Happy new year to you.
I hope 2023 will be an amazing one for your guitar playing!
Here’s something that will hopefully inspire you as we begin the new year…
Over the years, I’d often hear the same thing from a lot of students in my teaching studio.
At the end of their very first or second lesson, and feeling the excitement of going on a new journey with the guitar…
A student would often say something like this:
“Dan, I’m having so much fun. I wish I’d started learning guitar ten years ago.”
It wasn’t always said in that exact way, but I heard a similar thing many, many times.
I would always reply something along these lines…
“I know that feeling. When I started out, I wished I’d done it sooner, but just imagine if you’d left it another ten years before starting to learn guitar.
Imagine how good you will be in ten years’ time instead of doing what most people do, which is to never start learning guitar at all, or give it a half-hearted attempt.
Be proud of yourself for starting now and committing to it because you could have left it another ten years before beginning…”
This would always make them think.
…And the truth is some people, even a few reading this, will spend the next ten years thinking about playing guitar but not really putting in much effort.
These are the types who “float” around, not committing to the instrument and making excuses not to practise.
On the flip side, there are those who will fully commit to the guitar (which thankfully a good chunk of you reading this do).
These are the guitarists who in ten years’ time will be pleased to say:
“I’m glad I practised on those days when I didn’t feel like it.”
“I’m glad I put in the effort while others were watching a random and forgetful Netflix series.”
“And I’m glad I made the guitar a priority in life.”
…Because as we all know, the benefits of learning an instrument are wonderful.
So maybe this year could be the best one for you yet.
It could be that you don’t need to practise any more than you already do, but instead, you just need to practise with more focus and organisation and you need to be kinder to yourself when you do practise (watch out for any negative voices in your head).
Ultimately, it’s all in your hands.
The ball is in your court.
…And only you can make the decision to pick up this stunning, sometimes mind-boggling, and downright beautiful instrument.
I know a good majority of people reading this are committed, and I want to tip my hat to all of you who are…
For the others, the fence sitters, or fair-weather players…
I hope this thought of just where you could be in a year, five years, or ten years’ time is something that will give you a big boost in motivation to pick up and commit to the guitar today for the rest of the year and beyond.
The simple truth is, I’ve never met anyone who regretted practising…
…But I’ve met and spoken to a tonne of people who regret never having started or never really committing to it.
It’s all in your hands.
Let’s make 2023 the best one yet for your playing!
I hope to help you on your journey with these emails and my resources, but ultimately, remember you’re in charge of your own destiny.
On that note, I’ve just released the new lessons for Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy members.
It’s not for everyone, but for those who are committed and those of you who want to be the best guitarist you can be, you might want to check it out. The new lessons include:
- 10 technical tips that EVERY guitarist should know
- How to simplify chords so any guitarist can play, jam, and use them (learn how to turn chords from a tricky 5 or 6-string shape into a much easier 4-string chord),
- A quick but powerful lesson on “Rhythm Switching” to improve your timing…
- …And tomorrow, I’ll release the new “Guitar Meditation” to help you play in a more relaxed, smooth, and effortless manner.
The deadline to get these lessons is tomorrow night.
Find out more about the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy
Happy new year to you!
Dan Thorpe
Guitar Domination
P.S. For a taste of how the membership can help you, read what new member Phil said in a comment the other day:
“You are the only teacher I have seen or heard teach these awesome details! Man! I have spent hundreds of dollars on lessons and have never had these taught!
Very awesome and so useful! Thank you for you spending your time in helping us guitarists make a better go of it! Truly, I do thank you!
P.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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