Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Hi Tomo, I don’t know why but I am having a very difficult time understanding guitar. I have been playing for a few years and I can play a few chords but that’s really about it – I am just having a difficult time clicking with understanding – my desire to play is dwindling and I feel like giving up but the truth is I really don’t want to give up because I really want to be able to play music as a way to create. I am having a difficult time sticking to the online course because there’s so much and I feel overwhelmed. Can you recommend a curriculum for me? Where should I start from and on average how long per day should I practice?

The lessons are set up so you can go in order and they build on each other so its important that you are very comfortable before moving onto the next lesson. Personally I don’t think theres an exact amount of time you should practice every day. Obviously the more you practice the better you will get and more quickly but you don’t want to burn out. Sometimes I’ll play 10 hours a day but its not because I feel like I have to, its because im still enjoying it and feel like im still getting something out of it. Some days I’ll play only 30 or 45 minutes and put it down if I’m not really feeling it.

In Tomo’s words, “don’t expect too fast”

Just my two cents. Good luck!

Hi zach, have you tried lessons with a teacher in person?
Personally my playing improved massively when I had a teacher. I've had 3 teachers for 2-3 months at a time every few years. There's something about instant feedback that is essential at certain points in your playing path IMO. That doesn't mean stop the online lessons btw, I love them, just my personal experience.

Here is Tomo's comment:

"Thanks so much for subscribing to my Guitar Wisdom. First of all, you don’t need to hurry! Maybe you need to watch each video 4-5 times. Don't worry about how long it takes. Maybe you could watch the theory videos. They can help you to understand scales (by note and degree), intervals and harmony. Please take your time! Study everything deeply."

hey zach, it might help for you to write down exactly what you're struggling with. then try brainstorming ideas for how you can overcome those barriers. spend 15 minutes focused on just trying to solve what's holding you back.

if you can figure out just one step you need to take today, that will be a great step to take.

if your goal is to create and produce music, separate the time you spend creating vs. the time you spend learning. you do not need to be great at guitar to create. you can learn as you go, but don't expect yourself to master guitar by watching all the videos at once...

there is definitely something called "analysis paralysis" which is why tomo always recommends you take your time. there's a real science behind this and why we don't take action when we're overwhelmed.

another thing is to lower the bar for yourself. you don't need to practice an hour a day, but it will greatly help you progress IF you can do that. instead, i recommend you start with 10 minutes a day at a minimum. (that's pretty easy, right? if you can't, do 5 minutes lol.)

if you are enjoying it, keep going longer than 10 minutes. if you don't feel it, at least you did 10 minutes and you can be happy with that. whatever you do, don't break the streak :)

(yes, i am saying you should practice 10 minutes every single day. it's not what most people on the internet recommend, but it works wonders.)

i applied this to music making, and it has really helped me get going. 2 years ago, i couldn't do more than 10 minutes. i stuck with that every day.

these days, i spend at least a couple hours working on music. it's a muscle to be able to do that, so don't rush the process.

part of the fun in learning something is the journey, not the destination.

i have watched so many videos of "successful artists" who all share the same sentiment about reaching their ultimate goals....

it feels like nothing changed.
ironically, the days of struggling and trying to get by were more fun than where they are now.

as a beginner, you will continue to hit bumps in the road. remind yourself to enjoy the process, not the destination.

if you focus too much on getting good, you might get to the top and wish you didn't get here so quickly... because being the top player isn't so fun anymore. nothing feels difficult and it's not enjoyable anymore.

even worse, it's just something you have to do to get paid, instead of something you do out of passion and love.

i hope that helps! don't give up, my friend.

For the past days I've been feeling the same way as Zach, the drive to play seems to be fading away. The truth is we all just have to deal with our imperfections and respect this reality whilst not forgetting that there's great timing for everything.

It's normal to get bored sometimes and try new things but if you do some self-talk and still come to a conclusion that guitar is for you no matter what then I think it's all worth the hard work and patience to get to the level that you want.

I honestly have a hard time following some of the lessons sometimes but whenever I'm faced with that challenge I just try to relax and remember my WHYS. It always goes back to how strong your reason is for starting anything.

I don't have any answers just thoughts. We all have times where we aren't feeling it. You say "I am just having a difficult time clicking with understanding". As you have mentioned there are many good guitar instructors out there and eventually you may end up in the same head space you're now feeling if you do get to your core reason for learning and improving your music expertise. Find a way for you to make learning pleasurable for you. I've been one to add my music learning's to songs or jamming with a music partner as soon as possible after learning or re-learning a concept, no matter how small the concept. Playing the concept makes me feel better because I can release my new knowledge and creativity in a melodic way. As Euri said above, Why are you learning to improve your guitar chops?