hello from the edge of the path

[ptolemydjones]

I am a long-time guitarist, and facing the quest to re-learn the guitar.

I am 55; have been playing since age 14. More or less self taught (I had a number of guitar "demonstrators" who called themselves "teachers".) Earned beer money playing new-grass in the 70s; played in two big bands; played in a "Chicago" tribute band. I have been playing jazz since 1986 and exclusively since 1999 or so (as Jamie points out in a very good essay, it is a long road...). Between 2008 and 2011, I gigged about twice a week for pay in a duo with a trumpet player - I think of myself as good enough, but I felt I had hit a wall - technique was stuck, and I was struggling with new material, with scales, with staying inside the changes, with playing in Ab and F.... stumbled badly on chord-melody...

In September 2011, I began an immersion program as a full-time graduate student of business, and I have not played a note on the guitar since. So here's the challenge: I would like to resume practice in May so that I can return to regular playing in September, and I need a new practice routine - heck, I need an entire practice philosophy, and The Principles make sense. I see this "return-to-guitar" as an opportunity - and opportunity to not merely pick up the guitar and repeat all the bad habits and limiting muscle memories had accumulated... BUT I don't understand how to begin again, and I am nervous about squandering the opportunity. I have had the PoCP4G for about six years, and somehow, I just haven't internalized what to DO... I get the Concepts/Understandings... I do some finger exercises, but I just don't know how to manage a half-hour of personal -intentional - practice. I've read the book carefully half a dozen times: what am I missing? Please help. (And Jamie, please trust me - this is an earnest question - I recall you scolding someone who had read the book but didn't understand... and I really want to understand). Please help.
James Todd

[Jamie]

Hi James,

What you are missing is direct interaction with me. Post a video of yourself in the workshop forum doing the the right hand string shifting ex, and the walking exercises.

That will tell me everything, and will begin the process of setting you firmly and clearly on the right path.