Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Hi everyone!

I’ve been thinking about all the journeys happening here this year, and I’d love to hear about yours.

Watching your practice videos and reading your posts has shown how much effort goes into this journey. I don’t play guitar myself, but I see it in the videos you share, livestreams, and conversations here. I’ve noticed how the community has shifted; more people feel comfortable sharing their practice, being honest about their playing, and supporting each other along the way. That takes courage, and it’s an important piece of this place.

I’d love to hear a story from this year. It might be a moment that surprised you, a challenge you worked through, or a change you noticed in how you practice or think about music. Maybe it’s a video you posted, a question you asked, or a small insight that stuck with you.

Sharing your journey not only celebrates your effort but also reminds us that guitar playing is about curiosity, exploration, and personal experiences. These stories make progress visible — for you and for everyone.

I’m excited to read your stories and keep the conversation going. Even if you don’t usually post, your experience matters, and every perspective adds value.

Sammi

Great idea Sammi! We love you! Thank you for this thread. Fun filming yourself isn't it:-)
We appreciate all you do to help us become Guitar Wizards!
We keep learning and challenging ourselves and each other while having fun!
This year I learned so much from the bonus videos and the July Challenge on triads.

All our friends here constantly inspire me.
I made a goal in January that I was going to try to read every post.
I don't think I missed many.
Sunil really blew in here with a shot of fun and shook things up in a great way.
As his big brother :-) I love his spirit.

I surprised myself in August after Tomo mentioned trying to go 90 days straight on my sight reading.
As I approached 90 days, I felt like I was just getting started.
I decided Instead I wanted to go 1095 straight days (3 years) :-)

I really can't express how much Tomo's effort to help everyone means to me.
I just feel so dang lucky. I look forward to getting after it every single day.
Thanks again for all you and George do to support us.

Very best always,
Kurt
Day 128 of 1095 straight sight-reading days :-)

I've been playing guitar for over 2 years now, but I started making real progress when I joined Guitar Wisdom a few months ago. Many of the other forums that I am a part of did not deem it necessary to teach fundamental techniques, nor do they assist in the guitar journey as our community does.

I am so grateful for all of your patience, kindness, feedback, and instruction. Without it, I would be hopelessly confused. I have learned that it is not only okay, but it is best to go as slowly as I need to to learn guitar. I am learning to trust Tomo, George, and Sammi's guidance and follow it humbly.

I have grown to be not afraid to share my progress via videos. I so value your encouragement, support, and belief in me. Thank you all so much. Merry Christmas to you all.

Cool idea, Sammi. I’m new to GW just a couple of weeks, so hi to anyone seeing this!

This year has been jam-packed with revelation, building on the last 3 years where—after 30 years—I decided to get serious about guitar beyond cowboy chords :). Since I lead our church singing, I really want to improve in insight, feel, and dynamics. I’ve written several songs we sing at church, and I believe studying is helping a lot.

This year, I worked on stuff Guthrie Trapp teaches and took live lessons from Johnny Hiland, who convinced me to learn the neck. The best thing I’ve ever done is memorize the fretboard :).

I found Tomo about 6 months ago on YouTube, and the teaching was so clear and structured; it became clear that in order to progress, I need this style of instruction. To my pleasant surprise, GW is so much more than another place to pay monthly for access. I’ve felt welcomed and, along with the excellent approach to learning, the folks of GW are helping each other forward, it seems to me. Oh and I bought a Gibson Mandolin and learned a few songs to expand my horizons :).

I look forward to this part of my journey. Who knows, I “might” even try a jazz song! LOL. Happy Holidays!