Tag Archives: beginning guitar

Start Where You Are: The Power of Baby Steps


I’m trying to make a vision come true, one in which my little machine functions so elegantly that I can make it do anything I want, at any time.

The problem is, I can get way ahead of myself. I stare off into space, my head full of ideas and speculations, how it will be and what I’ll be able to do once X, Y, and Z are finally in place.

Or, will X, Y, and Z ever really be in place? Am I kidding myself?

And then I realize that in order for any of that to actually come true, my only option is to start exactly where I am at the moment. And that can be distressing because it forces me to contend with the truth of exactly where I am at the moment, and I may not be particularly happy to have that fact rubbed in.

It makes me feel far from my goal, discouraged by the current state of affairs.

But the truth is, it is actually bringing me that much closer to my goal, for this reason: it is pretty much guaranteed that I will never get there if I don’t properly string together all the little things I need to learn to do and understand and operate my machine. I will never get there. My goal will never come true if I live in fantasy mode all the time.

The very first step to bringing it closer is to start exactly where I am now, and advance it just a little bit. Baby steps. Even the greatest marathon runner that ever lived moved in baby steps at one time.

Starting where you are is powerful. It is so powerful because it is the ONLY way to get there. It is busting with pure potential.

Anticipate the anxiety and the angst that will come up. Say to it, “ah yes, there you are, I figured you would show up.”

But don’t listen to it. Let it sit there and watch you courageously move ahead despite the fear, the inertia, the doubts that say you can’t get from here to there.

The ONLY WAY to get from here to there is to start here, and inch your way towards there.

Midnight Deadline for Guitar Lesson Super Sale

Midnight tonight is the cut-off for the 45% off special on guitar lessons at Guitar Tricks. Just between you and me, all subscribers are in line to receive a really cool holiday gift in December. Join today, save big bucks, get cool stuff. Just sayin’

Take Lessons with Lisa at Guitar Tricks

3 Free Christmas Songs, using just G,C,&D

Help yourself to this free Christmas music download!
The sheet music and tablature download
for three traditional holiday songs is from the book
The Easiest Holiday Songs Ever for Guitar,
featuring 12 classic songs arranged to be played on the guitar
using just the chords G, C, and D.
It really is that easy! And this sample download really is free! Enjoy!

Download yours right now.

The Partial Capo = Simple Magic

Ever wonder (or even hear of) the “Partial Capo”?
This week I was invited to be the guest host on the Guitar Tricks YouTube Channel, and I talked about the simple magic of the Partial Capo.
You can even make your own!
Click HERE to watch the video!

String Thing: Tune, Learn, Play. Repeat.

Brand new edition of String Thing
just came out!
String Thing is the official
Getting Started With Guitar newsletter, filled with free lessons,
news flashes, interesting links,
and other goodies for guitar learners.
Grab the brand new issue
here!

The Passion of a Six-Year-Old!

Wow, was this amazing little girl BORN with the guitar in her hands??

I’ve never seen anything like it, have you?
How does this video make you feel?

Esoteric Songwriting Secret, Revealed!

After you watch this hilarious video, grab your guitar and try this chord progression: / G / D / Em / C /

Let us know what you come up with.

Now, go be brilliant!

Snowy Day in Vermont

CLICK to watch snowy video

Snowing like crazy here this morning, schools are cancelled, roads not yet plowed.
Do I grab a shovel?
No. I grab my camera and go out and schlepp around in the storm. Fun!
And then I go back inside, dry off, and decide that every guitar player who has the day off today because of the snow might like to have an extra fun guitar project for the day. And even if you don’t have the day off, you should. Because I said so.
So today only, all the stuff in the Getting Started With Guitar shop is half price. Just because.
That’s the book: Easiest Holiday Songs Ever for Guitar.
And the audio ear-training program: Guitar Intuition: Audio Ear-training Program for Guitar Learners
Here’s the only catch: you have to know the secret password.
The secret discount code is: snow. Just scroll to the bottom of the product page and type snow in the discount box. Bingo!
I know, I know, eventually I’ve got to grab the shovel. Have a great day ! Cheers, Lisa

A Child’s First Guitar: What You Should Know

In these 5 videos, Lisa talks about how to choose a first guitar for your kid.

Want specific guitar recommendations?

Check out Lisa’s Very First Guitar Guide.

Click for videos… Continue reading

Lisa’s Gift Guide for Guitar Lovers

At this time of year, I frequently get asked for gift suggestions for guitar fans.

Whether it’s a child’s first guitar, a must-have accessory for the guitar enthusiast, or a classic Woodstock T-shirt for the Boomer-Rocker, you’ll find a few of my favorite picks in the new Gift Guide for Guitar Lovers.

It’s been a ton of fun – kind of like being on a big shopping spree myself!

I’ve gone out to some of my favorite vendors and collected some of my favorite products.

To make shopping easier, I’ve divided the Guide into four sections:

  • Accessories & Necessities for Guitar Players
  • Fun Stuff for Guitar Lovers
  • Lessons, Books, and Magazines
  • BIG stuff (new guitars!)

Hopefully this will make shopping for your favorite guitar-lover just a little easier.

And if your favorite guitar lover is YOU, be sure and pass this Gift Guide along to your own personal Santa, with a hint-hint, a heads-up, and an irresistible little smile.

CLICK to VISIT LISA’S GIFT GUIDE for GUITAR LOVERS