Half way through the first semester, I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the progress I see among members of the Strings Attached family. As I self-evaluate, I'm thinking of some changes and additions to add to the upcoming semester beginning in January. I will be making these announcements and changes to the web page as they become finalized but I think you will find them enticing. If you are considering guitar, bass, or mandolin lessons, I encourage you to stay tuned as I will soon begin accepting consultations for the upcoming semester. If you are a current client, I think you will appreciate some of the changes as well. As Strings Attached is still  very young, It is my strong desire for it to thrive; therefore, if you guys would spread the word I'd really appreciate it. All of you in Calhoun County, AL as well as Lincoln, Southside, Ragland and Pell City areas should know, if you are going to take guitar lessons, you should do it with Strings Attached because this is a "Student-Centered" approach to which the likes you have not seen. I'm not leaving my Macon, GA and Forsyth, GA people out of the loop either. I think I have something coming up to make this an exciting part of your adventure to become a guitarist as well.
Announcements coming real soon. 
Hey yall, don't just read the blog, read the entire web page right here at getstringsattached.com

​Mike

Andy Mooney? You may not know who Andy Mooney is, and to be honest with you, until I read his interview in an article today, I didn't know either. Andy Mooney is the current CEO for Fender. Fender has gone into some marketing research and discovered a few frightening facts. That is frightening if you are a major guitar factory or a struggling guitar instructor such as yours truly. You see, Fender has discovered that 45% of all Fender guitars sales are sold to beginning guitar learners; however, of that 45%, only 10% of beginning learners are still playing after the first year. If this is so, of every 100 people beginning guitar lessons today, only 10 of them will be still playing this time next year. Only one of these will still be playing in 45 years. 
Andy Rooney........ I mean Mooney, dude, you need to send your buyers to Strings Attached. We'll solve that problem. :)
Keep on Pickin

Yesterday, I was reading a forum and a question came up regarding what keeps a guitarist motivated to practice? Now, there were several answers and I found them to be good and I could certainly put my own in there but I make a point not to write on forums; however, it started me to think, not just in terms of a guitarist, but more in terms as a person. I will certainly at some point, either here or in class, share with you what has made me pick up a guitar almost daily and practice; however, today I feel it is more important to share with you what keeps me motivated as a person. What makes me get up everyday, set goals and work to achieve them? Well, here are a few of my thoughts.....

1) Always keep the end in sight - If you do not know where you are going, how in the world do you expect to get there? Surely not by happenstance. It just doesn't work that way. Set a goal that is higher than you think you can achieve. Be intentional in creating a plan to achieve your goal and put it into play. Your goal can always change, but your structured plan and exercise thereof will always be a positive toward achieving your new goal. Keep your eye on the target.

2) Identify your "WHY"? In other words, who is the person or group of people in your life who are your Driving Force?  Who depends on you? Who has invested emotionally in you? Are these the people who you feel you would disappoint should you fall short of your goal or are they depending on you for their livelihood? For me, my parents are my cheerleaders. They've invested financially and emotionally in me throughout my life. I could not disappoint them; however, the thought of that possibility has always driven me to be the best I can be at anything I have undertaken. My family has invested in me emotionally and throughout the years in the same way I did my parents. The need and desire to provide for them financially and emotionally has kept me getting up every morning.

3) Fear of Failure- Yes fear of failure is one of the strongest motivators of all. As an educator, I knew and understood my students and their parents depended on me to lead them toward making sound and high quality educational choices. I knew  my words and suggestions carried a ton of weight with them. I could not sleep at night if I ever felt in anyway I had misled anyone in a way that hindered them from keeping all career options in front of them. The fear of failure will drive you mercilessly toward your goal.

4) My faith in God- I should have listed this first for it is the most important. I, and hopefully for you as well, feel wherever I am in life, I want it to be where Christ uses me to glorify Him. That means I trust Him to put me there at all times. By that trusting Him to do this, I have to keep moving and striving each day to achieve my goals and He will do the rest. If I just stay stagnant and not seek His guidance, nothing happens. Really, enough said after that.

These are just a few of my thoughts on what has kept me motivated throughout the years. How does this apply to "Strings Attached"? Since I've retired from education, Strings Attached is now my business, my job. Growing it to be the "go to" place to learn guitar has become my new goal. My promise to you is that I, as your instructor, or potential instructor if you haven't quite wizened up yet, will apply all of these motivators to you as my client while I teach you how to play guitar. I will prepare, be attentive to your needs, and supply you with the tools with which you need to be successful. Will you apply these to yourself in all aspects of living? 

Keep Picking
Mike

I'm still impressed with the dedication of you all. As we are heading into a "Make-up" week, which for most of you means no instruction this coming week, I have evaluated your progress. First let me say, I am tremendously happy with your results. There has been a vast amount of improvement each week. Where you actually do struggle, it is exactly where I expected you to struggle and are in the same areas in which I struggled as I was learning. In other words, do not be discouraged; you are not alone.  As you practice and work, it will come to you and I will help you get through it. I will be available for you this coming week if you run into any issues we need to work out together. Also, I am doing a little "self evaluation" and am asking myself how I can become a better instructor so I can give you the best available anywhere. Just to kind of let you know one thing I am considering maybe come January is to offer Zoom classes. Thus I am educating myself thanks to the suggestion of one of my clients and I will see if I can work out all the kinks in Zoom, to make this happen.  Meanwhile, utilize this week to assimilate yourself and get comfortable to what we have done so far. For those of you in level A, smooth out your transitions, chord clarity, and rhythm techniques because when we get back together in two weeks, this will be getting "real". 
If you are thinking about joining up with Strings Attached but not yet sure about doing a free consultation. Maybe you are just thinking about it and have need of some questions answered in a "no pressure" environment. If so, send me an email to [email protected] with your question and I'll do my best to provide you with a detailed answer. If you are interested in doing a consultation, just click here and I'll get right with you to make it happen.
Have a great week ahead and practice long and smart.
Mike

The measure of a football team is determined by the amount of improvement between game one and game two. The same applies with guitar lessons. I was impressed with the attentiveness of week one. I was more impressed with the amount of improvement shown in week two. I know you practiced because it showed with each client. Not one person came unprepared. Not one person neglected to practice. It shows! Can't wait until next week to see even more improvement.
Now, to all you "wanna be" guitar players who haven't yet signed up with "Strings Attached". For what are you waiting? I have two more seats available for our Wednesday Night Adult Group. Even if you've never touched a guitar before, this group class is a non judgmental approach that will have you playing in no-time. I promise you have never before experienced this approach to guitar lessons. I offer Private, Semi-private, and Group lessons with a non-judgmental, student point of view approach. just "Click Here" to request a free consultation and I will get back with you promptly. Don't delay, we are already two weeks into this semester.
" Hey Mike, does this sound tuned to you" .... Ken Goodwin while he arpeggios an open "G" chord at the fourth fret instead of the third and looks at me with an evil grin.  I miss him every day  

"Pick Off" went off without a hitch. I could see and feel the excitement everyone had this week and am so grateful you are giving me the opportunity to feed your hunger to play guitar. You were prepared, attentive and unafraid to ask questions to get clarification. These are the ingredients for "success". Remember to practice everyday (at least 5 days) for as long as possible, specifically on what we covered this past week. I am looking forward to seeing just how much progress you make from week 1 to week 2.
Just to let the general audience know, there are still a couple of seats left for our Wednesday evening Adult Groups. Scroll to the bottom or top of this page, click the tab and complete "Request for Free Consultation" and I will get back with you very quickly to set this up. The sooner we get started the better. Also, regular groups and private or semi-private lessons are still open as well. Same process as above. So once you've joined with Strings Attached...............
"Nobody leaves here without singing the Blues" Albert Collins in the movie, Adventures in Babysitting, 1987

So what exactly is "Pick Off" you may ask? As college football season approaches us (or not), it is always customary to count down the approaching days until the first game of the season as "kick off". Using that analogy, I am counting down the days until "Strings Attached" opens its door for the first guitar lessons in it's inaugural year as "Pick off", 13 days from today. What about COVID? For your peace of mind and safety, I will be practicing precautions and ask you all to do the same; however, at this time, "Pick off" is still planned for August 18, 19, and 20, according to when your lessons are scheduled. 

Regarding seats available, we have them. If you are not yet enrolled and are interested in learning guitar, please click the "Request Free Consultation" link below this page, complete it and I will get back to you very quickly. We can still meet and get you enrolled before "Pick off". But better hurry! I can the smell the fresh aroma of new guitar strings right now. (Which are actually scentless by the way)
Let's make this work!
Mike

Everything is finally in place and we're ready to go for the inaugural classes for "Strings Attached". I hope you are as excited as I am to see this come to fruition. Just to let you know, there are still seats available for Private, Semi-private, and Group classes. We have a Wednesday Night "Adult" group scheduled so if you are 18+,  interested in classes, regardless of skill level, please check us out. Even if you have never before picked up a guitar or are an advanced player, this is something I know in which you can benefit. We have a "No Judgmental" policy. If you are younger and have friends in which may be interested in starting a group, working with a partner, or interested in "Private" lessons, just complete the "Request Free Consultation" tab on this page and I will touch base with you to schedule a time to speak with me regarding your goals, skill level, interest, etc. and potentially secure lessons. 

To all of you who have scheduled with me already, I will be sending out a schedule of meetings for the fall schedule through December. This will include all holiday and "make-up" weeks so you can make your plans from there. If any of you have any questions whatsoever, please fell free to email me at [email protected] or send me a text at 256-238-3596.
As always, "Practice smart and Long" Make it work!
Mike

Pending another outbreak of COVID 19, we are on schedule to "Pick Off" August 17. The finishing touches are getting in place. I wish to remind you there are still spaces available if you know anyone who may wish to join or even form a group for classes. Also, Private and semi- private classes are still available. Spread the word and contact me or better yet, direct them to the Free Consultation Page so I can reach out to them and schedule a consultation. I'm excited as I continue to prepare and the realization of this all coming together has me stoked. If you have signed up for classes, I will be sending out, via email, a semester schedule soon so you will know exactly when you are scheduled to meet. 

"Who's gonna steal the show you know baby it's the guitar man"......... David Gates
​Mike

I know it still seems like a good way off; however, 78 days before lessons start is not very long. For me, there is still much to do. The preparation is coming along and soon (hopefully) very soon, the room will be ready and we will begin lessons August 17 barring another epidemic of some magnitude. Consulatations are presently happening but seats are still available  so if you know someone to refer, check out the discounts and get on it. Meanwhile, should you need help or have any questions; hit me up at [email protected], call or send me a text at 256-238-3596.
I will be updating you more frequently as we get closer to "Pick Off". 
OH! One more thing! I have added "PayPal" for electronic Pay. I will have at least one more E-pay option before lessons begin.
​Make it work!
Michael