Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

in my playing because the improvements are so gradual, but here's a little story.

I've been listening to a lot of country lately, specifically Vince Gill (monster player btw if you've never heard him play, YouTube a live version Oklahoma Borderline and be prepared to lift your jaw from the floor). Anyway, I came across a video in his house with some aspiring musicians and they do a version of an old hymn. I get that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but give it a listen. The hymn they do is How Great Thou Art. The video on YouTube is labeled "Vince Gill picked up a guitar and what happened next was remarkable".

Anyway, both Vince and one other musician are playing acoustic guitars. At one point, Vince gives the other player 8 bars to solo. The second time I was listening to it, I picked up my guitar and played along. I took those 8 bars and actually played something that followed the chords, used good phrasing and ended on the root of the chord on beat 1 of bar 9.

I've been spending so much time on the foundation stuff like triads triads triads, R37, and blues etudes that I hadn't been really playing much non-practice music. I've been really trying to focus on the "don't expect too fast" part of the mantra.

Being one of the "learn the pentatonic shapes and never improve" guys, those 8 bars were HUGE! I didn't automatically go for a shape, I put my hands in positions to play triads and to be able to play through the chord changes. My note choices were intentional and not just in a shape.

I guess, actually no, there's no guessing about it. All of the foundation work, all of the lessons that I've watched, all of the triads and triad arpeggios I've been practicing, all of the answers to questions I've posted in the forum, all of the ear training, all of the transcription and analysis I've been doing are paying off in a BIG WAY even if you can't see it every day.

So keep at it! Tomo's method works!

From Tomo, Sammi and George down to everyone who spends time on this forum offering your experience and advice, you are all appreciated more than you know. Keep at it kids!!! IT'S WORKING!

Hi Matt, thanks for sharing your great experience and interesting video.
You inspire me that a strong foundation in fundamentals will surely lead to progress.
I would also like to take the time to analyze that solo performance.
Let's keep going!

Great story Matt - thanks for sharing. Totally motivational. And I guess I'll have to check out Vince Gill.

Matt , This is so brilliant ! You did it !
This is really inspiration me , Thank you .

Hi Matt
So happy for you thanks for sharing, have fun exploring your musicality. I'm following your route but still waiting for "that" moment.

Hay Matt, Great revelation on stepping out of the pentatonic box. Happy to hear the progress of new applications in practice. The commitment to practice vs. non-practice is tricky. I am with similar approach in practice leaving playing same old songs on the shelf to collect dust. I do think it is good to take a break and trade off between practice and playing in a single session. Lately start practice end playing any familiar or unfamiliar song applying all the new learnings. We get out what we put in, so let's keep going! - johno

Indeed! It really works! Today I had an important rehearsal with my band for some summer gigs and i really felt improvements with familiarity and more confidence with the instrument and improvising with my friends! I'm so happy for this journey! 🙏🌞 Lets keep going!! GW rules!

Very inspiring and motivating post, Matt. Thanks for sharing!

I could have sworn I replied to this, but alas, never too late...
Let's go Matt! Thank you so much for sharing your "aha" moment. What a great reminder that the work you are all doing is meaningful. Every small effort adds up, and you never know when a breakthrough is around the corner!
Keep practicing friends :)