I'm following up for your request from a recent Youtube video to learn more about your students.
I’m based in Jacksonville, Florida, and I’ve been playing guitar since 1995. Early on, I played in a band where we covered hundreds of songs and relied heavily on effects. I was comfortable with rhythm guitar, especially strumming parts, but I struggled with lead playing—solos, arpeggios, bends, and turnarounds exposed technical and theoretical gaps.
I taught myself tablature and later learned chords from books. That gave me independence, but not understanding. I could play shapes without really knowing how chords were built or how they functioned. Writing and improvising felt limited because I didn’t fully grasp harmony.
After studying for nine months with a strong local teacher, many of those gaps began to close. Discovering Guitar Wisdom accelerated that process. I now use triads across the neck regularly and incorporate diminished harmony into my playing. I’m developing a clearer understanding of modes and minor scales, and I maintain a weekly rotation of ten jazz standards from The Real Book, including “Anthropology,” which is my favorite. Before this phase of study, I hadn’t truly learned blues structure or any jazz language in a meaningful way. Those styles are now central to my practice.
My current goals are ear-based and musical. I want to hear a song and confidently determine the key, recognize common progressions (like I–IV–V or I–IV–vi–I), and know what language to use over it. I’m inspired by players like Steve Lukather who can elevate a song by adding parts that enhance rather than clutter it. I want my playing to improve the music, not just sit on top of it.
Transcribing is difficult for me. I can usually identify individual notes, but I struggle to hear chord quality. Distinguishing major from minor in context can be challenging, and extended or altered harmonies (minor 6, major 7, augmented, etc.) are even harder. I’m especially challenged by hearing interval differences such as minor 6ths versus minor 2nds strictly by ear.
I practice daily. I usually play straight into the amp with no effects. I don’t consistently use a metronome. I’ve tried recording myself, but I tend to tighten up and feel like I lose ability once I hit record.
Musically, I want to confidently outline chord changes, target 3rds and 7ths, use enclosures intentionally, and play over ii–V–I progressions without losing the form. I love playing blues and working through jazz standards.
Thank you for reading about my journey.
-Karl