が主です。 いつでもステージでプレイ出来る様に準備する事を心掛けながら、ギターや弾き語りの練習に取り組んでいきたいと思います。 ステキな映像を公開頂きありがとうございました✨

Tomo, you are incredible!

You are an amazing teacher and I really appreciate your dedication to teaching music. Keep going and so will your students! Thanks!

You are the most influential guitar player to me. I would’ve quit guitar if I hadn’t discovered you sensei. Your wisdom just made guitar playing for me a lot easier and It all started to make sense. I listen to your albums and I think they’re genuinely great. Don’t worry, don’t compare and be kind to yourself. You taught me music isn’t a competition. Just have fun. You’re one of the best musicians i know Thank you so much ❤

Awesome guitarist,best teacher !Ive learnt so much from you,you have no idea .Thanks Tomo sensai!

Being a Japanese American from Yokohama and leaving my former 40-year career in JKF-Gojuryu Karate and change to a music teaching career, I relate to your words of wisdom on a personal level. I often feel I failed in being successful Sensei, but now see music as a second chance to excel in a different adventure, and not to compare my past with my future. Always a fan. The Guitar Carpenter.

I quit guitar after college and only recently picked it up. I didn't realize how lost I was because I wanted to play everything. I took ONE private lesson from Tomo and it just set me out on a path of learning that is very fulfilling. More than the guitar lessons, Tomo's lessons apply to my life as well. So thank you Tomo for setting me on the PATH. I am saving up for another private so I can show you where I am now :D Thank you sensei!

We are thankful & grateful for your dedication and wisdom and passion for guitar, and your willingness to share with others. Your videos - and of course your playing - are always a joy. Thank you.