Welcome to a new Monday post with 3 random thoughts on all things guitar, music, and life, including thoughts on consistency, songs for life, and more…
#1 – Consistency
I got a nice comment on one of my new YouTube Videos yesterday.
It was someone saying the following…
“Fantastic! thanx mate! I’m not understanding why more traffic isn’t all over this channel! your bang on!”
Well, the truth is in YouTube’s algorithm’s eyes I’ve been a bad boy. Haha.
Even though the channel has over 8,000 subscribers, I had previously left it years (around 3 or 4 years) before I started posting videos on there again.
…And over the last few months, some videos have done well.
But the truth is, the YouTube experiment is about fun for me.
For a long time now, I’ve been very happy with where my lessons and teaching business are at.
I’ve got a wonderful bunch of students in the DTAA, others enjoying my courses and books, the Fingerstyle 101 Facebook group is great and I love writing my regular emails.
YouTube has just been something extra – just to share some more ideas and hopefully help even more folks who resonate with my lessons.
One thing I’ve not been good at on YouTube is consistency.
…And until I consistently post videos on there, YouTube ain’t going to share my videos as much.
Consistency is key – just like on the guitar.
For instance, regular daily consistent practice beats trying to hammer it all in a short period of time.
There are gazillions of dormant YouTube channels because people have not been consistent and have burnt themselves out.
…Just like there are millions of guitars sitting in attics across the world because of a lack of consistency or burnout.
So, the lesson here is, keep at it.
Consistency is key… and consistency yields results!
#2 – The big debut
Speaking of consistency, here’s something cool.
Yesterday was a super exciting day.
Yesterday, Archie played his first football match for his team.
Before the game, he had butterflies in his belly.
He came off the bench and his team went on to win 6-1.
I was fidgeting around on the sidelines, enjoying it and trying to stay chilled.
Archie was delighted, and he won the “Parents Player” of the match award.
I’m super proud of him.
He has put so much effort into football.
He’s getting good, and that’s purely through his enthusiasm, passion, and hard work – not talent, but all his effort is paying off.
It’s such a good lesson for him in life to know that hard work and focus pays off…
It’s nice to see – I mean whether that be my son, students, or even strangers – I love it when I see anyone achieve things through hard work. It’s always inspiring for me.
Okay, finally, here is another lesson…
#3 – Songs for life
Recently, Rich, a DTAA member, left a comment on a song lesson.
He was saying how he found the song a challenge.
…But how much he enjoys listening to it and that he can now play the first eight bars.
That’s so cool.
Eight bars might not sound like a huge amount, but it’s the majority of the song.
Most songs have repeating or similar parts throughout so…
Once you learn the first big chunk like this, usually you will have done all the hard yards.
And the great thing is, as long as he sticks with it and practises the song regularly, he’ll be able to play this song forever.
No songs are easy at first, but just like the B.B. King quote (as seen near the bottom of this email)…
Once you learn something, it’s forever and no one can take that away from you.
There you go.
I realised when writing this week’s random thoughts – there is a theme running throughout all about persistence so…
Keep at it but also remember to keep enjoying your playing with a smile on your face.
…And if you want more help with your playing, you might like to check this out.
Guitar Domination Super eBook Bundle
Have a great week!
Dan Thorpe
Guitar Domination
P.S. This post was originally taken from Dan Thorpe’s private email list. To get blog posts like this sent to you which are full of great tips to make fingerpicking, strumming, and learning guitar more enjoyable (especially if you are over 40) join Dan’s list. It’s 100% free, HERE.
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