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Finished Session 4 - 5 Weeks and a Gallon of Sweat


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Hello Everyone!

Well, after 5 weeks I'm done with session 4 lessons and bonus material - easily the most challenging session yet..

Thank you Steve Krenz!! This course is really working for me so far. You would have to know me to know how hard it as been for me to slow down and be patient with myself. I'm all in with Steve's learning style, and it is paying off for me.

It is a constant tradeoff for me - I'm still not entirely happy with my sound, but when I go back and play a session 2 exercise or song I'm pretty stunned at how much sessions 3 and 4 moved me along. Lots of progress and lots still to learn. I'm confident that if I stick with the plan I'll get where I want to be.

On one of my earlier attempts at learning guitar (in my 20s), I had a private teacher and I was using William Leavitt's Modern Method For Guitar. I didn't stick with my teacher or with Leavitt. My life and career trumped my guitar, and I was not successful. I found my Leavitt book last year and tried to start going through it. I made it about 10 pages into the book. The problem is that the material gets pretty complex pretty quickly, and I didn't have anyone to shepherd me through it. No knock on Leavitt - it is good material (from Berklee no less), but it definitely requires a patience I've never had and a good teacher to dole it out. I feel like the L&M method is like taking the Leavitt course, but with an accomplished professional musician guiding you. Truth be told, the L&M course is not as technically complex as Leavitt, but is way more practical, and definitely more fun.

Bottom line - as a checkpoint, I pulled out my Leavitt book the other night and was able to play some exercises and songs that are pretty far beyond where I've ever been before. I'm working on a duet Etude from the book with a way more experienced guitar buddy of mine.

Steve said to celebrate completion of session 4. I bought myself a new guitar strap, and I gave my Taylor a thorough spring cleaning and a new set of strings. And oh, yeah, I'm going to see Pat Metheny here in Knoxville on April 7.

To session 5 and beyond!!!

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Congratulations Cliff, looks like you are doing very well in only five weeks. Once you begin to play songs, the enjoyment factor rises and makes all the practice worth it. Enjoy the ride.

Henk

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Making good progress 

Many stay in session 4 and 4b much longer.

Check my signature area for the link to Words of Guitar Wisdom by Steve.

Gives lots of quick thoughts over the years we've had a forum running 

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Great work Cliff!

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@CliffMcCartney, great job finishing session 4 in 5 weeks.  As Doug said, many stay in session 4 much longer. I know it took me a lot longer.   In fact, that may be near record time.

Enjoy the Pat Metheny concert.  I would love to see him sometime.

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Way to go, Cliff! We're proud of you. Had a similar experience when I started, and found that I was trying to learn at my instructor's pace and not my own. Ditched him and signed up for Steve's wonderful L&MG, and found better luck. Also, this Forum helped, because we have music majors and guys with talent and interest in becoming professional players, and the interface with them--and of course, Steve, who joins in frequently with us--make this course wonderfully unique. Play on, Cliff, and never forget the "Three P's: Practice, Perseverance, and Patience." Lotsa luck. Best, John

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Congratulations, @CliffMcCartney! You're doing great!

I started session 4 on January 24 this year, but do not feel ready to move on yet. That's 7 weeks so far, although I haven't been practicing every day. Hopefully, I'll follow you to session 5 in the not-too-distant future. Keep up the good work! 👍

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Well done, Cliff!  👍  I took about 7 months on session 4. Give my regards to Pat; I wish I could be there. 🤦‍♀️

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Great job Cliff! Took me way longer than 5 weeks! 

Fun stuff ahead with chords, barre chords, strumming, and a bit of theory.  

 

 

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Congrats! I just moved into Session 5 recently as well! The bonus book songs tripped me up for a bit when I thought I was pretty much done, but I was able to get to a place where I was happy.

It's exciting to move onto Chords and session 5 is moving quickly.  Although I previously tried to learn guitar a long time ago by sites that taught chords and not the comprehensive course.  I got very frustrated when it came time to use my pinky for the 7th Chords and eventually lost interest after not much progress learning B7 and C7, but I think employing it for sharps and flats in L&M has built up some strength and I've made some great progress in just a week or two!

Starting to feel like a guitar player!

Edited by S Bach
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Congrats good progress @S Bach. You're seeing how well crafted the LMG course is, building  new skills  upon a solid foundation, 1 at a time. 

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Well done Cliff!

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On 3/20/2019 at 5:54 PM, S Bach said:

....

Starting to feel like a guitar player!

Congrats to you as well, S Bach.  It's a great feeling isn't it?  When you feel like you're actually starting to make music?!  Keep us posted on your progress.

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