Here are two interesting emails I have got lately.
I hope you find the emails and my thoughts useful…
Email #1… A guitar teacher gets mad after seeing the Fingerstyle 101 sales page
“As a long-time guitar teacher, I feel a bit insulted by your introductory statement.
Do you honestly think that you are the only instructor who has a step-by-step plan? Geez.”
Lee
Some people get so easily offended.
I never once said I was the only one with a plan.
At the same time, you only have to look around on the internet, Facebook groups, YouTube comments (and in my case, talk to real-life students) to realise that…
99% of guitar teachers have nothing remotely like a plan to teach students.
Still, if Lee is one of the 1% who does teach with a plan, good on him (but why get his knickers in a twist about it I have no idea).
My students and I have rarely ever come across anything that resembles a plan, especially for struggling beginners.
I am sure there is gold amongst the rubble out there – but it is not easy for people to find it.
That is why I wrote the book – to help others fulfil their guitar playing dreams.
If what I say bothers other teachers, I’m not fussed.
I’m here to help students, not stroke the egos of any teacher out there.
Onto Email #2 – New student shows how it is done
“Dan,
Just finished reading your fingerpicking book and have started the fingerpicking course.
Already have seen improvement in the sound by changing my positioning of my picking hand and it’s only my first day with the course.
Also, thanks for following up and checking in so soon.
Thanks”
Robert
It is always pleasing to hear about students making progress right away.
Progress on Day 1 is ace and is certainly possible.
Like I say to most students though.
Most progress happens over time.
It sneaks up on you, gradually bit by bit, until you feel like you belong as a musician, where you realise you are having fun and playing music that sounds and feels joyous.
When I look back at those moments for me, playing music well for the first time reminded me of learning to ride a bike, freewheeling down a hill, excited but nervous about where it will go.
Those moments are great fun!
…And like I said to Robert, keep enjoying it, keep following the lessons, and there will be plenty more victories like this.
If you want to check out the book in question, you can do so at the link below:
Fingerstyle 101 – a step-by-step guide to beautiful fingerpicking guitar playing
Have a great day!
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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