Interesting rant. I'm always learning even at 73. However I care less about the competition that is promoted in the US. I play for me and enjoy the time. It helped me through the service in 69 and with the loss of my wife in 2016 to illness. Music is joyful and fulfilling.

If you understand this idea, you’re always next level. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful insight Tim. Take care.

Brilliant. I think I can summarize: Play for beauty and joy, not for pride.

'the progress takes care of itself if you enjoy the process '. Wise words indeed. That was an amazing and enlightening video, thank you.

Seriously?! This video released on the day when I was getting down on myself for not being better at scales and technical exercises. You really are the best. Thank you for this.

Perhaps the best piece of advice one could get. A story: A student goes to a Zen master and says, "Master, I want peace. how do i get it?" The master replies: first get rid of  "I".  That is ego. Then get rid of 'want'. That is desire. what are you left with?" This talk is the essence of Zen Mind, Beginners Mind. In the mind of the beginner all things are possible. In the expert's mind there are limited options. Most of us, including myself are guilty of being competitive at the expense of being joyfully creative. Learn the craft but remember why you are doing this. Thank you, Tim. As usual you are a bright light in the wilderness.

You are a very wise man , Mr. Lerch.

Been playing guitar for many years with a long break in the middle. That break I took from the instrument truly helped me get the joy back into it. I used to be the "I'm supposed to learn this, I'm supposed to learn that" kind of person and always felt frustrated. After a few years, I took my guitar back out of the case and started with a new mindset. The key for me is "what is it that I want to express with my music? Can I do it freely? If yes, good, if not, what am I missing? What technique or piece of theory would help me achieve my goal?". This has changed my playing completely. I got back to learning how to fret triads because I wanted them to sound beautiful and that practice taught me much more than I ever learned before. Learning with joy is the key, find the beauty in what you do and you'll be fine

Reminds me of the writer Allan Watts . He said, don’t try , just be. For guitarist don’t try be a guitarist….
Just be one! and make music however simplistic or intricate.

And here it is. Lessons in life………….

Epiphany=Joy, approaching satisfaction and contentment.
Thank you 🥰
.

Tim, You nailed it. the joy of Music is the Reason I started, many yrs. ago. Thank You for this particular video! Wonderful meaning.

Not just a great musician but a beautiful human being

Hearing this has taken me to another level

Thank YOU TIM.Bought your instruction books a year ago…2024.

My example of this are those musicians (no names) who try to impress people by playing tune XYZ at 400 bpm. Generally speaking, I hate that. Those people also tend to play the head, then solo in the exact same way that they would over ANY song.  I like to improvise too, but great melodies are what people tend to remember.

I've played things on guitar for 35 years and was in several loud rock bands. Last year I quit my last band (as of now), and I feel like I've learned the guitar all over again. My focus as a performing guitarist and vocalist was on getting my parts right, but I had stopped exploring or really trying to connect with the instrument. I rarely picked it up outside of band practice unless we had a big show coming up or a particular song that was giving me trouble. I did my part capably, but not much more than that. I knew just enough theory to get by, and I went decades without truly practicing in a mindful way. When the band stuff ended, I got back the the joy when I set aside the productivity mindset: having to do things with my playing, as in make records, form new bands, play shows etc. I just started playing to play. And it also feels like I've improved drastically as a player over the last year, despite that not directly being the goal. I started practicing with more structure and focus than I ever had before. I push myself, but not in a way that is at all competitive. I just want to make music that sounds good to me. I get up early and have a one-hour practice routine that I reevaluate weekly with an emphasis on slow playing, tone, fundamentals, and a few songs/riffs that I want to fine-tune. I approach it like meditation - alert but relaxed. A great way to start the day and I can't wait to plug in my guitar when I wake up.

❤You are so right on this. I'm a longtime piano player playing catchup on fingerstyle guitarvand I love the process anytime I'm picking and going up the learning curve. Also I'm a founding member of Tim's guitar workshop and highly recommend it.

Thoughtful and perceptive...a comment from one of the anonymous masses who regularly watches your always valuable clips.

A very timely reminder for myself. Thanks