My practice goal over xmas 2023... Still GT Blues riff

These videos are really just for my family and friends, but feel free to watch and comment if you are learning to play guitar.

I started playing accoustic guitar at school in 1981/82, but as is the case for so many aspiring muscians, 'life and work' can be a huge distraction. I have put my guitar(s) down so many times over the years, and have had a few different teachers... During a conversation with my teacher in 2000, feeling frustrated with my (perceived) lack of progress at that time, and on the verge of giving up, he reassured me everything I was feeling was common. He was a professional player, and had been a long time teacher and confessed to me that 'sometimes he wished he didn't have to pick the thing up'. I was a bit surprised because all I could see was how brilliant a player he was in my eyes and at my level then. Anyway, what he followed the negative comment with has stuck with me, he said "it doesn't matter how often or for how long you put it down, so long as you pick it up again, and if you want to really play guitar, you will pick it up again, and that is the main thing".

It is so true, and it is never too late... well unless you are on your death bed, then maybe you might have left your run too late.

Fast forward from 2000, 2010, 2020 - and now it's 2024 - which is going to my year for lead playing and playing in general. Back to the 'death bed' comment above, I say to people that I would be very upset with myself if I was on my death bed and had not cracked the 'code' to lead playing!

Since 2020, my personal and family life has been stressful, ageing parents/dementia/alzheimers/alcohlism/grief/acceptance/letting go. I am my father's FT carer, without any immediate family support, and in fact quite the opposite from my two siblings - will say no more on that, as I am sure my situation is similar to many others, and probably speaks for itself.

Before this, my working life had been extremely stressful. Utter bastardry in certain industries, and employers. My last job was as a female mine worker, bullying, intimidation, discrimination, etc etc. This resulted in me taking legal action, eventually ending in the Federal Court, and although I was triumphant in many ways, there were great losses, and these events and situations were life altering, and supremely distracting. But everything does have a silver lining...

I've been a member of GMM since 2020 (Guitar Mastery Method - which I highly recommend), (I am not receiving a commission for the mention), GMM is a Kiwi based guitar teaching platform and is fantastic. The GMM community is vast, across the globe, and it was so reassuring and enlightening to see so many other guitarists of all ages, including ladies like me who just want to understand and become the player they have always wanted to become.

A few people around me, close friends in my real life said to me months ago that I need to do something for myself. I agreed, so in October I signed up for advanced, elite one on one guitar lessons through GMM. A three month committment, and you have to show up and do the work, which appeals to me, as my motivation on my own was waning again, and progress was slow. Turns out, I miss having a teacher to actually speak to and have my questions answered instantly.

As you may be able to guess from my first video on this channel, click here https://youtu.be/yazwb7KrE3k - I am a bit excited at being able to improv a bit and move around the neck. My understanding and comprehension for the patterns and scales, root notes, positions and song key has vastly and quickly connected in my brain... the 'lightbulb moments' as they say on GMM, have come fast and furious and I am so happy! (Not that I show it in the videos lol...so serious!) The prior learning and my own self belief has also helped of course.

For anyone who feels compelled to play the guitar for any reason but thinks it's too hard, if you just do a little bit each day, you will be amazed at how quickly your fingers will stop hurting, and the muscle memory takes hold, apparently a trumpet player can feel as though his face is going to blow off, haha! At least guitar won't do that!

As I mentioned, and have been saying to my family and friends whilst sending new year messages last night and today... 2024 is going to my year, in so many ways, but particularly with my guitar playing (and singing). Overall, it is the first new year, in many years that I feel optimistic and genuinely positive - I hope I can inspire others to feel the same...

On that note one and all - now that I have that out of my system...
Best wishes to whoever reads this far, I do hope the world becomes a more peaceful and happier place for those who are not as fortunate as most of us, and 2024 really does bring you your own dreams. Be kind and thoughtful to all who cross your pathway on this weird and weary, but wonderful journey we are all on! Rock on! xxx

Backing track from DOPEZ TRACKS. Fair Use.