Here are two more interesting emails I have got lately. I hope you find the emails and my thoughts useful…
Email #1…
“Hi,
Sue here from Bridgetown, Western Australia – so a big gidday!
I was trained in classical guitar throughout my teens at a music school and did very well, but found it all way too serious and too perfect, which eventually caused me to stop playing completely.
We weren’t taught to have fun with it! I am finally relaxed enough and over the seriousness and just want to start again with a different type of guitar playing.
Still have my classical guitar which I have started playing but just bought a great little acoustic and am very excited about your course.”
Sue
Gidday to Sue!
Geez, that sounds like a rough experience.
I know it offends some people every time I say it, but yeah, the classical world can be stuffy as hell.
I mean, I have heard horror stories of students in that world being forced to play “studies” for years before teachers allow them to play music, and even then, the teacher often chooses the piece.
Talk about kicking the fun out of guitar!
I must say though, I still prefer the classical world over the YouTube world of tuition.
I find classical tuition a thousand times better for learning proper technique than the typical YouTube lesson.
Rarely have I ever seen a tutor on YouTube talk about basic technique.
Things like using a light touch, relaxing your body as you play, and not pressing too hard with the thumb, etc.
In short, YouTube ain’t great for learning to play guitar properly.
There I go again, probably offending some other folk!
I prefer the 80/20 split…
80% tuition from the classical world where we have laser-focused technique with detail down to the last note (this will make your songs sound more musical),
…But also 20% of the YouTube style of learning where things are taught in a laid back, fun manner, and you learn the songs you love at your own pace.
Anyway, onto Email #2
“Hi,
This is Logan… I’m a 63-year-old beginner… I’ve always wanted to learn to play the guitar and thought it was impossible because I have NO MUSICAL TALENT!!
So, when I retired this year, I decided that I’m going to take the time to prove myself wrong…
I’ve been learning from YouTube for the last 6 months and am happy with my progress, but I need more structure.
This course has me excited… I’m really looking forward to it!”
Logan
The course that Logan mentioned is the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy.
That is not the important thing here though.
I want to address something he said…
The bit about having “no musical talent”.
I am delighted that Logan has joined. I just need to make sure we destroy that self-sabotaging, and downright nasty and limiting belief.
I HATE it when someone says:
“I have no musical talent”
If you ever feel that way, STOP thinking like this.
No one is born with natural talent.
Just read the slightly long-winded but very powerful and full of interesting anecdotes Talent Is Overrated book.
In that book, you will see how hard work, perseverance, and dedication to one’s craft completely blows natural talent out of the water.
Yeah, some people are naturally fast runners or have a great memory or wonderful hand-eye coordination, but their talent is NOT what takes them to the top.
In 99 out of 100 cases, it is hard work that takes them there.
I have seen this many times with the students who have walked through my studio door or those who have been learning and studying my lessons over the years, telling me how much they have progressed.
It is definitely worth remembering that.
You have all the talent needed to achieve what you want on guitar.
I hope you enjoyed that email.
Enjoy your Wednesday…
Dan Thorpe
Guitar Domination
P.S. Speaking of talent, one area I see a lot of people struggle with is rhythm.
Some people think others naturally have better rhythm and strumming skills.
I disagree.
I think some people are more “rhythm-shy” than others and maybe simply have not developed their rhythm skills… yet.
If you want to develop yours, you may want to check out my brand-new paperback version of The Ultimate Guide to Strumming.
It covers everything you ever really need to know about strumming.
Find out more about The Ultimate Guide to Strumming
By the way, if you do get it, let me know (by sending me an order number or screenshot of the purchase) and until Sunday, I will send you a new video bonus that complements the book.
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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