Hi, everyone. I wanted to start us off with a comment to get the ball rolling. I would LOVE it if you could leave a short comment introducing yourself to the other members. I’m Dan Thorpe, from Birmingham, UK (not Alabama!). I love fingerpicking – Paul Simon, James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel and about a gazillion others! My favourite thing about playing guitar is having some quiet time to play for myself (music is a great outlet for everything in life) and to jam with my 4 year old boy, Archie! I used to be terrible at guitar but after years… Read more »
Hey everyone, I would love to know what lessons you would like to learn. More on fingerpicking, Travis picking, chord changes, theory, jamming???… you name it, leave your ideas below!! This is the place to do so.
Hi Dan, I am an intermediate player, but am fascinated about finger style, and very anxious to get started. But i must admit i do struggle a bit with the dreaded Barr Chords, but am improving a bit. I am a Viet Nam vet, who suffers from PTSD, I am very private, so if you don’t hear much from me please understand. Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch. It`s great to have you here. Barre chords are tough but do make sure you take your time and use good technique with them.
No problem at all regarding being private and I hope you are doing well regarding the PTSD. Just know that the comments section and the mini-forum is there for you when needed. All the best.
Cool, for sure, let us know some more details. What sort of slaps and slides? The crazy stuff or solid on beats 2 and 4 type thing? What sort of guitarists have inspired this? (I ask, so I know I’m on the right path). 🙂
No particular artist comes to mind but I would say on beats 2 and 4 nothing crazy (yet). Slapping all the strings I find okay, it’s the thumb slap I have trouble with on the low E A strings.
I have come across slaps in the odd piece of music, done right sounds amazing. Just something I would like to add to my repertoire.
Ah, okay cool, thanks for letting me know. The slaps on beats 2 and 4 are very cool. The grooves these can add are great. Will get something ready on this. 🙂
If you would like to submit a video, you can add it to your comment by including a video LINK (for example, a YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox link). (Email Dan for help if you get stuck uploading a video)
YouTube and Vimeo links are the preferred video format. Make sure that your links are set to unlisted (not private!) and then only we will see it.
Hopefully, you have all noticed the new comments section at the bottom of each page in the DTAA! I would love for you to comment, ask questions and say “hi”!
I printed out the black and white version. I think this will help me focus on what to practice and learn. I’m currently trying to get Jingle Bells down. I can play Happy Birthday and can almost play Drunkin Sailor without mistakes. I usually have to play a few old songs I’ve known for years. I still like them, but as my brother said one time, they are not recognizable unless I sing and I can’t sing lol. Maybe I’ll eventually learn how to make those songs knowable when I get the fingerpicking down better and learn the notes better.… Read more »
Glad to hear it. Yep, as I always say, the guitar is for life (or at least it should be). This plan will hopefully keep you focused every day while allowing for lots of fun. Plenty more coming in regard to using and applying and achieving this plan too. 🙂
Creativity, lack of it, or a way to get it started is a common denominator for many of us who have “fooled around” with a guitar for years. And I am very much a part of the crowd. Hard to jam when one has hardly ever even been able to open the jar. You just opened up that jar for me Dan. A start that each of us can work on and add to. Perfect! Thank you.
Thanks, Peter. That’s a lovely comment. Jamming is not easy, but if you can be methodical about it you can open up many jars and have lots of fun. Do let us know how you get on and I hope you keep finding inspiration from this lesson. 🙂
I’m Ashlie from Ohio, USA. I grew up listening to Peter, Paul, and Mary, John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. Presently, I am inspired by Alela Diane, Shannon Lay, and Andrea von Kampen.
I started to learn the guitar this summer with in person lessons. I’ve learned enough to know that I want to learn a lot more–even while I am often frustrated with how hard it is for me to learn. I am fine with a long learning journey, but I think the DTAA will help me to focus and enjoy the journey more.
Hello Ashlie, very nice influences there. Some great artists. It’s early days for you but pleasing that you are obviously passionate about the guitar. I hope you find the DTAA will give you everything you need and a good solid plan for the long term, while helping you make real progress in the here and now. Any questions, let us know. 🙂
Hello everyone, my name is Rich…I currently live in New Hampshire, but was born in NYC and spent time in Tampa, Florida and Massachusetts as well. I an 57 years old and have been playing for a little more than 4 years. I love classic rock, but am a true lover of many types of music. I have a nice setup of guitars and amps in my basement…I enjoy playing and practicing several evenings per week.
Hello Rich, welcome aboard. Delighted you are here. That’s a nice variety of music you have there. I hope you enjoy the DTAA, the lessons, “5-Star” Award and everything else. If you have any questions, do let us know. 🙂
It might be helpful if we knew where to find the things we need to learn. I know I saw the scales and chord progressions somewhere but I am not sure where – somewhere in a blues lesson. I also know you discussed the pentatonic scale in a blues lesson and major scales in the in focus. But where are the blues scales and natural minor scales? Also, I need to spend some serious time with my theory book . . . .
Glad you asked. That is coming. I’ll be building out a page with resources to find those individual things quickly as a reference. I did consider holding off releasing the “5-Star” Award until that was done but better for everyone to know what is in the award and get started. The resources will be coming very soon though. 🙂
Of course, there will be plenty more lessons and advice coming to help you and all other members achieve all of this plan. Will take time to achieve it though (as well as time for me to add the extras) so please be patient. I want all the DTAA lessons to work hand in hand and help drive you forward with this plan while allowing for lots of fun times too. 🙂
My pleasure, Dennis. Delighted you are enjoying it, and you see the possibilities of what you can do. I hope this lesson gets you started in letting all that creativity out. Enjoy and let us know how you get on. 🙂
Ah, that is a shame that some comments didn’t make it. Will look into that. Anyway, pleased to hear you like it. Enjoy and I hope it helps you keep focused and have more fun. 🙂
Hello everyone, I am Allan from Indiana in the good ole USA. I started guitar at the age of 70 when I retired. I had played piano and violin until I was about 20 and then life got busy so I quit playing. I am enjoying the lessons and Dan you style of teaching suits me very well. I am looking forward to the 5 star method and think it will motivate me to become a good guitarist. I am just a little too laid back at the moment and just don’t always push myself to do things. I must… Read more »
Hi Allan. Nice to read this comment. Laid back is okay as you always want to be having fun but I hope the ‘5-Star’ Award will help you take your playing and your fun levels to the next level. Cheers for being a great long-term member and I hope you keep enjoying it. 🙂
Absolutely, pretty much a guarantee to build proper muscle memory using the ’10x Method’. The more you do it, especially with focus and good technique, the better. 🙂
Dan, Thank you for the challenge that this 5 star review brings to us, me especially. Really appreciate your time and effort putting this together. See you in the 5th star review soon.
This is very cool. I’ve always been using “to do” lists in other areas of my life. But never seen one like this for guitar. You obviously put a lot of effort into this, Dan. Brilliant.
Printing this out and looking at this daily is a nice challenge and motivating as well. Already noticed some areas I need to work on. Thanks for putting this together!
Cheers, Don. Yeah, it took some time but it’s worth it if it helps you and all the other members. My pleasure putting it together and super pleased to be able to get it out there for you all. 🙂
I LOVE this type of lesson Dan!!! What I like is that it helps bring a lot of techniques together and makes practicing them enjoyable! Should be fun coming up with different variations!! GREAT lesson!!
Cheers, Logan. Pleased to hear it. Yeah, I’m glad you noticed that. I wanted to make sure I bring various elements taught in other DTAA lessons and other resources into one place. I think that is important when teaching a concept such as being creative. Glad you are liking it and thanks for the comment. 🙂
Hi, I’m Roy. I live in Birmingham, near to Dan. I am retired and have tried over the years to play the guitar with little success. I now have more free time to improve my playing. I switched to playing classical style after hurting my shoulder with the causal position. This was caused by the sharp corner of the guitar pressing on the crook of my arm. So I was pleased to learn that this is position used by Dan. I recently bought a Taylor Academy nylon string guitar which is perfect for me. It has a low action and… Read more »
Hi Roy, welcome aboard. Very near indeed! I wonder how far you are from me. The Taylor sounds like a really nice one to play and I’m glad you are finding the classical position to help so far. Let’s do it – enjoy the course and let us know how you get on. 🙂
Love this, Dan! When I started making real progress was when I started making a specific plan for daily practice. This will give all of us in DTAA a specific plan to work on. I’m a couple days into COVID and feel like crap, so that’s probably gonna slow me down for a few days. But I will get on this as I can.
Cheers, Larry. Glad to hear it. Took a bit of thinking to get it just right as there are so many things I could have put on it but these are the essentials for sure. I hope you recover quickly from covid and all the best. 🙂
Well done to Dennis Sullivan, Larry Fleeman, and Teresa Halvorson-Fox for winning the gold, silver, and bronze prizes for November 2023! The winner for best comment goes to Maxwell Iles who left a really good comment here. Congrats to you all, prizes on the way. 🙂
Trying this with some small success. Have a long way to go but all the time in the world to work on it. Looking forward to the new stuff coming out . . . .
Great lesson. Not looking at the hands is always a very important skill to develop. I’ve found that to be true in so many endeavors. For example: if you can drive a manual transmission car, do you still look at your hand when shifting? I think not. Thanks, Dan!
Good stuff, and nice comparison to driving. It could be fatal there but absolutely can be fatal for our musicality. Good news though, with conscious effort we can all improve it. Pleased you found this useful. 🙂
Good stuff, yeah, the click is the ultimate taskmaster – it never flatters, lies, or try to charm us! The effort we have to put in with it is worth it though. 🙂
Hello everyone! I’m from Missouri. I’m 73 years old and have played various instruments since about age 10. I am very melody driven and a poor singer. Thus, my interest in finger style training. I worked with guitar for a short few years while in my 30’s, but job travel interfered. I’m back to learn some songs to entertain myself and close friends and family. Those songs would include works by Jimmy Buffet, Kansas, and other songs from that era. I am hoping that DTAA will help to sharpen my practice focus since I’ve spent too much time jumping around… Read more »
Hi Steve, welcome aboard. Pleased you’re here and ready to enjoy your playing some more. There will be a few little changes to the DTAA in next few days which will make the journey and clarity even better and will help you achieve those goals. I hope you’re enjoying it so far and there is more to come. 🙂
This is my favorite Christmas Carol so I have spent a bunch of time on it (have been playing/working on several others too). Today I finally licked the little bit that wasn’t very smooth. Hubby heard me playing it and said “That sounds really good.” I don’t play for him, just for me, but I won’t pretend that wasn’t nice to hear!
Super pleased you’re enjoying it. Yeah, keep playing for you but it’s always nice to get a lovely compliment like that I bet. We are all human after all. Keep enjoying it, love playing this one too. 🙂
So I was having trouble with a small bit in one of the new Christmas songs. I figured out which measure was causing the problems and played it slowly ten times. Then when I got that, I played it a little faster ten times. Then I played it and the next measure ten times slowly and then ten times a little faster. Next I added the measure before the problem and played all three ten times slowly and then faster ten more times. Works. I can now play the song pretty well. Just takes a little patience and it all… Read more »
Good stuff. That sort of focus and zoning in on the weaker areas is very powerful – it’s a great skill to develop. The ’10x Method’ takes concentration but is powerful and sounds like you’ve been using it brilliantly. Well done 🙂
Not been very active using this site this month. But rest assured I am practicing hard with all the lessons. I have taken a step back to concentrate on what I have learnt, rather than trying to do everything at once. I had become too overwhelmed with the content on this site, like a kid in a candy shop. I could feel the gatekeepers presence so needed to avert from his attention. Slow and easy practice has really paid off, I definitely feel that good progress has been made this month. I was really starting to doubt my skills but… Read more »
Glad to hear you have been doing some great practice. Yes, even though there is plenty here, it is wise to take your time, and digest what you have learnt. Have the occassional refresh of the key lessons too. Good you are keeping your eyes peeled for the Gatekeeper – he is always lurking. Thanks for the kind words and pleased you’re enjoying the journey 🙂
Keith Clement
6 days ago
Hi there I’ve just received the beginner course I also received Christmas carols and 101 finger picking courses I did order them in the wrong way round but I can get to grips with them
I’m a very late starter I will be 75 in January but I may be a little slow but I’m going to give it my best shot
The courses at first glance look well structured especially the Christmas carols all the best and have a great Christmas one and all
Hi Keith, glad you have them. That is a good bunch of courses that will help you in many ways. I really hope you enjoy the courses and learn plenty. Do keep us posted with how you get on and enjoy 🙂
Yeah, it is so cool, apart from makes me sound like I’ve had too many brandys. Haha. You’re right though, slow and steady is so important when practicing. Glad it helps 🙂
HELP! My primary computer is a kindle fire. I have NO PROBLEM DONLOADING Dans tabs to it, BUT I amnot able to send them to my printer. Does anyone have a solution to this issue.
TY,, IN ADVANCR.
Dan…..This is a fingerpicking life saver. 2 things that REALLY help are the technique lessons being more focused and how to learn a new melody utilizing your 3 step program. I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Hope it isn’t a train.😁
Glad to hear it, Dennis. Yeah, the focus is good and this is very specific stuff for these songs but useful all round. Ha, definitely not a train, we won’t have you derailing your progress any time soon. 🙂
I realize that not looking at fretting hand position improves with practice. That said, I am finding that some lack of smooth playing can be attributed, in my case, to switching my attention between the fretting hand and reading the sheet music. This usually occurs during the early stages of learning a song, before memorization becomes effective. Do any exercises come to mind to speed the process. I guess guitar and keyboard players share the same challenge. As an old sax player, tracking hand position was never a consideration. Also, good information on two finger picking. I am used to… Read more »
Yeah, like you say, some of this issue is natural at first when learning a song. That’s why it’s good to try to learn in small chunks, remember the chunks, and then you can focus fully on the hands. For memory, the 10x Method as mentioned in the Getting Started section is very powerful, as is writing down the notes. Saying the notes out loud as you play them can be useful too. Keep at it and keep enjoying it. 🙂
Hi Dan, Love this course. When I listened to your medley you played on your promo I thought Good King Wenceslas was going to be the most difficult, it sounds great yet turned out to be simple to learn. I have parts 1&2 down pretty good and ready to start part 3. Great price for the course I couldn’t pass on this one and will be using it for years to come!
Cheers, Art. Yeah, some songs can be deceptive. I love it when they turn out to be easier than expected. I have played around with this arrangement in a variety of keys over some time, but the key of D is perfect for this song. Pleased you are enjoying it and I hope you get many years of fun from the course and these carols. 🙂
Really great stuff! Loved getting a look under the hood of Dan Thorpe Guitar Academics 😁. You put so much into what you do, Dan. That’s why I think you’re so good at what you do, and why it works so well.
I wish I knew of one but google is your best bet. The best luthier I found round here is someone who I found on google. Try typing in your area and keywords such as “luthier”, “custom made guitars”, and “handmade guitars”, If there are any luthiers in your area, this should give you results. 🙂
The short answer is that there is no definitive answer. I’m no luthier or pro in this area but I always, always go with feel. I’ve spoken with a few luthiers and they all seem to have their own measurements and benchmarks but a lot depends on the player – if you use light strings and play really aggressively, the action will need to be different than if you play gently with heavy strings. I hope that helps. 🙂
certainly does help and makes me ready to try a set of 12s instead of the 10s I nomally use. It may make the MPR exercise a little easier to tell me if I am really using MPR.TY sensei😃
Not in this course, Dennis. I played about with an arrangement of it a few years ago but it wouldn’t fit this course as I couldn’t simplify it enough while getting it to still sound great. There are too many chord changes and stuff in that one. At some point, I’d like to teach that but it would be a bigger and more complex lesson I think, unlike these ones here. I hope you enjoy these and let us know how you get on. 🙂
Grabbed this course the second I read the email! Super happy about it as these are carols that I really love – especially Good King Wenceslas. I have already started working on it and am certain I will have it down before Christmas! Thank you so much!
Glad to hear it. Yeah, they are a wonderful bunch of carols and glad you love them too. Pleased you’re enjoying it so far. Keep us posted with how you get on and enjoy. 🙂
Hi Dan.
I have purchased 14 other courses from you which as advanced my fingerstyle technique.
The thought if applying this to some Christmas Carols at an affordable price was a no brainer for me.
Looking forward to it.
Regards
Tony from Lancaster. UK 🇬🇧
Hi Tony, pleased you are here and ready to enjoy these carols. Ah, 14 of them, that’s cool. The good thing is, all the lessons I teach in those resources will tie in nicely with this course and these songs (and vice versa). I hope you enjoy it and let us know how you get on. 🙂
I am very excited about starting this course from what I can see online and reading your books you are very knowledgeable teacher. I am 66 years old and retired, and I play the guitar at the age of 12 with a few lessons for a year, but all they taught me were chords, and I got boring so I quit. so I want to take up finger style guitar and make it sound prettier and with more style and heartfelt feelings on how you feel when you’re playing. I have an acoustic guitar and electric guitar so I’m hoping… Read more »
Thanks for the kind words, Christine. Super pleased you are here, and ready to make some beautiful and hopefully inspiring music. It is so key to be patient, have fun and work on those basics. If you do, you will make progress and hopefully fall in love with the guitar. Keep us posted with how you get on and enjoy. 🙂
I enjoyed this lesson and learned some really helpful new things. I’m definitely looking forward to improving my finger picking tone! I’ve never tried playing my guitar in the classical position before so it feels a little awkward, but I’m sure it will become more comfortable with time. To my surprise, I found that I was able to change chords noticeably faster and more accurately with my guitar in this position. I also discovered that the F chord I’ve been working on sounded much clearer and way less fuzzy than it did prior to switching positions. Focusing on technique is… Read more »
Hi Pam, pleased to hear it. Yeah, the classical position will get easier. If it is a struggle, choose one thing to practice in this position each day, and play that thing every day in this position. When that gets easier you will find switching over to the classical position for everything will be easier. Awesome news about the faster and more accurate chord changes, that’s a really good breakthrough already. Keep up the great practice. 🙂
Pulled this out to use to learn the London fingerpicking pattern. It sounded so great on that little video you posted a few days ago. My playing doesn’t sound as good as yours . . . Yet. But I will keep working on it and will get there.
Thanks, you will get there. Keep at it, took me time to develop that pattern. You’ll nail it. Slow practice and focusing on a nice tone is key for that pattern 🙂
So now that I have figured out that the click is not my enemy . . . This was very helpful and really good practice. I seem to find something new here each month – something I have never done or something I really did not think I could ever do. As I find these things, I work on them and add them to my repertoire. I was good at what I was playing before I started here but I am amazed at how much my guitar playing knowledge (and skill) has grown since I joined DTAA.
I absolutely love this Dan! I listened to this through earlier and then played through with you just now (up until you did the fancy stuff at the end 😊). This is a song I’ve played around with over the years, but you make it come alive. I’m past the two strums per bar already, but it don’t quite have the P D DUDU down yet – 75% maybe. But this is one I’ll want to add to my bag.
Hi, I’m Pam. I live in Minnesota and I’m 60 years old. I’m a beginner and have been playing my guitar everyday for about a year now. My uncle, Rob Ehlers, was a luthier and he made me the most beautiful guitar with one simple condition that I had to learn how to play it. Fulfilling this promise to him has been an absolute joy and I think he would be happy at how much pleasure I get playing his guitar. Fingerpicking style is totally new to me and I am really looking forward to learning some new skills and… Read more »
Hi Pam, welcome to the course. That sounds great that your uncle was a luthier! It’s super pleasing you are enjoying your playing so much and I hope you enjoy the course. Do let us know how you get on and all the best! 🙂
Great tips Dan super duper 😀
Cheers, Angie. Glad to hear you like the lesson. Keep coming back to it too. 🙂
Hi, everyone. I wanted to start us off with a comment to get the ball rolling. I would LOVE it if you could leave a short comment introducing yourself to the other members. I’m Dan Thorpe, from Birmingham, UK (not Alabama!). I love fingerpicking – Paul Simon, James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel and about a gazillion others! My favourite thing about playing guitar is having some quiet time to play for myself (music is a great outlet for everything in life) and to jam with my 4 year old boy, Archie! I used to be terrible at guitar but after years… Read more »
Hey everyone, I would love to know what lessons you would like to learn. More on fingerpicking, Travis picking, chord changes, theory, jamming???… you name it, leave your ideas below!! This is the place to do so.
Hi Dan, I am an intermediate player, but am fascinated about finger style, and very anxious to get started. But i must admit i do struggle a bit with the dreaded Barr Chords, but am improving a bit. I am a Viet Nam vet, who suffers from PTSD, I am very private, so if you don’t hear much from me please understand. Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch. It`s great to have you here. Barre chords are tough but do make sure you take your time and use good technique with them.
No problem at all regarding being private and I hope you are doing well regarding the PTSD. Just know that the comments section and the mini-forum is there for you when needed. All the best.
I would love to see some lessons on guitar slaps and slides please. That is if you possibly find time in your busy schedule.
Cool, for sure, let us know some more details. What sort of slaps and slides? The crazy stuff or solid on beats 2 and 4 type thing? What sort of guitarists have inspired this? (I ask, so I know I’m on the right path). 🙂
No particular artist comes to mind but I would say on beats 2 and 4 nothing crazy (yet). Slapping all the strings I find okay, it’s the thumb slap I have trouble with on the low E A strings.
I have come across slaps in the odd piece of music, done right sounds amazing. Just something I would like to add to my repertoire.
Ah, okay cool, thanks for letting me know. The slaps on beats 2 and 4 are very cool. The grooves these can add are great. Will get something ready on this. 🙂
If you would like to submit a video, you can add it to your comment by including a video LINK (for example, a YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox link). (Email Dan for help if you get stuck uploading a video)
YouTube and Vimeo links are the preferred video format. Make sure that your links are set to unlisted (not private!) and then only we will see it.
Post your video below…
Hopefully, you have all noticed the new comments section at the bottom of each page in the DTAA! I would love for you to comment, ask questions and say “hi”!
I printed out the black and white version. I think this will help me focus on what to practice and learn. I’m currently trying to get Jingle Bells down. I can play Happy Birthday and can almost play Drunkin Sailor without mistakes. I usually have to play a few old songs I’ve known for years. I still like them, but as my brother said one time, they are not recognizable unless I sing and I can’t sing lol. Maybe I’ll eventually learn how to make those songs knowable when I get the fingerpicking down better and learn the notes better.… Read more »
Really love this. It’s so easy to loose focus and hopefully this will keep us on track. Bring it on.
Glad to hear it. Yep, as I always say, the guitar is for life (or at least it should be). This plan will hopefully keep you focused every day while allowing for lots of fun. Plenty more coming in regard to using and applying and achieving this plan too. 🙂
Creativity, lack of it, or a way to get it started is a common denominator for many of us who have “fooled around” with a guitar for years. And I am very much a part of the crowd. Hard to jam when one has hardly ever even been able to open the jar. You just opened up that jar for me Dan. A start that each of us can work on and add to. Perfect! Thank you.
Thanks, Peter. That’s a lovely comment. Jamming is not easy, but if you can be methodical about it you can open up many jars and have lots of fun. Do let us know how you get on and I hope you keep finding inspiration from this lesson. 🙂
Hello,
I’m Ashlie from Ohio, USA. I grew up listening to Peter, Paul, and Mary, John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. Presently, I am inspired by Alela Diane, Shannon Lay, and Andrea von Kampen.
I started to learn the guitar this summer with in person lessons. I’ve learned enough to know that I want to learn a lot more–even while I am often frustrated with how hard it is for me to learn. I am fine with a long learning journey, but I think the DTAA will help me to focus and enjoy the journey more.
Hello Ashlie, very nice influences there. Some great artists. It’s early days for you but pleasing that you are obviously passionate about the guitar. I hope you find the DTAA will give you everything you need and a good solid plan for the long term, while helping you make real progress in the here and now. Any questions, let us know. 🙂
Hello everyone, my name is Rich…I currently live in New Hampshire, but was born in NYC and spent time in Tampa, Florida and Massachusetts as well. I an 57 years old and have been playing for a little more than 4 years. I love classic rock, but am a true lover of many types of music. I have a nice setup of guitars and amps in my basement…I enjoy playing and practicing several evenings per week.
Hello Rich, welcome aboard. Delighted you are here. That’s a nice variety of music you have there. I hope you enjoy the DTAA, the lessons, “5-Star” Award and everything else. If you have any questions, do let us know. 🙂
It might be helpful if we knew where to find the things we need to learn. I know I saw the scales and chord progressions somewhere but I am not sure where – somewhere in a blues lesson. I also know you discussed the pentatonic scale in a blues lesson and major scales in the in focus. But where are the blues scales and natural minor scales? Also, I need to spend some serious time with my theory book . . . .
Glad you asked. That is coming. I’ll be building out a page with resources to find those individual things quickly as a reference. I did consider holding off releasing the “5-Star” Award until that was done but better for everyone to know what is in the award and get started. The resources will be coming very soon though. 🙂
I have stuff to work on – just hoping you had plans for that! Got out my theory book again last night – so much to learn!
Of course, there will be plenty more lessons and advice coming to help you and all other members achieve all of this plan. Will take time to achieve it though (as well as time for me to add the extras) so please be patient. I want all the DTAA lessons to work hand in hand and help drive you forward with this plan while allowing for lots of fun times too. 🙂
I thought the same.
Dan……For the first time EVER, I feel, hear, see, AND IMAGINE what can be done with this magnificenr instrument. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
My pleasure, Dennis. Delighted you are enjoying it, and you see the possibilities of what you can do. I hope this lesson gets you started in letting all that creativity out. Enjoy and let us know how you get on. 🙂
Looks like a couple of comments were lost from earlier today. But great “to do” list. Great challenge to keep focused.
Ah, that is a shame that some comments didn’t make it. Will look into that. Anyway, pleased to hear you like it. Enjoy and I hope it helps you keep focused and have more fun. 🙂
Hello everyone, I am Allan from Indiana in the good ole USA. I started guitar at the age of 70 when I retired. I had played piano and violin until I was about 20 and then life got busy so I quit playing. I am enjoying the lessons and Dan you style of teaching suits me very well. I am looking forward to the 5 star method and think it will motivate me to become a good guitarist. I am just a little too laid back at the moment and just don’t always push myself to do things. I must… Read more »
Hi Allan. Nice to read this comment. Laid back is okay as you always want to be having fun but I hope the ‘5-Star’ Award will help you take your playing and your fun levels to the next level. Cheers for being a great long-term member and I hope you keep enjoying it. 🙂
SO, Muscle memory WILL BE DEVELOPED. If you implement the 10x method, the muscle memory will develop PROPER technique, musicality, et al.
Absolutely, pretty much a guarantee to build proper muscle memory using the ’10x Method’. The more you do it, especially with focus and good technique, the better. 🙂
Dan, Thank you for the challenge that this 5 star review brings to us, me especially. Really appreciate your time and effort putting this together. See you in the 5th star review soon.
Awesome, thanks, Allan. My pleasure. I’m looking forward to seeing you there soon. Glad you like it. 🙂
This is very cool. I’ve always been using “to do” lists in other areas of my life. But never seen one like this for guitar. You obviously put a lot of effort into this, Dan. Brilliant.
Printing this out and looking at this daily is a nice challenge and motivating as well. Already noticed some areas I need to work on. Thanks for putting this together!
Cheers, Don. Yeah, it took some time but it’s worth it if it helps you and all the other members. My pleasure putting it together and super pleased to be able to get it out there for you all. 🙂
I LOVE this type of lesson Dan!!! What I like is that it helps bring a lot of techniques together and makes practicing them enjoyable! Should be fun coming up with different variations!! GREAT lesson!!
Cheers, Logan. Pleased to hear it. Yeah, I’m glad you noticed that. I wanted to make sure I bring various elements taught in other DTAA lessons and other resources into one place. I think that is important when teaching a concept such as being creative. Glad you are liking it and thanks for the comment. 🙂
I like this. It adds depth and kind of demystifies barre chords and power chords.
Glad to hear it. Yeah, power chords have many uses and this will help you with those pesky barres for sure! 🙂
I so need this! Creativity is a weak area in my playing.
Yeah, you will find it useful for sure. Creativity is many a guitarist’s weak area but it’s a skill you can develop. I hope this lesson helps. 🙂
Hi, I’m Roy. I live in Birmingham, near to Dan. I am retired and have tried over the years to play the guitar with little success. I now have more free time to improve my playing. I switched to playing classical style after hurting my shoulder with the causal position. This was caused by the sharp corner of the guitar pressing on the crook of my arm. So I was pleased to learn that this is position used by Dan. I recently bought a Taylor Academy nylon string guitar which is perfect for me. It has a low action and… Read more »
Hi Roy, welcome aboard. Very near indeed! I wonder how far you are from me. The Taylor sounds like a really nice one to play and I’m glad you are finding the classical position to help so far. Let’s do it – enjoy the course and let us know how you get on. 🙂
Love this, Dan! When I started making real progress was when I started making a specific plan for daily practice. This will give all of us in DTAA a specific plan to work on. I’m a couple days into COVID and feel like crap, so that’s probably gonna slow me down for a few days. But I will get on this as I can.
Cheers, Larry. Glad to hear it. Took a bit of thinking to get it just right as there are so many things I could have put on it but these are the essentials for sure. I hope you recover quickly from covid and all the best. 🙂
Well done to Dennis Sullivan, Larry Fleeman, and Teresa Halvorson-Fox for winning the gold, silver, and bronze prizes for November 2023! The winner for best comment goes to Maxwell Iles who left a really good comment here. Congrats to you all, prizes on the way. 🙂
Trying this with some small success. Have a long way to go but all the time in the world to work on it. Looking forward to the new stuff coming out . . . .
Good stuff, they take time so be patient and keep enjoying the journey! I hope you enjoy the new lessons for this month too 🙂
120/120
Awesome, well done 🙂
Great lesson. Not looking at the hands is always a very important skill to develop. I’ve found that to be true in so many endeavors. For example: if you can drive a manual transmission car, do you still look at your hand when shifting? I think not. Thanks, Dan!
Good stuff, and nice comparison to driving. It could be fatal there but absolutely can be fatal for our musicality. Good news though, with conscious effort we can all improve it. Pleased you found this useful. 🙂
Great rhythm…loved the easy chord changes ..with focus on rhythm …came away with a naive groove feeling 😎
Glad to hear it. That’s nice and sounds like you got a lot out of this lesson for sure. Always pleasing to know. 🙂
Great reminders…tend to just pick up and play…but the click tends to drives my performance better and makes me concentrate more
Good stuff, yeah, the click is the ultimate taskmaster – it never flatters, lies, or try to charm us! The effort we have to put in with it is worth it though. 🙂
Hello everyone! I’m from Missouri. I’m 73 years old and have played various instruments since about age 10. I am very melody driven and a poor singer. Thus, my interest in finger style training. I worked with guitar for a short few years while in my 30’s, but job travel interfered. I’m back to learn some songs to entertain myself and close friends and family. Those songs would include works by Jimmy Buffet, Kansas, and other songs from that era. I am hoping that DTAA will help to sharpen my practice focus since I’ve spent too much time jumping around… Read more »
Hi Steve, welcome aboard. Pleased you’re here and ready to enjoy your playing some more. There will be a few little changes to the DTAA in next few days which will make the journey and clarity even better and will help you achieve those goals. I hope you’re enjoying it so far and there is more to come. 🙂
This is my favorite Christmas Carol so I have spent a bunch of time on it (have been playing/working on several others too). Today I finally licked the little bit that wasn’t very smooth. Hubby heard me playing it and said “That sounds really good.” I don’t play for him, just for me, but I won’t pretend that wasn’t nice to hear!
Super pleased you’re enjoying it. Yeah, keep playing for you but it’s always nice to get a lovely compliment like that I bet. We are all human after all. Keep enjoying it, love playing this one too. 🙂
So I was having trouble with a small bit in one of the new Christmas songs. I figured out which measure was causing the problems and played it slowly ten times. Then when I got that, I played it a little faster ten times. Then I played it and the next measure ten times slowly and then ten times a little faster. Next I added the measure before the problem and played all three ten times slowly and then faster ten more times. Works. I can now play the song pretty well. Just takes a little patience and it all… Read more »
Good stuff. That sort of focus and zoning in on the weaker areas is very powerful – it’s a great skill to develop. The ’10x Method’ takes concentration but is powerful and sounds like you’ve been using it brilliantly. Well done 🙂
Not been very active using this site this month. But rest assured I am practicing hard with all the lessons. I have taken a step back to concentrate on what I have learnt, rather than trying to do everything at once. I had become too overwhelmed with the content on this site, like a kid in a candy shop. I could feel the gatekeepers presence so needed to avert from his attention. Slow and easy practice has really paid off, I definitely feel that good progress has been made this month. I was really starting to doubt my skills but… Read more »
Glad to hear you have been doing some great practice. Yes, even though there is plenty here, it is wise to take your time, and digest what you have learnt. Have the occassional refresh of the key lessons too. Good you are keeping your eyes peeled for the Gatekeeper – he is always lurking. Thanks for the kind words and pleased you’re enjoying the journey 🙂
Hi there I’ve just received the beginner course I also received Christmas carols and 101 finger picking courses I did order them in the wrong way round but I can get to grips with them
I’m a very late starter I will be 75 in January but I may be a little slow but I’m going to give it my best shot
The courses at first glance look well structured especially the Christmas carols all the best and have a great Christmas one and all
Hi Keith, glad you have them. That is a good bunch of courses that will help you in many ways. I really hope you enjoy the courses and learn plenty. Do keep us posted with how you get on and enjoy 🙂
Great rhythm exercise! Great for staying on the beat (I’m a drummer, so very important to me!
Thanks, Stan. Glad to hear it. Keep using the exercise, and enjoy. Rhythm is so important. 🙂
Loving the adjustable speed feature! Slowing down the movements of each hand helps a lot to learn playing more efficiently.
Yeah, it is so cool, apart from makes me sound like I’ve had too many brandys. Haha. You’re right though, slow and steady is so important when practicing. Glad it helps 🙂
Dan I really like your arrangement of Silent Night. Working on this one to play for the family. Thanks for doing this.
Cheers, Allan. Glad you enjoyed it. It really is a lot of fun to play. Tricky but worth it. I hope you and your family enjoy it! 🙂
HELP! My primary computer is a kindle fire. I have NO PROBLEM DONLOADING Dans tabs to it, BUT I amnot able to send them to my printer. Does anyone have a solution to this issue.
TY,, IN ADVANCR.
Dan…..This is a fingerpicking life saver. 2 things that REALLY help are the technique lessons being more focused and how to learn a new melody utilizing your 3 step program. I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Hope it isn’t a train.😁
Glad to hear it, Dennis. Yeah, the focus is good and this is very specific stuff for these songs but useful all round. Ha, definitely not a train, we won’t have you derailing your progress any time soon. 🙂
nothing happens when I hit “start”
That could be a browswer issue, but I will look into it and will be in touch directly. The links to access the course pages directly are below:
I realize that not looking at fretting hand position improves with practice. That said, I am finding that some lack of smooth playing can be attributed, in my case, to switching my attention between the fretting hand and reading the sheet music. This usually occurs during the early stages of learning a song, before memorization becomes effective. Do any exercises come to mind to speed the process. I guess guitar and keyboard players share the same challenge. As an old sax player, tracking hand position was never a consideration. Also, good information on two finger picking. I am used to… Read more »
Yeah, like you say, some of this issue is natural at first when learning a song. That’s why it’s good to try to learn in small chunks, remember the chunks, and then you can focus fully on the hands. For memory, the 10x Method as mentioned in the Getting Started section is very powerful, as is writing down the notes. Saying the notes out loud as you play them can be useful too. Keep at it and keep enjoying it. 🙂
Sneaking into the riff section now – like that first little bass riff. Will take me a bit to flip between the shuffle and the riff.
Good stuff, the riffs are fun. Be patient linking it with the shuffle, switching between the two is fun but takes a little patience. Enjoy. 🙂
Hi Dan, Love this course. When I listened to your medley you played on your promo I thought Good King Wenceslas was going to be the most difficult, it sounds great yet turned out to be simple to learn. I have parts 1&2 down pretty good and ready to start part 3. Great price for the course I couldn’t pass on this one and will be using it for years to come!
Cheers, Art. Yeah, some songs can be deceptive. I love it when they turn out to be easier than expected. I have played around with this arrangement in a variety of keys over some time, but the key of D is perfect for this song. Pleased you are enjoying it and I hope you get many years of fun from the course and these carols. 🙂
Really great stuff! Loved getting a look under the hood of Dan Thorpe Guitar Academics 😁. You put so much into what you do, Dan. That’s why I think you’re so good at what you do, and why it works so well.
Cheers, Larry, That is nice to hear and means a lot. Thanks for being such a great member. 🙂
another question just popped into !my twilight zone…….Is there a website that will guide me to the best luthiers in my area?
I wish I knew of one but google is your best bet. The best luthier I found round here is someone who I found on google. Try typing in your area and keywords such as “luthier”, “custom made guitars”, and “handmade guitars”, If there are any luthiers in your area, this should give you results. 🙂
Dan…….2 questions. How do I measure the action and what should the height be?
The short answer is that there is no definitive answer. I’m no luthier or pro in this area but I always, always go with feel. I’ve spoken with a few luthiers and they all seem to have their own measurements and benchmarks but a lot depends on the player – if you use light strings and play really aggressively, the action will need to be different than if you play gently with heavy strings. I hope that helps. 🙂
certainly does help and makes me ready to try a set of 12s instead of the 10s I nomally use. It may make the MPR exercise a little easier to tell me if I am really using MPR.TY sensei😃
Good stuff, glad to hear it, Dennis. Yeah, it is well worth a try and do let us know how you get on with the 12s! 🙂
where is my favoite,…….O Holy Night ?
Not in this course, Dennis. I played about with an arrangement of it a few years ago but it wouldn’t fit this course as I couldn’t simplify it enough while getting it to still sound great. There are too many chord changes and stuff in that one. At some point, I’d like to teach that but it would be a bigger and more complex lesson I think, unlike these ones here. I hope you enjoy these and let us know how you get on. 🙂
Grabbed this course the second I read the email! Super happy about it as these are carols that I really love – especially Good King Wenceslas. I have already started working on it and am certain I will have it down before Christmas! Thank you so much!
Glad to hear it. Yeah, they are a wonderful bunch of carols and glad you love them too. Pleased you’re enjoying it so far. Keep us posted with how you get on and enjoy. 🙂
Hi Dan.
I have purchased 14 other courses from you which as advanced my fingerstyle technique.
The thought if applying this to some Christmas Carols at an affordable price was a no brainer for me.
Looking forward to it.
Regards
Tony from Lancaster. UK 🇬🇧
Hi Tony, pleased you are here and ready to enjoy these carols. Ah, 14 of them, that’s cool. The good thing is, all the lessons I teach in those resources will tie in nicely with this course and these songs (and vice versa). I hope you enjoy it and let us know how you get on. 🙂
What guitar are you using in your intro? Curious.
Yamaha APX-5A. It’s a real nice slim guitar, but they could have gave it a snazzier name 🙂
I am very excited about starting this course from what I can see online and reading your books you are very knowledgeable teacher. I am 66 years old and retired, and I play the guitar at the age of 12 with a few lessons for a year, but all they taught me were chords, and I got boring so I quit. so I want to take up finger style guitar and make it sound prettier and with more style and heartfelt feelings on how you feel when you’re playing. I have an acoustic guitar and electric guitar so I’m hoping… Read more »
Thanks for the kind words, Christine. Super pleased you are here, and ready to make some beautiful and hopefully inspiring music. It is so key to be patient, have fun and work on those basics. If you do, you will make progress and hopefully fall in love with the guitar. Keep us posted with how you get on and enjoy. 🙂
I enjoyed this lesson and learned some really helpful new things. I’m definitely looking forward to improving my finger picking tone! I’ve never tried playing my guitar in the classical position before so it feels a little awkward, but I’m sure it will become more comfortable with time. To my surprise, I found that I was able to change chords noticeably faster and more accurately with my guitar in this position. I also discovered that the F chord I’ve been working on sounded much clearer and way less fuzzy than it did prior to switching positions. Focusing on technique is… Read more »
Hi Pam, pleased to hear it. Yeah, the classical position will get easier. If it is a struggle, choose one thing to practice in this position each day, and play that thing every day in this position. When that gets easier you will find switching over to the classical position for everything will be easier. Awesome news about the faster and more accurate chord changes, that’s a really good breakthrough already. Keep up the great practice. 🙂
Pulled this out to use to learn the London fingerpicking pattern. It sounded so great on that little video you posted a few days ago. My playing doesn’t sound as good as yours . . . Yet. But I will keep working on it and will get there.
Thanks, you will get there. Keep at it, took me time to develop that pattern. You’ll nail it. Slow practice and focusing on a nice tone is key for that pattern 🙂
So now that I have figured out that the click is not my enemy . . . This was very helpful and really good practice. I seem to find something new here each month – something I have never done or something I really did not think I could ever do. As I find these things, I work on them and add them to my repertoire. I was good at what I was playing before I started here but I am amazed at how much my guitar playing knowledge (and skill) has grown since I joined DTAA.
I absolutely love this Dan! I listened to this through earlier and then played through with you just now (up until you did the fancy stuff at the end 😊). This is a song I’ve played around with over the years, but you make it come alive. I’m past the two strums per bar already, but it don’t quite have the P D DUDU down yet – 75% maybe. But this is one I’ll want to add to my bag.
That’s great, Larry. It’s such a fun tune. Sounds like you are doing great with it and keep jamming along to the video. Enjoy 🙂
Hi, I’m Pam. I live in Minnesota and I’m 60 years old. I’m a beginner and have been playing my guitar everyday for about a year now. My uncle, Rob Ehlers, was a luthier and he made me the most beautiful guitar with one simple condition that I had to learn how to play it. Fulfilling this promise to him has been an absolute joy and I think he would be happy at how much pleasure I get playing his guitar. Fingerpicking style is totally new to me and I am really looking forward to learning some new skills and… Read more »
Hi Pam, welcome to the course. That sounds great that your uncle was a luthier! It’s super pleasing you are enjoying your playing so much and I hope you enjoy the course. Do let us know how you get on and all the best! 🙂