Tony, I think the one thing that really stands out in all of the habits is pushing out of your comfort zone every practice. This is difficult to learn since many players get frustrated when they can't get something perfect and tend to go back to the familiar to make the practice session fun. They often don't see things from a longer term perspective. Something difficult today is "all of a sudden" easy a month or two later. I have found that pushing out of your personal comfort zone every practice is the most effective long term skill builder there is. Thanks for another great show!
Hey there Tony, the concept that speaks loudest to me is designing for behaviors that lead to desired outcomes. Emotion is one of the most powerful memory tools we have and I can tie emotion to behavior but not to future outcome. Expectation of future outcome is a soul crusher. Conversely when I observe an outcome based on action I can have a strong emotional response but only after or during the observation. Recognition of how the outcome was achieved is the essence of my gratitude practice. When I have the memory connection to my beneficial behavior (especially when it is by design), I can tap in to creative solutions to get around my own obstinance, lack of motivation, or roadblocks thrown up by circumstances beyond my control.
Thank you, Tony, well said. Setting yourself up for success is probably one of the hardest thing to do. Excellent points and resources . I am grateful to be a long time viewer and admirer of your show. I am a guitarist/ songwriter/singer having started at the age of 12. I wrote my first song about a month after getting my 1st acoustic. Having my cousin who played in a several bands mentoring me was paramount. I have found it is a lifetime of learning. And you can start over after laying it down for almost a decade. Knowledge is power and how to use it helps. Thank you for inspiring this 68year old Viet Nam Era veteran to continue.
I’ve been watching vids like this for the last year while daydreaming about my next guitar or how I can become a better player. YT has been amazing for the variety of personalities and content regarding acoustic guitar play and hardware. I had to let you know you’re the best online. Lots of goods ones, but you stand out. Thank you! Really. Thank you 🙏
Thanks so much for the shoutout Tony! Always an honour! Designing that poster was a lot of fun, specially all those instruments around the campfire! Another great episode! I hope you’re doing well 🤘
Hey Tony, gret show as always. One of the learning concepts that I could really relate to was memorizing a series of numbers. If you got it wrong it was made easier. I am a certified professional dog trainer and use a very similar technique when teaching a dog a new or series of behaviors. We only use positive reinforcement we never make corrections. Our montra is set your dog up for success, if the dog isn't successful break the behavior down into smaller pieces. Once they get it right move on to the next part of the behavior but every once in a while just ask for something easy that they are already good at. As you were explaining the concept I realized I could use the same techniques I use to teach a dog something new or complex on myself. If I get it wrong go back to the last thing I got right and go from there. I think in our desire to grow and become better guitar players we often overlook mistakes or settle for good enough. The problem with that is if we continue to practice our mistakes or settle for good enough we will get reall good at both and that just makes it harder to get it right. Sorry for the long winded reply but it really struck a chord (pardon the pun} with me.
Exactly Jim. Always good from Tony. However, very nice to see you specifically identifying the role of reinforcement here. I've been a behaviour therapist and researcher (with humans) most of my working life. Inherent in all the concepts Tony outlines is the idea of reward.. Always reward yourself for steps in the right direction; always take small steps. Set a range of goals so there is always success - this enables you to step outside your comfort zone without fear and so experience reward. Successful people naturally reward themselves and don't punish themselves. We can emulate this as a deliberate tactic in every aspect of life, including guitar!
Love this! Funny that you talk about BJ Fogg. I was fortunate enough to have a private workshop with him back when I was working at Microsoft. I love that you've taken the time to read and study the psychological side of habits, positive thinking, practicing, etc. Very cool stuff and very useful in the guitar, or really any, skill journey!
Wow the thought you put into this...it's really a special great video. You know I've done/been doing a lot of pieces from this subconsciously over the years and couldn't really work out why things would progress or wouldn't but now I can see that when things were good in life it wasn't just an accident it's cos I was applying a lot of these techniques. I can't say one is better than others - it's like they're all connected and one leads to another...
I agree about the 10,000 hour thing -- if you're practicing wrong, well... duh. Then again, it's a really good rule of thumb, if you're wanting to be pro level, and you never stop taking lessons, if you're performing and jamming with others (unless you're a solo player), practicing with a good method, following a good plan, if you're learning theory, reading notation, etc. -- 10K hours of this will get you there, if you practice smart. Heck, 3K hours of smart practice will get you far!
Of course practicing bad habits is actually detremental . And along that line fewer reps focused on perfect techniques is better than much more of sloppy , or inconsistent . That said , the proverbial 10k isn't a binary milestone . 500 should get to not sucking . 2k to 5k getting to reasonably competent . 10k is for actual master level .
For anyone not so crafty who can’t make a cigar box guitar but wanting to try a three stringed guitar should have a look at Loog Guitars. They are mostly pitched to teaching kids to play in a more approachable way, but lots of adults buy them for themselves for travel, tight spaces, and to improve their technique using just three strings. I also agree that other instruments can help with guitar playing. I’ve been trying to learn to play guitar and just picked up the uke the other night . . . and I see that it helps with my guitar journey and vice versa. Other instruments I have played in my life are also a huge help - like piano, drums, and even clarinet! Broaden you instrumental horizons and watch you guitar playing get better, folks!
Same here, I'm 40 and have owned a guitar since I was 15. Always just beat around and never really progressed. Over the past 2 years since my son was born I have made leaps and bounds! Still not great, my drive now is because I want my son to love music like I do and learn together. I think prospective has a lot to do with drive. That being said, finding time to play while having a toddler is like pissing up a rope and trying to stay dry.
When I try to learn solos it's so difficult my fingers and head literally hurt then I go back to playing some melodious finger style chords(my comfort zone). Then complain endlessly how my soloing is so poor.
ACTIONS lock in habits. Actions enhance your self image, positivity and that feels great. Bobism coming... "Motivation without Activation is simply Stagnation on Coffee and Adrenaline!" From my book, Take Action: The Secret to Success and Wealth on Demand!"
This is brilliant, thank you. (Before watching this, I have called myself a "3 year beginning guitar learner". I'm a guitarist who looks to expand now.)
Thicker Modified V neck is sooooo much better for hand pain. The Thicker neck allows your hand to rest on something and your hand to not have to hold itself floating in positions which cause stress and cramping and the modified V shape allows you to have the reach of a thin neck! Best of both worlds!
why can't musicians write great songs anymore? I've never listened to "guitar players", I've always listened to songs. I agree with Andy McKee; Music is dead...It's over produced and has zero substance, zero soul, and zero life. Listening to music today is like eating pure corn syrup for every meal. It's up to us, the ORIGINAL SONGWRITERS, to make music great again! Boycott Cardi B, and quit glorifying gangsta rap and thug life. American culture is dying fast, and it's mostly due to the lack of originality. Every video on YT is a cover, and original music never gets a shot. Please support original songwriters!!! 🐰💜🎸🎶🤝✌
You probably think all rap is "gangsta rap". There are plenty of "real" "original " musicians all over platforms like Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, UA-cam, etc; but you'd know that if you we're actually looking for them instead of trying to sound woke on UA-cam.
Tony,
I think the one thing that really stands out in all of the habits is pushing out of your comfort zone every practice. This is difficult to learn since many players get frustrated when they can't get something perfect and tend to go back to the familiar to make the practice session fun. They often don't see things from a longer term perspective. Something difficult today is "all of a sudden" easy a month or two later. I have found that pushing out of your personal comfort zone every practice is the most effective long term skill builder there is. Thanks for another great show!
Hey there Tony, the concept that speaks loudest to me is designing for behaviors that lead to desired outcomes. Emotion is one of the most powerful memory tools we have and I can tie emotion to behavior but not to future outcome. Expectation of future outcome is a soul crusher. Conversely when I observe an outcome based on action I can have a strong emotional response but only after or during the observation. Recognition of how the outcome was achieved is the essence of my gratitude practice. When I have the memory connection to my beneficial behavior (especially when it is by design), I can tap in to creative solutions to get around my own obstinance, lack of motivation, or roadblocks thrown up by circumstances beyond my control.
Thank you, Tony, well said. Setting yourself up for success is probably one of the hardest thing to do. Excellent points and resources . I am grateful to be a long time viewer and admirer of your show. I am a guitarist/ songwriter/singer having started at the age of 12. I wrote my first song about a month after getting my 1st acoustic. Having my cousin who played in a several bands mentoring me was paramount. I have found it is a lifetime of learning. And you can start over after laying it down for almost a decade. Knowledge is power and how to use it helps. Thank you for inspiring this 68year old Viet Nam Era veteran to continue.
I’ve been watching vids like this for the last year while daydreaming about my next guitar or how I can become a better player. YT has been amazing for the variety of personalities and content regarding acoustic guitar play and hardware. I had to let you know you’re the best online. Lots of goods ones, but you stand out. Thank you! Really. Thank you 🙏
The moment you mentioned Habits, I was just praying that you mentioned BJ Fogg. So happy you did.
Thanks so much for the shoutout Tony! Always an honour! Designing that poster was a lot of fun, specially all those instruments around the campfire!
Another great episode! I hope you’re doing well 🤘
Thanks, Tony, for warming up our Tuesday. -Peace River, Alberta.
Hey Tony, gret show as always. One of the learning concepts that I could really relate to was memorizing a series of numbers. If you got it wrong it was made easier. I am a certified professional dog trainer and use a very similar technique when teaching a dog a new or series of behaviors. We only use positive reinforcement we never make corrections. Our montra is set your dog up for success, if the dog isn't successful break the behavior down into smaller pieces. Once they get it right move on to the next part of the behavior but every once in a while just ask for something easy that they are already good at. As you were explaining the concept I realized I could use the same techniques I use to teach a dog something new or complex on myself. If I get it wrong go back to the last thing I got right and go from there. I think in our desire to grow and become better guitar players we often overlook mistakes or settle for good enough. The problem with that is if we continue to practice our mistakes or settle for good enough we will get reall good at both and that just makes it harder to get it right. Sorry for the long winded reply but it really struck a chord (pardon the pun} with me.
Exactly Jim. Always good from Tony. However, very nice to see you specifically identifying the role of reinforcement here. I've been a behaviour therapist and researcher (with humans) most of my working life. Inherent in all the concepts Tony outlines is the idea of reward.. Always reward yourself for steps in the right direction; always take small steps. Set a range of goals so there is always success - this enables you to step outside your comfort zone without fear and so experience reward. Successful people naturally reward themselves and don't punish themselves. We can emulate this as a deliberate tactic in every aspect of life, including guitar!
I loved Tony’s brief clip of the James Clear interview. Identification and embodiment...
Love this! Funny that you talk about BJ Fogg. I was fortunate enough to have a private workshop with him back when I was working at Microsoft. I love that you've taken the time to read and study the psychological side of habits, positive thinking, practicing, etc. Very cool stuff and very useful in the guitar, or really any, skill journey!
Wow the thought you put into this...it's really a special great video.
You know I've done/been doing a lot of pieces from this subconsciously over the years and couldn't really work out why things would progress or wouldn't but now I can see that when things were good in life it wasn't just an accident it's cos I was applying a lot of these techniques. I can't say one is better than others - it's like they're all connected and one leads to another...
Best show you have done Tony thank you.
I agree about the 10,000 hour thing -- if you're practicing wrong, well... duh. Then again, it's a really good rule of thumb, if you're wanting to be pro level, and you never stop taking lessons, if you're performing and jamming with others (unless you're a solo player), practicing with a good method, following a good plan, if you're learning theory, reading notation, etc. -- 10K hours of this will get you there, if you practice smart. Heck, 3K hours of smart practice will get you far!
Of course practicing bad habits is actually detremental . And along that line fewer reps focused on perfect techniques is better than much more of sloppy , or inconsistent .
That said , the proverbial 10k isn't a binary milestone .
500 should get to not sucking .
2k to 5k getting to reasonably competent .
10k is for actual master level .
Hey Rudolf !.......so good that every week has a Tuesday - Thanks for your woderful stories !
For anyone not so crafty who can’t make a cigar box guitar but wanting to try a three stringed guitar should have a look at Loog Guitars. They are mostly pitched to teaching kids to play in a more approachable way, but lots of adults buy them for themselves for travel, tight spaces, and to improve their technique using just three strings.
I also agree that other instruments can help with guitar playing. I’ve been trying to learn to play guitar and just picked up the uke the other night . . . and I see that it helps with my guitar journey and vice versa. Other instruments I have played in my life are also a huge help - like piano, drums, and even clarinet! Broaden you instrumental horizons and watch you guitar playing get better, folks!
Thanks Tony,see you next week's class.🤘💖🎉🌟😁💡🎊🤘💡
Same here, I'm 40 and have owned a guitar since I was 15. Always just beat around and never really progressed. Over the past 2 years since my son was born I have made leaps and bounds! Still not great, my drive now is because I want my son to love music like I do and learn together. I think prospective has a lot to do with drive. That being said, finding time to play while having a toddler is like pissing up a rope and trying to stay dry.
I watch AT every week (Tuesday to be precise, lol). Great job and content.
When I try to learn solos it's so difficult my fingers and head literally hurt then I go back to playing some melodious finger style chords(my comfort zone). Then complain endlessly how my soloing is so poor.
ACTIONS lock in habits. Actions enhance your self image, positivity and that feels great. Bobism coming... "Motivation without Activation is simply Stagnation on Coffee and Adrenaline!" From my book, Take Action: The Secret to Success and Wealth on Demand!"
This is brilliant, thank you.
(Before watching this, I have called myself a "3 year beginning guitar learner". I'm a guitarist who looks to expand now.)
Atomic Habits resonates the most for me
Thicker Modified V neck is sooooo much better for hand pain. The Thicker neck allows your hand to rest on something and your hand to not have to hold itself floating in positions which cause stress and cramping and the modified V shape allows you to have the reach of a thin neck! Best of both worlds!
diggin the ho dag coffee cup Niice
great videos and information thanks !!
I just put all 5 of these books on hold at my library. I'll see what I can get out of each
Cool hodag mug Tony
Do you have an endless wardrobe of jerseys!? I love it! And Go Flyers!!!
ten thousand hours is a thing from Malcolm Gladwell author of Freakonomics
Problems at 00:36:00 are from a lack of Bourbon these days...
What is this channel becoming? I don't get it. When do you play?
why can't musicians write great songs anymore? I've never listened to "guitar players", I've always listened to songs.
I agree with Andy McKee; Music is dead...It's over produced and has zero substance, zero soul, and zero life. Listening to music today is like eating pure corn syrup for every meal.
It's up to us, the ORIGINAL SONGWRITERS, to make music great again! Boycott Cardi B, and quit glorifying gangsta rap and thug life.
American culture is dying fast, and it's mostly due to the lack of originality. Every video on YT is a cover, and original music never gets a shot.
Please support original songwriters!!! 🐰💜🎸🎶🤝✌
You probably think all rap is "gangsta rap". There are plenty of "real" "original " musicians all over platforms like Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, UA-cam, etc; but you'd know that if you we're actually looking for them instead of trying to sound woke on UA-cam.
I'd like to know if you are a huckleberry