Watch Andrew Clarke and his wonderful “I Taught Myself Guitar. Don’t Make the Same Mistakes I Did” YouTube Video.
My Comment on Andrew Clarke’s YouTube Channel
Andrew,
Thanks for another thoughtful video. I have been playing guitar for 2 years and bass for 1 year. Lots of fun in retirement.
Am I “guilty” of some of these mistakes? Was that the word? Yes, a few.
1. Sticking to my Style? Not guilty. I don’t think I have a style. Playing acoustic, electric guitar, and electric bass I don’t think I have a style, yet.
2. The GAS Trap? Guilty as charged. I have obsessed too much about guitars, basses, and amps. Not pedals. But I have come to learn that a great guitar doesn’t make me great. But a good guitar, well-setup, can be easier to play and sound better. But I have slowed down on my GAS.
3. But it’s so comfortable. Guilty as charged, but a minor offense. I know that I am not actively practicing guitar/bass for 3-4 hours a day anymore. It’s more like 2 hours. But I do know I need to break new ground in my online studies.
4. A little direction? Yes, guilty. But it’s a misdemeanor offense 🙂 I have studied two online courses for guitar regularly (you were my strumming guru). But I need to return to the oldest non-profit guitar teaching organization in the U.S: The Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL. They have been up and running since 1957. I have taken 3 courses there. And, they have the Americana Jam which happens every Wednesday in Chicago, for FREE. Need to return and play with real people. I do jam twice a month with my harmonica/singing friend but that’s not enough.
5. Learning Music Theory? Not guilty. I knew it was out there, but I learned what I needed in my first 2 years. But now I can use and understand words like triads, arpeggios, Circle of Fifths, and more. But learning some music theory may dovetail back into #4 above. A little direction can go a long way.
You are not alone in making these mistakes. I, and others are guilty as charged.
I have several college and master degrees and certifications. But that doesn’t mean a darn when you pick up a guitar or a bass.
Tom Petty was a Shoshin Guitarist on the Travelling Wilburys
I was reading a Tom Petty interview today. He was a self-taught guitarist. But at age 37, he was smart enough as the youngest member of the Travelling Wilburys to learn more about guitar and music from George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison, all older than him.
So whether you are a Tom Petty or not (I met him once for a brief conversation, great person), we all need to be Shoshin Guitarist in our attitude.
Thanks Andrew Clarke, I Am Learning from My Guitar Mistakes
So Andrew, it’s nice to watch your YouTube video and identify my self-learning mistakes on guitar/bass. Let’s make 2026 a great music year. We may practice alone many times, but we still need to learn from others to make our guitar/bass journey faster, more efficient, and more fun.
Andrew, thanks for your great YouTube Channel.