Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Just signed up and im having some trouble understanding how to approach the material on guitar wisom from my level.

Here is some background about my ability.
Before I stopped playing I mostly noodled around with the a blues scale, but mostly just in that boxed position at the 5th fret. I don't know other scales or how to use them. Was obsessed with John mayor and blues rock. I always wanted to be able to play those quick sharp blues solos.

I know open major chords A-G (at 1st position)
I know the notes of the G clef, but can't sight read music, and don't know how it translates to the fretboard. I understand basic timing. Played clarinet in high-school band so im familiar, but I wouldn't say I took it seriously enough to be musically competent.

Mostly got by on tabs when I did try to learn songs and played mostly power chords and simple lead licks.

I can pick out all of the 'A' note positions on the fretboard between frets 1-12 but I'm still learning.

Always wanted to be able to jam but never quite got it.

I used to be able to play 'say it ain't so by Weezer' in its entirety solo and all by heart, im sure I still could physically play it I just dont remember everything. Not the most complicated song but I knew all the guitar parts and im just trying to give an idea of my ability to play.

I always wanted to be able to play faster stuff like van hallen, still do, but I'm also into the idea of learning more about funk and jazz. Lately I've gotten into progressive bands like Chon, Polyphia, Strawberry girls, and they inspired me to pick the guitar back up.

I feel like I'm lacking some of the fundamentals, but I don't feel like I need to go all the way back to learning open chords and how to count 4/4 time, but I dont want to dive too deep too fast.

My goal is to develop an actual simple practice routine that I can do every day. Learning some theory is a given, but where do I start with the actual guitar lessons on guitar wisom?

If someone could get me pointed in the right direction I would really appreciate the help.

Thanks

hey matthew,

you're in a good place to learn. i joined in oct, had been playing daily for a few years, and have progressed quite a bit. i owe it all to tomo's teachings.

i used to follow justinguitar, and it was good, but his teachings never blew my mind the way tomo has.

so there's a few things you said:
1) I always wanted to be able to play those quick sharp blues solos. [like john mayer]
2) Always wanted to be able to jam but never quite got it.
3) I'm also into the idea of learning more about funk and jazz

and what i would do is first, get into the mindset that you don't need to rush through the process to get to where you want. as someone who aspires to be like the pro, it's easy to try and make your way to the top as soon as possible.

don't rush the process. really enjoy the journey and all the struggle that comes with it :D

tomo's approach is very much "be kind to yourself," "don't worry!" "don't expect too fast" - the last one is the most important, in my opinion.

so, where do you start?

i suggest you pick up blues, specifically learning towards solo'ing. some tools you need are playing chords, understanding the 12 bar blues, and basic understanding of scales so you can start practicing blues phrasing.

start with music theory i, and learn the major/minor scales.

one scale a week is totally fine. don't feel like you need to rush. i had been playing for years, and already understood basic scales, but i still took my time when learning scales.

at the same time, go through foundations ii and those will give you the fundamentals of blues.

somewhere along the way, you're going to learn about triads. triads will really help take your blues solo to the next level because it gives you more choices to spice up your solo.

the fundamentals are equivalent to basic ingredients for a dish.

know what the basic ingredients of the blues are so you can make your own blues solo (a dish) by starting with music theory i and foundations ii.

in music theory i, you'll start to learn some chord progressions that you can practice with the scale you're learning. those chords can become the backing track for you to do your first jam.

as you build your confidence alone first, you will develop the confidence to jam with any guitar players.

finally, if you're looking to venture into funk and jazz, i highly recommend you do blues before you go into funk/jazz. the chord names are going to make your brain fizz out lol.

you know, "e flat minor 7 flat 5"lol wut.

but once you've got the fundamentals of major/minor scales, basic blues, and triads down, you can start to go into the other modes of the major/minor scales - melodic minor, harmonic minor, etc.

that's where you start getting funk and jazz kind of chords & rhythms.

tomo and george did a great job organizing all of the videos. you can literally start from the beginning, and if you don't understand something, just go back one video.

if you still don't get it, go back another video until everything starts to make sense and you're ready to move on.

you really can't go wrong whichever way you go. just pay attention to what interests you most, and figure out what you need to know in order to get there.

good luck, and i'll be here to answer any other questions if you have any!

I really appreciate you taking the time to write all of this. I've been focused on the sight reading this past day still finding my way through section 2.

Learning not to rush has always been very difficult for me; this applies to all aspects of my life.

Reading triads and keeping time is difficult, even reading the notes is tough. I've been trying not to rush. Tomo says dont try to practice too much its just about reading the notes. I always find myself getting too focused on minor details.

I can read the notes, but I find myself always feeling as if I dont know what im really looking at. This goes double when the chords show up, I have no idea what the names are and it feels like it takes for ever to read 3 notes.

I also just watched the first theory and foundations ii video. I think thats enough to keep me struggling for a few days. I'm very unfamiliar with scale degrees and the fretboard note names in general.

Im trying to take my time and actually learn the fret board. "Being kind to myself" not worrying, and keeping my expectations in check are things I've always struggled with, but tomo's attitude and playing caught my attention and I've been inspired to try a little harder.

I also have watched Justin back before I stopped playing; I was never quite inspired like I have been by tomo. (Sorry Justin)

As I've gotten older my musical tastes have really expanded. I find that every time I listen to somthing new I am always saying "I wish I could play like this." Sorry I tend to ramble on sometimes.

I will definitely keep everything you said in mind. On the first log in, seeing all of the videos its a bit overwhelming. After watching the first blues lesson, I think I might end up jumping back a few videos to see what I am missing.

Thanks again for your reply.

I really like 'Don't kill your enjoyed for the timer' comment!

What I have been working on is . . .

I scrolled way down the content page until I saw 'Lessons 1-12'.
I started with lesson one, taking my time, remembering to enjoy life and playing guitar. I'm now enjoying Lesson 6.

There is no rush. Be kind to yourself and remember to breathe deeply and slowly.

We will all be here to help as much as we can. :-)

Here is Tomo's comment:

"Thanks so much for subscribing to my Guitar Wisdom. The basic idea is to learn by understanding intervals (music theory). Watch the theory videos (especially major scales) and triads lessons first. Then, try learning Root 3rd 7th Swing Rhythm Guitar. This will help you to understand 7th chords and develop your left-hand muting technique. Jump into the Sight-Reading Series, if you want to learn how to read music and improve your technique."