January Updates & How to Get Back Into Guitar After the Holidays

Christmas at our house was exactly what you’d expect with little kids around.

My daughter got a pink unicorn camera and immediately started taking photos of all her stuffed animals. My son has been crashing his RC monster truck into towers of blocks on repeat.

That’s kind of how the season works — and honestly, it’s exactly how I want it. Seeing them happy is the whole point.

You make sure the kids or grandkids are happy too. You give your time, your energy, and your attention without thinking twice.

Now with the holidays behind us. The decorations are about to come down. Things slow down a bit.

And this is the moment where it’s okay to turn a little attention back toward yourself.

Not by buying anything new or setting big goals — just by taking a little time. Sitting down with your guitar. Playing because it feels good to play.

If guitar has ever been a place where you slow down, reset, or feel grounded, January is a great time to return to that — even in small moments.

So here’s my question for you as the new year begins:

What does “time well spent” on guitar look like for you these days?

If you’d like to share, just email me – we always enjoy hearing what people are working on.

-James

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🧾 Membership Updates

Added three full song play-throughs:

• Man I Feel Like A Woman – Shania Twain
• You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton
• Sundown – Gordon Lightfoot

Added one worksheet:

• 5-Minute Guitar Workout for Beginners

🎸 Join the All-Access Pass Here →

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🎶 What I’ve Been Teaching Lately

New Song Lessons

If you’re in the mood to just play, here are the latest song lessons:

• Man! I Feel Like A Woman – Shania Twain
• Sundown – Gordon Lightfoot
• You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton (Chords)
• You Should Probably Leave – Lead

🎧 Other Recent Additions

If you missed them, check out:

• 6 Problems Older Guitarists Face (And How to Fix Them)
• Fix the #1 Chord Switching Problem
• How To Play Single Notes (Cleanly)
• 5-Minute Guitar Workout for Beginners

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🔜 Coming Soon

Here’s what I’m working on next:

• First Guitar Lesson
• What are the easiest songs to learn as a beginner?
• Guitar buying mistakes
• Walk the Line (Fingerstyle)
• Top 5 exercises for beginners
• What I Got
• Brown Eyed Girl
• The best way to learn a song
• When It Rains It Pours

I’d love to know: what songs or topics are you most excited about learning next?

🧡 Until Next Time

Thanks as always for being part of this community – and for making music a daily part of your life.

– James