Have fun and enjoying is extremely important. After several brain injuries, some parts of my memory are just gone, and I lost the use of my fret hand. I used to sight read music and that is gone now. Also, at times my fret hand just doesn't work properly. Rather than dwell about the "used to could", I just enjoy what I can do and chip away, knowing it will happen in its own time. Every now and then, an old run will just fall out of my hand and what seems like magic walks through the room. I stopped lying to myself about the why, when playing was taken away from me. And, even though my playing isn't in the same hemisphere as in the past, I acquired a new higher end guitar to which I had the means. It's just an extra motivator because "that guitar deserves my attention daily and I deserve to have it.
I make all my mistakes in private by pushing well beyond what I can do then grow my confidence by stepping back into my comfort zone in public. And guess what, every month my comfort zone rises to a new level. That's the power of TAC and the lies can take a long walk off a short bridge as far as I'm concerned. Thx Darren (Moonhare)
One thing that I have found very useful is writing down what I am going to practice each day. I keep a journal of what I’m practicing, that way I don’t end up going over the same material week after week. I try to mix up my warm up exercises and always find a new song or two to be working on while trying to perfect one that I’ve been working on a little longer. There are so many videos and guitar ‘teachers’ on RU-vid that it’s easy to be constantly jumping around. I’ve found that if I have a couple of really good (maybe 3 or 4 at most) teachers that I follow, I’m more likely to see improvement. I have trust in them that they can show me how I can over time become a better guitarist. I’ve heard the expression ‘Don’t try to drink from the fire hose!’ And I believe it to be true. TAC daily challenge is often how I begin each day.
A couple of lies that I use to limit myself: 1. My hands are small and my fingers are just too short to play a guitar. 2. My fingers are too fat to play clean on the fretboard. Both of these lies have served me well for years! I'll work on dropping them starting today.
Watching Tal Wilkenfeld blow my face off as a bassist with Jeff Beck did a bit too make me laugh at my "I"m too small for this ERB" lies I've told myself.
In the 2 years that I've been a TAC member, I haven't told myself any of these lies, thanks to the approach to playing that you've shown me. I pick up and play my guitar everyday in the AM without fail because it's a habit that's been instilled in me as a result of the TAC approach to playing. Thanks Tony for showing me a process to be successful in my guitar journey.
I’d love to add a couple of thoughts here. 1st; the 10 minute rule is easier to apply if your guitar is handy. I hang mine up. I used to keep it on a stand, but I worried that it would get knocked over. 2nd; get a guitar that is good enough to reward your effort. Put another way, get a guitar that you can’t blame. This is usually less expensive with electrics (I have a used Telecaster that I paid $300 for that I love). Good quality acoustics can run a little more, but they’re worth it. I have a guy who does repairs in my town who also consigns used stuff. It’s where my Tele came from. Good source for trusted stuff. Thanks for this, Tony.
Oh thanks so much Tony ! Another Lie I told myself learning to play guitar is "Year practice Lie" which simply means "I have to practice guitar perfectly during many years before starting playing in public. This episode changed my mindset out learning and practicing acoustic guitar.
I recognize every one of those lies, but I am proud to say that I have successfully avoided all of them. Well, I guess that isn't strictly true. I used to play when I was young, but I quit when I was around 30 for what is basically the "eternal destination lie." Flash forward to a few years ago. I was 58, and I just decided I wanted to get back into guitar. Yes, I did want a newer, better guitar, and I got one that didn't really suit me, then traded it in for another that works better for me, but I started relearning with my old guitar, which I still had. Now 62, while my repertoire is perhaps not as large at this time as it was when I was younger, I am actually playing better than I ever did before. Instead of getting discouraged by what I can't do or what I feel I can't do well enough, I focus on what I am doing that I couldn't do before and what I can now do better than what I could do before. Instead of seeing limitations, I am looking at progress. That to me is the key to keeping it enjoyable and sustaining your drive to improve.
I know it’s kinda silly but, Bruce Springsteen said when he was learning guitar the first time he hated it and wished his teacher or anyone would have just taught him the three magic chords. Believe I read that in his autobiography in 2016. Since then I’ve grown as a player and released music but I recall at the time- that kind of thinking can carry me pretty far. Hope this helps someone. It’s ok to start somewhere.
I started learning guitar when I was 17. I progressed quickly and was on a stage within 5 years. Inside of 10 years, I was playing for "retired" country music stars like Dottie West and Charlie Walker. My experience was that the more time I spent with my fingers on the neck, the quicker I learned. I was fortunate to have moved to a new town when I was in high school and didn't have a lot of friends, because I was the new kid and not very outgoing. So, the guitar became my best friend. I never fell into the trap that I was afraid to try something. If I couldn't cover a song, I would slow the tempo to a slow enough speed that I could cover it and then slowly increase the tempo until it was the real tempo. In fact, sometimes I would practice difficult pieces faster than the performance. Kinda the same logic as distance running....if you compete in the mile, practice 2 miles. Regardless of your level, find somewhere to play. You learn SO much from performances. If you have the opportunity, take it.
As I watched this episode, I was reminded of our TAC friend "jumpin' Jeff" and his comments about "expectations are where fun goes to die", or something along those lines. :D The past several weeks, while recovering from (yet another) surgery, I've enjoyed researching (via internet and books) some musicians I've greatly admired for decades. SEVERAL can NOT read music! One can WRITE OUT her compositions when she's freshly composed them, but can't read them back the next day.. yet she's had a decades-long music career! One of the HUGE take-aways from several of HER interviews is that ALL forms of creativity and self expression need to be approached and conducted as FUN! She says to keep the PLAY in playing music! :D Yet ANOTHER musician talked about first learning on a baritone ukulele (same as top 4 strings of a guitar) because it was cheaper than a guitar, and she used a single book with record to start learning a few basic chords and finger picking. She carried the ukulele with her everywhere and practiced constantly, sometimes to the great annoyance of her friends.. but eventually she was able to accompany their songs at campfires and parties, and eventually became one of the greatest song writers and guitar players in the world.. and no, she can't read music either! :D The takeaway from HER story is: 1, it's OK to start with only 4 strings to learn basics. 2. Find time to practice whenever and wherever you can (although I wouldn't recommend practicing in line to buy movie tickets as SHE did! :D) 3. having friends or family to accompany for sing-alongs (or similar) can be a good motivation. 4. don't let lack of ability to read music or lack of knowledge of music theory keep you from playing (and writing if desired) guitar music. THANKS Tony for the timely reminders to be aware of the "self-talk", which for some folks HAS come from outside of themselves, further adding to the weight of that burden that needs to be set aside. :D Awareness of "triggers" that might awaken those "negative voices" from others even when they're not physically present, and methods of replacing the negative with POSITIVE "voices" can be a very long-term process for some people. :D Keep those good vibes coming! :D
I hate to admit it, but I'm guilty of the lies as you described. However, I thought of two more for the list. The first one falls under the G.A.S. section, and is the lie that "I need a guitar that fits me better", and " I need new strings before I can play".
My guitar lie is; 'I don't have a dedicated place to play'. I find myself cleaning an area to play in and using up my 10 minutes getting the area ready. So I just skip or get sidetracked.. This can be a habit easily fallen into. I now have an area just for playing and it works much better. One of my goals is to play Classical Gas by Mason Williams. It is one of my favorite pieces. I keep putting it off since it is rather advanced. Your suggestions to stretch myself and try it are really helpful. Thanks for another great video.
Another lie, which I told myself for years: "I'm not good enough to get a 'good' guitar". I suffered through playing on the second hand cheap guitar I learned on for decades. I finally broke down and bought a well set up guitar (Emerald X30) and it's made playing so much easier!
Ive been denying getting myself new gear by telling myself my skill level isnt high enough to justify it. I fell in love with a Taylor 618e and have the means to acquire it. It is a pricey purchase for me and something I know I would cherish and hold on to forever. But I keep telling myself I dont deserve a guitar of that value and quality because im not good enough.
I started taking lessons about two years on a cheap Yamaha, and my teacher kind of put it down as a plywood guitar. I went out and tried several guitars, did my research and ended up with a Taylor 614CE. it changed everything, it gave me confidence although I'm still a very new beginner. Go big or go home right?!!
Get it. Gear doesn’t make you a better player, but if it’s something that will make you love playing even more, then it’s definitely something you should feel worthy of. Think of it this way, how many expensive guitars are owned by collectors and celebrities who don’t even touch the instrument? In your case, you’d be playing it and using it for years. That alone makes you “worthy” of it.
Lol, Tony I'm a social worker by profession. I oftentimes mix guitar into my practice. Your videos are so encouraging, I call you the "guitar therapist" sometimes. Guitar lies, or guitar "negative thinking patterns" lol. Thanks for being a champ!
My common lie to myself is this - “My body isn’t built to be a great guitar player”. It manifests itself in comments like: My finger stretch is too short to span the frets necessary to play the blues shuffle. My finger joints are hindering my ability to play clean chords. I am unable to hold the guitar in a way that facilitates my right hand. Would be interested to hear your thoughts.
If I hadn’t my guitar teacher, I would have given up after a year. But still I don’t feel like Im not good at it after 2 years but now I don’t want to give up. I feel like I’m on turtle-speed 🙈 😢 but when I play at least a part without mistakes I feel happy. But it’s sometimes hard to find the time each day. I often have only 30 minutes or less. 🙈
lol i wasnt expecting to learn about the dunce hat in this video. never heard of it before, so out of curiosity i looked it up and i kinda felt sad after looking at the images on google. hahaha
I don't believe a single word...lol. I was listening to something that rolled over to your episode. I have not listened for a while and I always appreciate your encouragement and motivation. I typically wake up very early and take coffee to my wife so I play my guitar while the coffee is brewing, about 10 minutes or so. Also a reason for a new guitar is that it will encourage practice time. I recently bought a CEO 7 (which you gave "4 killers" on a review with Paul).it looks very similar to what you were playing in the video today. It needs hours of play time and I am not a young man. I also must keep my other guitars awake and I enjoy every minute! Be nice and play guitars! Spill the wine.
Ooops, there I go. I even watched Acoustic Tuesday out of order. I just watched episode 272 and then watched this one. Can't I get anything right?? Someday I'll be able to play the guitar. I think that I will reach critical mass soon so watch out for a bright flash in the sky coming from Southwest Missouri.
I have told myself all of these at certain parts of my guitar playing life. I'm almost 50, and have been playing since 15. I'm not better at it as I should be(even though I don't entirely suck), because I told my self all these lies.
Two lies that took me a long time to get over are: 1. You have to be able to play super fast to solo or improvise. 2. You need to be able to play a song note for note for it to have any value; neither of which are remotely true.
The only thing I disagree with is your assertion that you don't get better by rehearsing the same songs repeatedly (part of the time). The more times I rehearse a song my church band is planning to perform in church (by myself, and with my band), the smoother, cleaner, and more confident my guitar playing is for that song. That's especially true if the song contains chords that are less easy to play (e.g., Bb, B, C#m, barre chords in general) and/or harder to transition to and from quickly and cleanly. Practice doesn't always have to involve doing something different; sometimes it's getting better at executing what you already can do.
Fat fingers, short fingers and my guitar is too big, are all excuses I’ve used. I have eliminated the one I can have an effect on, by buying a parlour guitar, my slope shouldered dreadnought was a purchase based on looks, but it sounds great compared to the parlour, it’s something hopefully I grow into
I had a problem with my thumbs (pain from injury) bare chords hurt too much, I started learning power chords and suddenly my bare chords improved. To musical bones, there is no musical bone or math-bone I’m a retired chiropractor and I know all the bones. Say I can not I can’t.
Thanks Tony, Have you ever discussed Dixon guitars. My understanding is he left Gibson and made copy Hummingbird, D28/45, etc in Korea until sued by Gibson and they bought up all they could to destroy. I have a Dixon Model 762J (Martin D35copy?)
I am developing a theory that playing guitar and learning later in life can be an excellant way to diminish dementia. For the younger folks out there its a fact that dementia is a part of aging. Its different for everyone.
Quitting is due to lack of support. There has to be accountability and that comes from having an in-person teacher. I love on-line learning, but there has to be a real person that helps you as well.
The part about skill levels, trust me when I say this, it is pure BS. I had songs that said Beginner where I was struggling to play one chord right, while there were some intermediate or even advanced ones where I played them comfortably, so those "tierings" are pure BS, you pick it up and see for yourself, maybe you are better in certain elements of playing than in ohters, so that "beginner level song" is harder for you or that "advanced level" one is actually moderately easy for you
Hello Sir, Can you please help me with the chords for believer ( imagine dragons )song as I would like to teach my 5 year old boy. He is learning on Guitalele Thank you 😊
Santa Cruz 1934 D Custom Brazilian, Santa Cruz OM Fort Ross “Chapel” Redwood/Brazilian and Bourgeois 45 Style 000 - Brazilian.. If i only had those guitars, i would be a so much better player.
Lie: You'll never be that good. That lie compares me to a professional player and takes all the fun out of learning and exploring. No more guitar lies and stop beating myself up!!! Well, I was picking it up pretty fast because my dad played guitar and my teacher was putting the brakes on me. I think it you are catching on pretty quick go for it and keep practicing! Don't hold yourself back and give yourself time to make mistakes. I heard the beautiful sound of slack key guitar and got out of the box and retuned my guitar and started learning. I realize it's going to take some time to get it, and we never stop learning and our skill levels can improve with practice. What is motivating me is I like the sound of the slack key guitar and the songs I want to learn I like.
I just think you're too conventional Tony: Why not grow long hair and a beard or maby get some tatoos? I'll never stop trying to play guitar till they pry my guitar from my cold, dead hands. Maby I need a beard and dome tattoos...
