Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

My two-cents:

Music is a language, and we use that language to create and communicate with others (or ourselves). And progress can be measured within that framework.

For beginners, it’s okay to look at the fretboard and slowly find notes and chords. You have to learn the alphabet and simple words before your sentences make sense.

Intermediates can play with (some) intent, and they can “say things” and communicate with other musicians. They can play some chords and make some music, but they come up against their limits after a few songs.

The language starts to open up for advanced players. In addition to having some technical proficiencies in their fingers, they can embark on a process of discovery in order to communicate what is in their heart. They don’t know where the solo is going, but they know it’s going to be good.

I also believe, however, that true artistry can occur at any of these levels. I’m always amazed at how some artists can take just a few simple notes and create something amazing and beautiful (Freddie King, anyone?). They have transcended the beg / int / adv categories. Three chords strummed fluently can have the same power as a blazing guitar riff.

I love listening to the forum members during the July Challenge. There’s music there!

Thanks for reading.

Wow this was so cool to read Linda.
You should write a book. If you do I will read it

Thank you Jeff for encouragement!

Linda can write a book! Lovely writing!

So good!

Tomo

Wow, so many expressions and all worthy noted. Making sense in several ways on different levels of distinction; a very complex question. On the catch up here..

To me describing a level will always be an arbitrary mix of the three top to bottom. I think it goes along the lines of who, where, what, why, and how. To break it down it goes like this:

Beginners are in the limited position of how do I do this?

Intermediate is in the position of what do I do with this?

Advanced has a musically correct ear and rhythm that has developed to instantly imagine the direction of where to go, what to do, and why applied in real time during studio or improvisational musical compositions. The music will speak to its own. Like speaking an expressive language between muscians that have that conversation musically. Conductors or producers are advanced in that they know how to draw out the words, sentences, and stories.

One caveat is that an intermediate is also a beginner. Also, Advanced is also a beginner and intermediate rolled into one. - johno

Johno....love this. Especially "Beginners are in the limited position of how do I do this? Intermediate is in the position of what do I do with this?"

And...."an intermediate is also a beginner. Also, Advanced is also a beginner and intermediate rolled into one".

Cool guys :) it is a mix of always learning at every stage. We all want to be better and we get what we put in. The more advanced, the faster things get worked out and put out on the fly. Either way, practice is important, foundation and all the 'exercises' keep the guitar in check for a better happy healthly day. Still climbing :) - johno

Hi guys ! Today I have a new idea about this question .

The beginner , Intermediate , Adventures , all journey is about music and express yourself with music & with instrument be free .
The way be set life free :)

Beginner , work need focus on prepare things . Prepare the foundation technique , Note & Ear ability, knowledge you need . And in a listen stage , more listening can help learn new language .

The Intermediate already have some foundation and Note in body , so this level can learn the stander song in the stage , but limit in what this stage need . Still keep the foundation building , keep listing .Can do music express with the instrument .

Advanced : Already have capability to express themself . But need to be beyond the all they already have .
Very agree that , “intermediate is also a beginner. Also, Advanced is also a beginner and intermediate rolled into one. ”
This is so great thread , Let's talking and climbing !

For sure Jiayang, I hope the guitar gives a sense of fresh, free, release yourself. Always looking forward and looking up! - johno

Professor, I copied your list, which was in answer to a question from Ralph. I think it is worth repeating here, but I have a question; would you be so kind as to supply a very short list (maybe 5 to 8) of recordings you consider “good old music or old records” that you feel would help beginners to appreciate some of the qualities that you want us to work toward infusing in our practices with a few words on what we should be listening for on each one.

Thanks again Ralph for sharing your thought on this topic.
Let's say you have 3 hours to practice.
1) Beginner
- Listening good old music / 2 hours (Could be repeat same album 2 times a day)
- Chromatic 1212 / 15 min
- Triad Inversions for muting / 15 min
- R 3 7 Swing Groove / 15 min
- Improvisation / 15 min
2) Intermediate
- Listening old records / One hour
- Chromatic 1212 / 15 min
- R 3 7 Swing Groove / Blues, jazz blues. jazz standards / 30 min
- Bending or any extra techniques or triad application / 15 min
- Transcribing / Chords or Single note solo / 30 min
- Improvisation / 30 min
3) Advanced
- Chromatic 1212 / 15 minutes
- R 3 7 Swing Groove / Jazz Standards / 15 min
- Practice with a metronome MORE / 30 min
- Listen yourself more often / 30 min (Even 2 min recording repeat 15 times!)
- Work on rhythm guitar styles / 30 min
- Improvisation or Transcribing / One hour

When I read the very first response, from Clay, to your question a few days ago, I said to myself, “Well, no need to respond to this one, Clay has said it all, and I totally agree with everything he has said.” Then I read on and found many more truly insightful and interesting responses. At this point, I am sure there is absolutely nothing more I can add or say. So, I will say something.
First, I love the site's organization! Having strings of videos/lessons (labeled sections) from which a user can pick and choose any video they want to watch, and perhaps practice and learn from it.
Second, in the series of videos/lessons (or section) entitled “Welcome to Guitar Wisdom” and the video called “Learning with Guitar Wisdom” I love that he says, “There is no perfect way for everyone to learn at Guitar Wisdom. Everyone is different and everyone must find their own path”. Also, the two questions are incredibly powerful in helping people decide where to start. However, I do feel that the video/lesson in the Foundation: Technique section entitled “FT Practice Routine – 3 Things to Do” should be either mandatory or strongly advised for anyone just starting out in GW.
Finally, my hopefully humorous take on the definition of Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced guitar players.
A beginner goes up to a professional guitar player/singer/songwriter during a break in a performance and asks, “Do you give private lessons?” thinking that if s/he can get lessons from this great guitarist, s/he will be playing like Ed Gerhard or Andres Segovia in a month or two.
An intermediate goes up to the same performer and asks the same question, thinking it will take a year or two.
Meanwhile, though she would never say it out loud, the professional performer is thinking, “These two have not got a clue!”

This is a great take Richard. I think iis definitely true. Unless you have spent some time trying to play you may not appreciate yet what is involved. And for most of us there is not an end to how long , it’s more a never ending journey

No worries Ralph, better late than never. I agree that discipline and time tradeoff. Now time to get better with hopefully continuous improvement. . A chef is tough job, hope you are cooking up some tasty FOOD. I was always told, know your temperatures and ingredients. I could use some sweet tangy jazz! - johno

That’s amazing Ralph. I like cooking too but very much a beginner. I still do it like being taste tester too. I bet that’s going to help a lot in your guitar journey too. White Stratocaster club

Cooking is fun!
But cooking is so deep too!

Tomo

What I love about cooking and food is the music in it . It isn't about one ingredient but the relationship of all the elements . Texture, temperature .. so many