For many people, learning the guitar (or some other skill) often ends up like the first picture on the right. It’s basically a wall which is just too hard to climb. The man needs equipment
The Key at this stage is: Get the relevant resources, be it a teacher, an online guide, etc.
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Sometimes, we have a pit in front of us that stops us from learning.
Jumping straight into the pit is obviously going to hurt (if it doesn’t kill you!)
This could probably represent the utterly confused beginner trying to get something done and jumping straight into the fray despite the risks.
Just like a business venture where the cash is limited, the adversaries merciless and the customers uncaring, the beginner guitarist has to contend with the potential for wasted time, the blisters, the money spent, etc.
Either way, the obvious solution is to get a plank and bridge over the pit.
Of course, that isn’t always easy, because most pits look like this (complete with flamethrower)
This is where we either need a longer plank (a better teacher or method) or stronger legs (to jump the pit).
Either way, it’s going to take some effort.
The key here is: To figure out what needs to be done and then decide to follow through with that effort.
Basically, identify the pit. And obviously don’t turn back once you’re in it. (think of all the pain that will have to be endured on the return journey)
Then again, some problems look like this.
We simply are met with a steep slope. A barrier to learning so to speak.
This could be improper fretting of the strings. It could be excessive tension in the picking hand. It could even be the lack of enough time investment.
Either way, pushing through that steep slope often leads to a much gentler one.
That is the nature of learning any skill. Once the basics are grasped, very often the progress becomes very smooth for some time.
In learning the guitar, once the basic chord patterns like E, C, D, G, etc are grasped and chord changes can be done smoothly, the learner often finds that heor she will naturally experiment with many different combinations. This serves only to further the familiarity with the fretboard and establish new patterns, making learning much faster and much more fun.
So the key is: Push through the beginning phase. It can probably last from days to months depending on the skill
Then again, what if you’re confused like the stickman about how to negotiate the slope or whether there even is a slope?
Frankly, you, me nor the stickman has the capability to see past the slope, and thus none of us know how high it is.
My suggesstion, start with practicing chord changes religiously everyday for a month. If you’re wasting your time on the slope, you would know by then.
Rest assured though, there’s a gentler slope after you’ve managed that.
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