Hello,
I started watching Mr. Tomo Fujita's videos a few weeks ago, and I've really enjoyed his demeanor and approach, not to mention his playing.
I started playing when I was 13 but didn't enjoy it much and quit for many years. When I did pick it back it, I focused on just learning songs. Fast forward, my daughter picked up playing guitar and wanted to try out for the high school jazz band (which she got into). I took lessons from her teacher as well. I enjoyed it but it felt like a firehose of info (as the teacher thought too highly of my ability and knowledge). Then COVID and life challenges came along.
So, here I am, at 61. Fujita's "Be Kind" and "Be Patient" really sing to me. And I love getting away from memorizing shapes, scales, etc. to a focus on being musical and, frankly, starting more simply. As a huge BB King fan, a simpler approach like the BB box resonates with me. My goal isn't to be the best, fastest, or even to join a band. But it's to make music however I can to the best of *my* ability (and age).
For what it's worth, I'm doing relaxation exercises before starting each day's practice. I'm looking for focus, relaxation, and fun. After watching several of Fujita's videos, I have a plan for each session that might seem like the scales-theory-exercise routine, but to me, it's very different and highlights the purpose of each part of the practice:
o Learn to play well & cleanly (chromatic scales, BB riffs, etc.)
o Learn the guitar (triads)
o Be musical (chord progressions, phrases, songs, etc.)
Then, at the end of each practice, write in my guitar dairy -- my observations, notes for improvement, insights, even ruminations on how guitar connects to other parts of my life.
Play. Every day.