Tomo's Wisdom works and "Don't Expect Too Fast" - Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom Forums

Hello Tomo and all on the Forum,
I just wanted to share some observations as I work with Tomo's coursework here on Guitar Wisdom. As a beginner who tried to learn guitar before with little success, I decided I needed a different approach, and I really wanted to learn to play "properly", to understand the instrument. Then I found Guitar Wisdom, and I'm thrilled. I began the lessons right from the intro and beginner lessons. When Tomo made it clear that one must "learn the fretboard", I took it to heart, and drew-up a bunch of diagrams and patterns thinking they would help me. I would not say that was a waste of time as i am sure I learned something from drawing them up, but it did not help me significantly with learning the notes on the guitar. Then I simply sat down with my guitar and worked through Tomo's favorite lesson subject: "Triads", specifically C Triads. I worked through them slowly. And then again the next day, and so on until I felt that I could find them all easily. i really listened to what I was playing and singing, and thinking about the notes I was playing. And thinking about the intervals. Intervals!!! I still have plenty more work to do with just that one lesson, but there are so many positive things happening. I am thinking in a much more musical way than I was before, and I am not getting too bogged down with exactly how to find each and every note by name. I can tell that will come. i can already find all the C's and E's and G's, or the triads. Then you easily know where to find a B just below C and an F just above E. So all the notes on the fretboard are starting to fall into place. Tomo is spot on by saying that you don't memorize them, but rather, you learn them. I am taking my time. I am now even able to just listen and find any note in the C triad even if I do use a reference because I can simply hear the notes. Actually, from that C scale, I can find any note I want just by listening. I don't think I'm ever going to need to look at a fretboard diagram again if I don't want to! In fact, one of the best aspects of learning like this for me is thinking in intervals. Then it doesn't matter what key. Can't wait to start working with the other modes such as Dorian, Mixolydian, etc., but for now there is so much in working with just triads and understanding how they are becoming "familiar". When Tomo said "go slowly" on more than one occasion, I took it to heart. It is so much more satisfying to work that way. And to also think about dynamics, with lower strings being played more softly. Wow, I feel very fortunate to have such ta skilled, thoughtful and insightful instructor (need more adjectives) because I/we are truly learning the /musical approach to learning and expressing ourselves on guitar. Maybe the most amazing thing that happened as I have been working through the exercises is that some of the notes sound like they have never sounded before. There is a musicality that just wasn't there before and they sounded like MY notes, not something I had heard before! I am thrilled that I am thinking about guitar in this way because, at least for me, it takes a lot of the baggage away and the guitar just becomes a way to play the notes that are in my head. I am not comparing myself to anyone else when I play. I am listening to myself and I do feel I am discovering a "personality" as Tomo suggested. I am not expecting my progress to be too fast. There is actually a sense of satisfaction in working through a challenge slowly. And even more satisfaction understanding what you are playing rather than just being able to play it. If I play a wrong note or I don't know the note I'm playing, I don't worry. I am actually amazed how quickly that note becomes evident. I especially like working up and down the strings sometimes in conjunction with other exercises just checking intervals and singing and saying the notes. I know I have so much more to learn and explore.
As I work on Triads, I have a question for Tomo if he has time:
When I think of a C triad in any position, I immediately imagine the notes above and below the notes in the triad, like the A above the G, the F above the E and the D above the C. Is there any reason that I should limit my focus to just the triads when I am working on them or can my mind safely wander to other notes? I am listening carefully to the triad(s) I am playing. I don't know if that question makes sense, but I hope so. Maybe my question is answered later on in the curriculum, so I apologize if I'm asking a question that's already been answered. Please accept my apologies if this thread was too long. Thanks in advance, and I am so excited about continuing my guitar journey with you, Tomo! Arigatou Gozaimashita - Thank you very much, Teacher

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