1 YEAR of Touch Guitar progress (here's what I learned)

I've been learning to play Touch Guitar for the past year under Markus Reuter's instruction. It's been an incredible journey and here's what I learned!

(UPDATE 2024) All of my lessons with Markus are now available for purchase here:

ABOUT MARKUS

ABOUT TOUCH GUITARS
This video is more about the journey and learning process than the instrument, but in case you're curious: The Touch Guitar is an 8-string guitar, tuned in 5ths, and played with a tapping or 'touch' technique. Range is that of a 5-string bass, plus standard guitar. Scale length is 34" (bigger than guitar, smaller than bass). It's more similar to a traditional guitar than a Chapman Stick, in terms of sound, tuning/string layout, and single output (though they have many customizable options).

[ndykman_pdx]

For any struggling beginners, Shawn started out quite a bit ahead. He has an expert sense of rhythm (and how to practice with a metronome) and as a mallet player, had exposure to the basic music theory concepts (key, intervals, etc.). This is a great help, and for drummers out there who may see any pitched instrument as "unattainable": you might be surprised how much you can learn in a shorter time. Forget the guitar though: Bass! 🙂

[Mincher]

I can't believe Markus stood there, with a coffee, for a whole year.

[scs]

As a trombonist/pianist who just casually plays the guitar, the "notes make no sense on the guitar" resonates in my soul

[holgerschulz]

"...with the help of a teacher..."... Man, you´ve worked with Markus Reuter! How great is that! I dig his work! He´s a genius! <3

[ahreuwu]

I bought a drawing tablet a couple of weeks ago and I haven't done ANY progress in learning how to draw. A couple of things you said really touched me, hopefully I'll sort some personal problems quickly and I'll start practicing thanks to your motivation. Thank you for this video!

[MrGul]

It's impressive that you're already at the point where you can play a Guthrie Govan song, and Waves isn't one of the easiest either – great job!

[adancein]

A good teacher can get you a long way! If you know what you want.

[JoeJohnston-taskboy]

There's an (obviously) old interview with Paul Simon where he discussed seriously changing over to piano as his primary instrument due to a hand/arm injury. He estimated it would take him about a year to learn, which seems crazy short. But, as a former music teacher told me, the real goal is to teach our ears and brain how music works. Once you have that, you can play it on anything. Of course, playing music well on a specific instrument takes years. Your drumming is wonderful!

[SamMcGarrityIsOnYoutube]

You open it with "Waves" by Guthrie...you're a champion. Great vid. I was lucky enough to meet Markus and Tony Levin after a Stickmen show. What a great choice of instrument to learn!

[ericpalkovich]

Love this.

Touch Guitar is my next musical step. I really appreciated sharing your journey.

[sui]

Thank you! As a guitarist learning drums, this has helped me appreciate the stuff I've already learned, be grateful for it and really motivated me to perservere and carry on! Wishing best of luck to you Shawn with the touch guitar!

[soysantim]

As a drummer this inspires me. Soon I'll be taking 6 months off work to focus on music and make record progress day by day.

I'm currently learning Piano (mainly for theory and composition) and BASS! Because being a able to create music as a drummer and bass player it's like a whole combo.

[atombom]

I've been keeping up on your progress. It's motivating.

[amtreble]

Ooo a collab with Markus, I'm already digging it on the bcamp. I've always liked this aesthetic ever since the KC ProjeKCts

[stickist]

Du rockst das total. Danke für deine Unterstützung :)

[ChadMusic]

Your videos and Yogev Gabay's have actually made me decide to buy and learn drumkit. I'm a composer who started off on bass, so drums will be quite different for me.
Thank you so much for your inspiring videos.

[rosekennedy]

I really love this- two hand tapping style on 8 string guitar? It’s so cool, even on fewer strings. The way that some people are able to basically play piano but also nothing like the piano. It’s such a cool things.

[educostanzo]

Man, that's very inspiring! Learning a new instrument is at the same time one of the most joyful and frustrating things in life. I love the work markus is\was making with Devin Townsend, you got yourself a real master of this instrument as a teacher.

[TomOConnorBassGuitar]

I’ve been following your progress this year and it has been super inspiring. I highly recommend watching the full length lesson videos on Marcus’ channel, as it’s great to see the unedited process of learning.

I’ve played a variety of instruments for the last 15 years or so, mainly bass guitar and piano. Have been struggling with respective strain injury in my forearms for the last few years.
I’ve recently started learning to play the trumpet, and it’s the first brass instrument I’ve ever played. Decided to start as I’ve always loved the sound, and it is less hand/arm intense than my other instruments. Watching this series was definitely a key part of the inspiration for starting it, and for getting a teacher from the beginning
2 months into it and loving it

Thanks for everything Shaun and Marcus!

[bbacher]

You did better in a year than I've done in 2.5 yrs with my Chapman Stick