Disaster!

Disaster struck in the Thorpe household today.

It was probably the most painful day an Englishman has been through.

 

I thought to myself, “I’ll go get a cup of tea and go have a jam on my guitar”.

Well, I turned the kettle on, went and tuned up, but strangely, I never heard the kettle fire up.

So, I checked it out, and God forbid, it was broken.

 

Well, rather comically, it turned out I could stand there and hold the switch down and the kettle would work.

So, I got my cup of tea but there was no way I was doing that again!

So, until I get a new kettle, I have to boil the water in a pan on the stove like it’s the 1930s.

 

Us English have a reputation for enjoying a cup of tea (although I’m a fan of coffee as much).

Anyway, I did get jamming, and it was fun.

…But the point of all this is not to rant about things breaking or how great a cup of Earl Grey is (kidding, I drink PG Tips)…

But more to talk about adaptability.

 

I have not always been the best with this sort of thing.

It can be frustrating when things don’t quite work out.

You know, like when you’re watching a guitar lesson video and the internet cuts out.

Or when you misplace a capo or your favourite pick.

Or even when you settle down for a good practice routine, and just as you strum the first chord, there’s a knock at the door!

 

Grrr, it can be frustrating.

The key thing with this instrument though is that adaptability is key.

It’s never always going to be plain sailing.

There will always be good days, bad days, and “so-so” days.

One of the keys is turning those bad and “so-so” days into good days.

 

For instance, if you have an awful day playing where nothing seems to go right…

Just forget what you are doing…

And play the simplest thing you know.

…But play it with enjoyment.

 

Don’t stress about improving on days like that, but if you can make a tiny improvement, great.

Just make the notes shine and resonate and sing brightly, like a flock of bluebirds gallantly flying past.

…And guess what?

If you can do the above and put the guitar down feeling like you’ve achieved something and had some fun, it’s been a good day of practice.

No matter what, always remember, we can start again tomorrow.

 

If you feel ready to take the next step with your playing and get support and help from me, with monthly specific plans to give you faster results, and breakthrough lessons which will help transform your playing, then check this out…

Find out more about the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy

 

Right, I hope that helped anyone who needed it.

I’m off for a cup of tea (damn, I forgot, I best go buy a new kettle first).

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.