Here are two more interesting emails I have got this week. I hope you find the emails and my thoughts useful…
Email #1
Hi Dan,
Thanks for posting these emails, I returned to guitar after many years (and I was never very good in the first place lol) during lockdown.
Years ago, there was only a chord book and a couple of mates to show you the odd riff, consequently, it all became a bit of a slog with poor progress, life took over and I put the guitar away.
This time, however, it’s been a whole different experience with so much help and support online, I find myself making small wins and looking forward to the time in the day when I can pick up the guitar and play.
I watched your awesome lesson on ‘April Come She Will’ and thanks to your pace and clarity, I’ve very nearly got it down. Incidentally, I can now play ‘Scarborough Fair’ and sing along, plus a Jackson C Frank song ‘Kimbie’. It took an age, but one day it just sort of clicked, such a good feeling and gives me the confidence to carry on.
Those people who think this will NEVER happen, (I was one of them), it really is just a matter of practice and being patient with yourself.
Keep doing what you’re doing, it’s SO appreciated.
With thanks,
Rachel
Ah, I love emails like this.
There isn’t a huge amount to say here other than kudos to Rachel.
She has shown it is possible, no matter how much you doubt yourself.
Everyone and anyone can play guitar, so stick with it.
Sometimes it can feel like a slog, but when things start to click, progress does happen, and often at a faster rate too.
Then the fun really begins.
Believe in yourself and you will get there!
Okay, onto Email #2…
Hi Dan,
I’m really looking forward to being part of your academy!
I had a guitar teacher in the past.
He wasn’t a singer at all, so just concentrated on guitar – but not with any emphasis on fingerpicking.
He got me feeling unsure of my direction as he was always asking me what I wanted to play!
He then talked me into buying an electric guitar and I started on Grade 2 RGT electric.
Then the pandemic hit us, and I lost interest really.
Reverted to acoustic guitar again as I play with other people and we all play acoustic and sing!!
I cancelled my exam on the electric as I hadn’t prepared well enough.
I am already following your book online and trying hard to master fingerpicking as I love country and folk music as well as classical. Really enjoying it so far. (Btw I’m 72!)
Anna
Wow.
Like I said to Anna, how frustrating is it when you go to someone for advice and they give you wishy-washy answers?
You are looking for someone to lead you, but instead, they ask you what you want to learn.
No wonder Anna didn’t want to take the exam.
It sounds like doing an electric guitar exam was a million miles off what an acoustic fingerpicker who sings wants to do!
A teacher’s job is to lead and guide their students confidently down the path the student wants to travel in and take them there with a plan.
It sounds like this teacher did neither but then some guitar teachers don’t really know how to teach, but I digress.
Anyway, if you are like most readers, you probably want a plan and guidance on how to fingerpick.
If so, then my book is a good place to start…
Fingerstyle 101 – a step-by-step guide to beautiful fingerpicking guitar playing
Enjoy your day and thanks to everyone who does email me and a bigger thanks to those who say such kind words!
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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