Month: May 2024

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Originally posted at: Melissa Gorga’s Pink Cargo Pants and White Bodysuit

Whether you’re just beginning to play or you’re ready to take your guitar playing to the next level, you’ll find plenty of options for learning. While it’s great to have a lot of choices, it can also be overwhelming. But with a little introspection, information, and planning, you can create a program that will serve both your nature and your goals. Start by considering the choices available to support your new adventure.

One-on-One Lessons

Nothing beats learning from a really good instructor. One-on-one instruction can provide the structure, accountability, and personal guidance that enables success. And, since having a teacher doesn’t exclude any other learning options, you can have it all! A good teacher will welcome your engagement with other resources and may even assist you in their use.

Of course, not every teacher will provide the same advantages, so you’ll want to shop for the best teacher you can find. If you yield to the temptation to learn from a generous friend in your social group or the talented teenager down the street, you’ll probably discover that not every good player possesses the qualities of a good teacher.

In fact, a guitar player who is unqualified to teach can do more harm than good, creating long-term problems in your playing and enjoyment. So, what should you look for in a teacher?

Traits to Seek in a Teacher

There are a lot of important qualities to look for in your instructor, and I’ve listed them here. Try to find someone who has as many of those traits as possible. A qualified professional will provide you with a strong musical foundation and guide you in healthy and effective technique.

Taking lessons from a good instructor who is proficient at teaching online will be just as effective and enjoyable as taking lessons in-person – and may be even better. As someone with experience teaching both ways, I can say that students are consistently more relaxed and focused when working in their own environment.

They arrive at their lessons on time, without having to cope with traffic or unpredictable delays, and they make the most of every minute of their time with me. Not only that, but I’m able to better assist them with posture and technique by seeing where and how they sit when they practice.

Online Courses

As a beginner, you’ll do best with someone who can help you with your individual needs and regularly monitor your progress. Once you have a command of the basics, though, you may consider online courses as a way to augment or substitute for private instruction.

Look for courses that meet your specific goals and playing style. Most courses require both a time and a financial investment, so be discerning and shop the way you would for anything else. Avoid impulse buying, and, if possible, opt for one with a money-back guarantee. Alternately, choose one of the free or inexpensive courses from reputable teachers, such as the ones I include in my Virtual Studio.

Instruction Books

Books are still a great way to learn guitar. You can carry them in your guitar case or book bag wherever you go and mix and match them for your practice sessions and lessons. I publish my books in distinctive colors for quick recognition and I insist on spiral bindings, so they stay open on the music stand. In addition to content – which is, of course, the most important thing to shop for – you might consider these kinds of details when book shopping.

If you’re still sold on the convenience of a phone or tablet for reading music or learning new concepts, keep in mind that using a book instead of a screen will facilitate proper technique and help you avoid injury. No scrolling, squinting, rounding your back, or hunching your shoulders necessary!

We may be living in a digital age, but when it comes to music, books are still very much alive!

YouTube

If you’re interested in learning guitar from YouTube, keep in mind that most of the people who follow that route are dissatisfied with the results. Since there’s no orderly approach to learning, you’re likely to invest time in lessons that are irrelevant or incohesive. At the same time, you risk missing important foundational concepts and skills.

That said, YouTube can be a wonderful way to learn songs!Look for the best tutorials you can find and don’t expect all of them to be accurate. Compare different tutorials and use your ear to help determine correctness. If you’re lucky enough to find a tutorial by the artist who composed and recorded the song, choose that one!

Navigate the Video Efficiently

Want to maximize efficiency when working with a video? Use keyboard shortcuts! You can use the keyboard arrows to move forward or backward in 5-second increments. To advance by 10 seconds, use the letter “j” and use the numbers 1 – 9 to choose the percentage of the video you want to skip to (10% – 90%). To pause or start the video, tap the spacebar on your keyboard.

If the video is moving too fast for you to catch everything, you can adjust the playback speed in the settings option (gear icon) on the bottom of the video. Try starting with .75, which will give you the benefits of a slower speed while retaining the feel of the song. If you need a slower speed than that, drop it down to .5 or even .25 for the most problematic sections.

Enjoy!

Have fun exploring ways to learn. There are no limits to how much you can grow with your guitar when you’re open and adventuresome!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you willing to embrace challenges? Do you excel when you engage in self-directed study in other areas, or do you prefer working with a teacher? Are you choosing a particular route because it’s easy or because it will help you grow in the best way?

Today, I had a metaphorical “bad hair day”: an unpleasant encounter with a disrespectful person who tried to rip me off. While dealing with anger and disbelief, and trying to restore my peace of mind, powerful words by Theodore Roosevelt came to my mind.

They lifted me up, put things back into perspective and, most importantly, brought my humor back. So, in case you had a (metaphorical or literal) “bad hair day” – or want to be prepared for one to come – here are Theodore’ssix cheering up inspirations, including some fabulous music that goes with them.

1. It Is Not the Critic Who Counts

“It is not the critic who counts: not the (wo)man who points out how the strong woman stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.”

Who is the worst of critics? It is the voice inside of me. This little bastard, my inner critic, tells me that I should have approached a situation differently, that I should have known better, that I should have been more careful. Now, psychology tells me that my inner critic (mostly shaped by my environment during my formative years) is trying to protect me from harm. I only partially buy into this “excuse”.

Today, I have decided that my life is too precious for having a critic living inside of me. Because firstly, he is unpleasant. And secondly, he doesn’t pay rent. Once I manage to quiet my own inner critic, no outer critic can bother me anymore.

So, here I sing: “Hit the road, Jack” by Margie Hendrix & Ray Charles

2. The Credit Is Yours: The Woman in the Arena

“The credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, …”

Stuff happens. Only I decide how to deal with it. So, I tell myself: I have built a life. I did it on my own terms. I am a strong woman. I have been through the dark night of the soul, and I have stepped out into the light. I dare to love and hope and dream. I dare to trust that others are as reliable and trustworthy as I am. I am not to blame if they aren’t. It is their choice.

I don’t let anyone but myself define the quality of my day. I have survived situations in which others would pass out. Throughout my life, I have made millions of decisions. Good decisions, and not so good decisions. But I HAVE MADE decisions, and not avoided them. I have stepped out into the arena, and I intend to stay in it, no matter what.

My soundtrack? “Gonna Fly Now” the Rocky Balboa theme song (by Bill Conti)

3. The Triumph of Effort

“…because there is no effort without error or shortcoming…”

What do people on their death bed regret the most? It is not the things they have done. It is the things they haven’t done. I have accomplished so much. I have experimented and learned from mistakes. I have succeeded, I have failed. I have lost my faith, and I have regained it. I have travelled my country and the world, and I have built a home.

I have decluttered, and I have been on diets. I have overcome disease; I have mourned betrayal and the passing of loved ones. I have cried, and I have laughed (a lot!). I have nurtured all kinds of relationships. I have helped others, and I have asked for (and received) help. I have pushed my boundaries, I have dared and done so much, and I will continue to do so. I am singing my own song, and I am getting better in it every day.

So, here I sing with my good old friend Frank Sinatra: “The Best Is Yet To Come” (from the album „Nothing But The Best“)

4. Enthusiasm and Devotion Are My Fuel

“…but (the woman) who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends herself in a worthy cause…”

Enthusiasm is much better skincare than Botox, and being dedicated to a worthy cause is way more satisfying than shopping therapy. It fills me with joy and strength and meaning. I have my set of values, and I know that acting according to my own values – not to those of others – makes me feel whole and alive.

I feed on beauty and music. I thrive when I am contributing to a better world – on whatever small or big scale possible. I lead my life in such manner that it (hopefully) touches the lives of others in a positive, uplifting way.

So, I sing “Live Is Life” by the Austrian band Opus.

5. Life Is an Ongoing Project

“… (the woman) who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if she fails, at least fails while daring greatly, …”

Only we, women out here in the arena, know what being “in the arena” feels like. There is no rehearsal, no Fast-Forward, no Replay. It is what it is. I know that failing is the little sister of learning. I have lived a decent, long life so far. Whenever I needed a hero, I became one. I feel the powerful young woman inside of me – more than ever. I honor the wise woman that I am turning into while staying young at heart. I keep moving, inside and out.

And just like you, I love to sing and dance to ABBAs “Dancing Queen.”

6. I Have Arrived, and I Keep Moving

„… so that her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

I have taken risks, I have chosen (and switched) destinations and routes. I have been on detours and found my way back. I have left places and situations, and I have arrived at them. I have won and I have lost. I have found love, and love has found me. I have been burnt, and I have been rewarded. I am alive.

Despite the long period of life already lived, life will still offer me plenty of detours that I am happy to take – so that I will explore and enjoy unknown territory. I will continue to do so for as long as my breath and legs will carry me.

And so I sing “These Boots Are Made For Walking” by the One-And-Only Nancy Sinatra.

Credits: “Daring Greatly” by Theodore Roosevelt in a speech at the Sorbonne University, Paris, delivered in April 1910.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you experienced a challenging situation lately? What helps you to deal with external triggers? Share your “recipe” or coping skills with our community. Let´s talk about what supports our growth, our self-confidence and peace of mind.

Gabby Prescod’s Green Embellished Dress / Summer House Season 8 Episode 11 Fashion

Gabby Prescod looked gorgeous in her green embellished dress for her Witchin’ and B*tchin’ dinner on Summer House last night. It was a green cutout dress that had just the right amount of embellishments to make it perfect for a casual backyard dinner. And though I am no witch I can tell you that I certainly have something magical brewing for you below in regards to her look !

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

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Originally posted at: Gabby Prescod’s Green Embellished Dress

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Originally posted at: Paige DeSorbo’s Bronzer