Taught kids English for 4 years and this was so true. Students are basically people who challenge you on a constant basis. The constant out of left field questions that you get about things you never though of before really force you to reevaluate you own knowledge and teach you new things about yourself. I grew as a person so much being a teacher. I think it’s something everyone needs to experience (providing they are qualified...) Forces you to think about stuff from someone else’s perspective. Something that seems to be lacking more and more as time goes on....
A teacher learns as it reinforces what you already know and that keeps you on your toes. I have taught people how to demonstrate products when trying to sell said products. It helps to own and use an item yourself just as Tomo does with the guitar.
@@Epicionx it means if the students don't become better than the teacher, that's not a good teacher Students are supposed to build on top of what already exists. If they can't innovate, perhaps they haven't been taught well enough.
Recording yourself, cringing at yourself and improving little by little made me progress so much better than i thought i would. This is how i learnt to sing in 6 months. Even though i am not the greatest vocalist in the world, i can hit every single note properly in the song.
As an older beginner, I needed to focus on my strengths. I will never be an all-around CGP... but I can play fingerstyle and sing. It is so important to focus on the best that YOU can be, rather than be distracted by the best in others. Social media is someone's highlight reel. It isn't ALL real because of the magic of editing. Be you. Choose the songs that people want to hear from YOU.
"Narrowing down is hard work"....this is one of the most powerful sentence ever spoken in musicianship and academia. Great interview and great job always Mary
The more I hear from Tomo Fujita, the more I feel that he is really a sensei rather than a plain teacher; and even then much bigger than the many instructors available in RUclips. Thanks for sharing your conversation...
I am enrolled on Tomo's guitar wisdom site and he is one of the best teachers around. He is a wonderful person and makes you not feel intimdated or overwhelmed by learning from him.
TOMO I have heard him speak many times. His love for music and playing the guitar is amazing. He can’t help but to drop little pearls of wisdom and knowledge about music and playing the guitar. Truly a amazing teacher.
I like that both Mary here and Michael Palmisano used the same sentence in their thumbnail/title for their videos of interviews with Tomo. You can see how they would both have felt the same urge to say: "every guitarrist must hear this" even if it is kind of a cliche/clickbait. They mus have thought "OMG this is amazing, people should listen to this man!" The guy is giving us real education and its so diferent from cliche guitar learning advice. Such great, useful stuff! Thank you Tomo and Mary!!
I take away so much each time I watch one of Tomo Fujita's lessons. For a beginner as myself, asking me to play a perfect chord, finger shifts, keeping time... It seems overwhelming & Mr Fujita seems to put it all in order. Slow down & enjoy the moment.
Two beautiful individuals from different parts of the world who show vulnerability, enthusiasm, and a true dedication to the connection of people through music.
5:57 literally me right now. i want to be ultimate shredder, i want to play funk, i want to play blues, and i want to play neosoul too. and i have soo many favorite guitarist. and this makes me confused which one i should focus. thanks to tomo for the great advice:)
I am a big fan of Mary Spender. She is an outstanding singer song writer but also I am a fan because I love to listen to her speak, enjoy her sense of humor and appreciate her clarity of thought. Tomo Fujita- my best teachers are always from Japan.
God this guy is amazing , so truthful and smart this guy , i have done one of his YT lessons for a few weeks and I already am improved , like he says, " make effort " great video BTW , Peace Moda
Tomo is a great person. Love how he says none of these guitars are important. His wife is everything to him. He puts his family first and music is in a nice second place category. 👏👏
I actually stumbled onto Tomo's RUclips channel independently. That is very cool! I really can understand all the things he is saying. With a cassette tape or anything long-form, it trains the mind to have a longer attention, longer stream of consciousness and concentration. The problem with the modern world is we have developed lazy attention spans... short chunking of stimuli. Fascinating concepts. I love both your RUclips channels. So much great content. Thanks to both of you. :-)
It’s obvious how valuable his experience is. Those of us that grew up before the 90s are the most fortunate where music is concerned, but this doesn’t mean anyone can’t get it 😧
This was a fascinating discussion. I really enjoyed it! Thanks so much Mary for bringing this conversation with Tomo to your channel. Several quotes struck me. Most notable, "Less is better", "Narrowing down is hard work", most noble and humbling words, "Teacher is great student who learn anything we can but our job is to help others. " 💖
i am so annoyed right now, i wish this video was like many hours longer. So much information especially for self-taught guitarist like me. I didnt even realise when this video ended so soon. I wish i could learn more from you guys. Thanks anyways for this wonderful conversation and knowledge.
I used to listen to myself on tape and recordings often albeit 27 years ago while listening to 102.2 jazz fm...some awesome music. It made me realise how so very far I had to go at the time and become my best critic. Playing live regularly is also a different beast and learn a lot about performance, gear, tone..you get one take
Thank you for sharing this. We are lucky to live in a time of youtube guitar community folks. As a slow and self taught person... I have learned so much in the last couple of years just from these videos
I have been a member of Guitar Wisdom for about 3 months now and I have learned so much. I wish I would have been smart and joined years ago. I love it so much my favorite is NO WORRIES!
Great man !!! I always thought... Start slim (technique, scales, melodies) Get wide (try everything, follow your whim, experience it all) End up thin (find what really resonates with your musical spirit and become a master of that. 🤘🤩🤘
Really enjoyed that chat with Tomo! Time to stick my neck and say IMO Sensei is the greatest all levels teacher on the planet right now, he’s so easy and inspiring to follow...
I had seen some videos of him on RUclips and I decided to subscribe to his channel because he seemed like an amazing person. This video confirmed what I thought! :)
Mary ... Your idea of watching your channel while practicing our instrument(s) is such an awesome idea ! I've been looking forward to my daily practice even more ... you inspire me Mary, more than you know. Thank you for sharing all you hard work, you are so very talented and beautiful my dear. I appreciate you, thank you ! Sincerely, Michael your #1 fan 😍
The takeaway quote for me is, "Less is better." Previously posted,... I've been playing for approximately 60 years. My channel will be for all to see, how does this old guy come up to speed, who knows functionally NO Theory. Who has Classic ADD diagnosed 25 years ago, has significant arthritis in both hands. These are blessings with which to share small victories to hopeful viewers who may feel challenged and wish an example of encouragement to actually see. I drank in every word Tomo Fujita said. Thanks Mary.
the world is really small, a few years ago i saw you in that sultans of swing metal cover wich i only just remembered i thought like i have seen this woman before and then it came to my mind. and tomo i have been following him for a while now and its interesting how you two are now together in one video
In the before times, a teacher was the provider of knowledge but now with the internet, the student has an unlimited supply of knowledge. The student already knows everything but needs someone to coach them through it. The teacher's role today is to provide wisdom and context to that knowledge. This guy gets it!
I had Tomo as an instructor at a week long Berklee intense workshop when I was 20 years old - along with Bruce Bartlett. Both of those guys are unreal.
Glad he mentioned record yourself, as well as the importance of playing beginning to end, the whole song, recording myself is what I used to do with bass as a substitute for an instructor, there's a benefit to hearing yourself, I have my kids do this
Hey Mary I’m a subscriber of Tomo’s site and I have to endorse it. At first I was caught off guard cause Tomo just straight up refers to notes as roots, thirds, fifths, sevenths and flat sevenths but after I got the hang of it and checked my guitar ego at the door I probably learned more than any other period in my playing ✨
Mary, thanks so much for having me at your show!!
Just watched the extended interview. Amazing! Thanks for your wisdom and experience.
Thanks for your wisdom =)
You are a legend Tomo
You are a legend Tomo
I loved your whole concept of guitar exploration...very clear and inspiring. Thank you!
As a schoolteacher myself, Tomo just nailed what it takes. “A teacher is just a great student who learns anything.” Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Taught kids English for 4 years and this was so true. Students are basically people who challenge you on a constant basis. The constant out of left field questions that you get about things you never though of before really force you to reevaluate you own knowledge and teach you new things about yourself. I grew as a person so much being a teacher. I think it’s something everyone needs to experience (providing they are qualified...) Forces you to think about stuff from someone else’s perspective. Something that seems to be lacking more and more as time goes on....
A teacher learns as it reinforces what you already know and that keeps you on your toes. I have taught people how to demonstrate products when trying to sell said products. It helps to own and use an item yourself just as Tomo does with the guitar.
Get off with him then.
"A teacher is not a good teacher, if he is not excelled by his students."
but what does this quote mean. Like, do the students push the teacher forward to become better?
It means,If the teacher knows how to get along with the students in a good way,he's a good teacher
@@Epicionx it means if the students don't become better than the teacher, that's not a good teacher
Students are supposed to build on top of what already exists. If they can't innovate, perhaps they haven't been taught well enough.
And the way to learn something is to be good at it enough to teach it to someone else.
@@Epicionx Aren't they both becoming better, each in there own journeying, both learners?
Recording yourself, cringing at yourself and improving little by little made me progress so much better than i thought i would. This is how i learnt to sing in 6 months. Even though i am not the greatest vocalist in the world, i can hit every single note properly in the song.
Favorite Tomo quote: “Triads are good for you. Like a vegetable!”
The best vegetable triad is celery, carrot, onion.
@@HigherPlanes the only problem there is that carrot and onions are both roots
@@himeshchauhan9843 LOL. Good point!
Time stamp?
Tomo is a great, great guitarist and a great teacher, but most of all Tomo is a great human being.
As an older beginner, I needed to focus on my strengths. I will never be an all-around CGP... but I can play fingerstyle and sing. It is so important to focus on the best that YOU can be, rather than be distracted by the best in others. Social media is someone's highlight reel. It isn't ALL real because of the magic of editing. Be you. Choose the songs that people want to hear from YOU.
This is profound. I agree as an older beginner trying to do all the things only hurts progress. And it plays with your mindset and confidence.
Cheers to all the older beginners, me one as well 😀
"Narrowing down is hard work"....this is one of the most powerful sentence ever spoken in musicianship and academia.
Great interview and great job always Mary
"Art is about subtraction" (I paraphrase...)
The more I hear from Tomo Fujita, the more I feel that he is really a sensei rather than a plain teacher; and even then much bigger than the many instructors available in RUclips. Thanks for sharing your conversation...
I am enrolled on Tomo's guitar wisdom site and he is one of the best teachers around. He is a wonderful person and makes you not feel intimdated or overwhelmed by learning from him.
TOMO
I have heard him speak many times. His love for music and playing the guitar is amazing. He can’t help but to drop little pearls of wisdom and knowledge about music and playing the guitar.
Truly a amazing teacher.
I love Tomo’s emphasis on ear training, triads, keeping things simple and using theory to figure out what you did, not what you should do.
Lowell George is my favorite player/singer. He was a great song writer also. RIP Lowell.
"A teacher is just a great student..." love it!
For anyone that hasn’t; watch Tomo play “just funky” live here on youtube. Amazing.
Tomo is one of the greatest souls i have come across. This world needs more Tomo's😊
Thank you for introducing us to Mr. Fujita! Blessings 😊
I like that both Mary here and Michael Palmisano used the same sentence in their thumbnail/title for their videos of interviews with Tomo. You can see how they would both have felt the same urge to say: "every guitarrist must hear this" even if it is kind of a cliche/clickbait. They mus have thought "OMG this is amazing, people should listen to this man!" The guy is giving us real education and its so diferent from cliche guitar learning advice. Such great, useful stuff! Thank you Tomo and Mary!!
This is such a wonderful conversation! In times of unlimited excess, less really is more! ❤️
Incredible teacher and player. Thanks
Thanks a lot for this video! Gave me a lot to think about. Thanks
The teacher is the great student! Absolutely Tomo!
I take away so much each time I watch one of Tomo Fujita's lessons. For a beginner as myself, asking me to play a perfect chord, finger shifts, keeping time... It seems overwhelming & Mr Fujita seems to put it all in order. Slow down & enjoy the moment.
So great Tomo is getting more recognized on RUclips! He's amazing!
Tomo is a hero
Tomo is such a wonderful human being, he has touched so many lives, simply amazing.
I like to non-diatonically harmonise with the intro and pretend I’m Jacob Collier instead of accept the fact that I can’t sing
You are not alone.
I
Right there with ye 😅
Thats called 'Jazz'
bro! Haha good one!
Two beautiful individuals from different parts of the world who show vulnerability, enthusiasm, and a true dedication to the connection of people through music.
Start
Develop
Finish
Thank you for this advice Mr Fujita
5:57 literally me right now.
i want to be ultimate shredder, i want to play funk, i want to play blues, and i want to play neosoul too. and i have soo many favorite guitarist. and this makes me confused which one i should focus.
thanks to tomo for the great advice:)
so what you gonna choose?!
@@Dadaadad268 blues rock!!🤟
I want to be myself.
Thank you for the conversation with Fujita-san. Appreciate it very much!
I am a big fan of Mary Spender. She is an outstanding singer song writer but also I am a fan because I love to listen to her speak, enjoy her sense of humor and appreciate her clarity of thought.
Tomo Fujita- my best teachers are always from Japan.
God this guy is amazing , so truthful and smart this guy , i have done one of his YT lessons for a few weeks and I already am improved , like he says, " make effort " great video BTW , Peace Moda
Thank you. Both Yomo and you are great learning resources. Very nice sweater too, Mary.
The Casette- thing is the very best , you could chose. Charlie Banacos did it years ago. These were my best lesson, i ever had.
Lovely and very useful video, thank you Mary and Tomo
Tomo is one of my great 5
Tomo Fujita's guitar wisdom
"narrow down is hard work -- easy to write more things" so true, important and well put, amazing moment of the interview
Tomo is a great person. Love how he says none of these guitars are important. His wife is everything to him. He puts his family first and music is in a nice second place category. 👏👏
Your voice is so soothing....
Many valuable life lessons! Thank you for guitar lessons that are teaching us how to think and how to learn.
I actually stumbled onto Tomo's RUclips channel independently. That is very cool! I really can understand all the things he is saying. With a cassette tape or anything long-form, it trains the mind to have a longer attention, longer stream of consciousness and concentration. The problem with the modern world is we have developed lazy attention spans... short chunking of stimuli. Fascinating concepts. I love both your RUclips channels. So much great content. Thanks to both of you. :-)
It’s obvious how valuable his experience is. Those of us that grew up before the 90s are the most fortunate where music is
concerned, but this doesn’t mean anyone can’t get it 😧
“Narrow down.” Yes
One of the best videos I've ever seen on RUclips about playing the guitar. Genuinely inspiring stuff, thank you.
very smart guy and thinks about how to learn fantastic teacher !!!!
This was a fascinating discussion. I really enjoyed it! Thanks so much Mary for bringing this conversation with Tomo to your channel. Several quotes struck me. Most notable, "Less is better", "Narrowing down is hard work", most noble and humbling words, "Teacher is great student who learn anything we can but our job is to help others. " 💖
I love you both. Thank you for the videos and knowledge
I saw Tomo F. recently for the first time and I was blown away by his incredible knowledge and passion for the instrument.
i am so annoyed right now, i wish this video was like many hours longer. So much information especially for self-taught guitarist like me. I didnt even realise when this video ended so soon. I wish i could learn more from you guys. Thanks anyways for this wonderful conversation and knowledge.
Love this video @maryspender!!
Tomo is such an awesome instructor, so humble!
I like that you say that your guitar playing has a purpose. Love that concept.
Tomo is a legend!
Thank you so much
What a genuine personality, and a genius !!
That was excellent! Thank you, Mary, and thank you, Maestro Fujita!
so much infomation to learn from this video!!!
I used to listen to myself on tape and recordings often albeit 27 years ago while listening to 102.2 jazz fm...some awesome music. It made me realise how so very far I had to go at the time and become my best critic. Playing live regularly is also a different beast and learn a lot about performance, gear, tone..you get one take
* tape nostalgia intensifies *
Thank you! NArrow Down!
Excellent guest and discussion. Really enjoyed this. Love this guy. Thank you.
Thanks for this. Love him. Less is better. Less is better. Less is better. And record record record......
This is a really great video. So incredibly useful. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this. We are lucky to live in a time of youtube guitar community folks. As a slow and self taught person... I have learned so much in the last couple of years just from these videos
I have been a member of Guitar Wisdom for about 3 months now and I have learned so much. I wish I would have been smart and joined years ago. I love it so much my favorite is NO WORRIES!
When I feel bluesy and sad, I just need to hear you saying "Chewsday tawks" a couple of times and I cheer up already. Thanks :)
Tomo is the best!
Love Tomo. Great discussion. Thank you.
thanks for sharing your thoughts and heart so honestly
This is real wisdom...
I love Tomo so much and this advice about narrowing it down is exactly what I needed hear today. Thank you so much.
Great man !!!
I always thought...
Start slim (technique, scales, melodies)
Get wide (try everything, follow your whim, experience it all)
End up thin (find what really resonates with your musical spirit and become a master of that.
🤘🤩🤘
Really enjoyed that chat with Tomo! Time to stick my neck and say IMO Sensei is the greatest all levels teacher on the planet right now, he’s so easy and inspiring to follow...
I had seen some videos of him on RUclips and I decided to subscribe to his channel because he seemed like an amazing person. This video confirmed what I thought! :)
hahah. same here. I'm gonna subscribe today!
"Ask da wrong questions" my favorite quote, and its true. Tomo is the man!
Amazing tomo
Old school the best ❣️
Mary ...
Your idea of watching your channel while practicing our instrument(s) is such an awesome idea !
I've been looking forward to my daily practice even more ... you inspire me Mary, more than you know.
Thank you for sharing all you hard work, you are so very talented and beautiful my dear.
I appreciate you, thank you !
Sincerely,
Michael your #1 fan 😍
I miss my high school guitar teacher! Ive flown solo since my 2000- 2001 last 2 CD's great experiences 1st CD '83? Lol Thanks Mary!
best interview on youtube
The takeaway quote for me is, "Less is better." Previously posted,... I've been playing for approximately 60 years. My channel will be for all to see, how does this old guy come up to speed, who knows functionally NO Theory. Who has Classic ADD diagnosed 25 years ago, has significant arthritis in both hands. These are blessings with which to share small victories to hopeful viewers who may feel challenged and wish an example of encouragement to actually see. I drank in every word Tomo Fujita said. Thanks Mary.
Thank you Mary....I'm about to go down the Tomo rabbit hole.....you have chosen a wonderful teacher
A “teacher is just a great student…but I’m here to serve others… “ to me that’s the best teacher you can find…
the world is really small, a few years ago i saw you in that sultans of swing metal cover wich i only just remembered i thought like i have seen this woman before and then it came to my mind. and tomo i have been following him for a while now and its interesting how you two are now together in one video
Wow, what Tomo said was so insightful, and I really appreciate that!
This is a very informative video.. the master has taught at Berkeley School of Music for 27 long years.. what a great experience to share to all..💕
Thanks Mary you r wise beyond your years, I appreciate you thanks for sharing.
Wow! Really really good. Thanks
Tomo is a great player and his free videos he releases regularly are quite good. Great guest speaker for Mary's channel.
In the before times, a teacher was the provider of knowledge but now with the internet, the student has an unlimited supply of knowledge. The student already knows everything but needs someone to coach them through it. The teacher's role today is to provide wisdom and context to that knowledge. This guy gets it!
Tomo is more than a guitar teacher, he is also a life philosophy teacher ! thx for this interview !
I had Tomo as an instructor at a week long Berklee intense workshop when I was 20 years old - along with Bruce Bartlett. Both of those guys are unreal.
I'm not a guitar player, but so much of this resonated with me and applying those things to other things in life.
Cassette tape idea is awesome.
Glad he mentioned record yourself, as well as the importance of playing beginning to end, the whole song, recording myself is what I used to do with bass as a substitute for an instructor, there's a benefit to hearing yourself, I have my kids do this
Big realization for me as an English Teacher, the best way to learn an instrument (or anything for that matter) is to teach it! Brilliant!
Casetteh....i want this guy in my life.
Hey Mary I’m a subscriber of Tomo’s site and I have to endorse it. At first I was caught off guard cause Tomo just straight up refers to notes as roots, thirds, fifths, sevenths and flat sevenths but after I got the hang of it and checked my guitar ego at the door I probably learned more than any other period in my playing ✨