Hi Silvia, since you are writing out your goals for 2026, you must have recovered from your illness. As usual, you have put many well thought out ideas down. I like the idea of following the Intermediate Method book, but I had to add other things like blues studies and fingerstyle to the lesson plan, since the Intermediate Method foundation exercises were a little boring done as the only exercises. In my case i am loosely following the 5 foundation stages and starting stage 2 this year. I guess you have noticed that stage 2 includes open position note reading and has some classical studies in the bonus 2B section (pages 62-65) so this might give you a reason to continue with your classical studies.
Again, I hope you are fully recovered from you recent illness and have a good start to the new year.
That’s an impressive outline for your guitar goals in 2026, Silvia.
You clearly sat yourself down to have a serious word with you on how you want to progress next year. That’s true dedication and your ambition shines through. And it’s so thoughtful. But also, the fun and joy you are going to have shines through. While reading, I had the feeling that you are really looking forward to all these things.
Do you plan on recording this one at some point? It’s one of my favourites.
Your song list is clearly missing Gianna Nannini. (just kidding)
Can’t wait for your January update already!
PS: Hope the flu is gone and you and your husband will have a healthy start in 2026!
That’s an impressive set of goals Silvia, well set out and structured. If anyone else had produced this I’d be saying “remember to include some fun” but I know you’ll certainly include fun with your pupils and with the smiles you always give us with your recordings.
I wish you and your family good health and happiness in 2026.
Hi Steve, thanks for checking my “2026 wish list” , I’m now fully recovered from my recent flu and really wanted to try to set longer term goals. It’s the first time I do it, if you notice in my LL always self-assess what has been done, and from that I start again month after month…but I never did this further step into the future. Let’s see how it goes.
I noticed the Classical pieces in the Intermediate Book but I promise I won’t jump straight away to those and start from the strumming session
I found already a reason to enjoy my Classical Guitar again with Dee ( it’s been abandoned in the armchair for months), I believe classical studies to be really beneficial for the development of my overall can-do on the guitar and I will definetely enjoy more of them.
Thanks for your encouragment Lisa, that’s much appreciated! As I wrote above to Steve it’s the first time for me…let’s see how it goes
Absolutely I am! As weird as it might sound, especially I enjoy the ear training early morning sessions, it’s like “centering myself” and get ready for work and interactions. Also I’m looking foward learning the songs those will be fun! And the toothpick work on the Classical pieces and Chord Melodies…I love that one too!
well, I hope I will! But it’s 16th notes strumming so maybe it won’t be so soon.
You’re right, and missing many other great ones! Such a great female rock voice. If you have time and don’t know it yet check her rock version of this old italian classic Lontano dagli occhi
Wow wow wow!!!
Edit: as I’m listening closely…this one must be 12/8, I’m sure! (…until someone will prove me wrong ).
Yes it’s gone … and to complete 2025 tomorrow we’re gonna add all the food we couldn’t enjoy at Christmas
@Silvia80 Hi Silvia, you probably already know this, but when you decide to start following the Intermediate Method book, especially for rhythm, don’t forget to search for “foundation” in the website search box and look at the archived “classic” intermediate lessons. There are 16-note strumming rhythm lessons that correspond to the book.
• STRUMMING
Ask me if I’m happy? I’m so happy with my strumming practice this month! I started working on the 16th notes with a metronome focusing especially on the feeling, keeping the hand moving and the wrist loose and relaxed. I worked on two italian songs: I was able to apply 2 strumming patterns in the first one and in the second one (which I hope to share in February) wow wow wow! I practiced a lot along the original recording without a specific pattern, just trying to go by feeling and it felt really good! Then I found out a good lesson which suggested a much sweet sparser strumming with a pattern dropping beat 3 and with accents on 2 and 4, I ignored the inner voice telling “this is going to be so difficult” I tried and in a few days I’m nailing it and I can already add the singing! It needs some refinement…and fresh sounding strings before recording for sharing! And I can play both songs from memory instictively hearing the chords
• CLASSICAL GUITAR
Thanks to Dee, well actually thanks to Justin making a lesson on it, I feel I’m overcoming the rut I was in with my Classical Guitar. This month I revisited a couple of pieces, a Waltz and an Alegretto with the specific goal to improve my fretting hand technique by keeping the fingers closer to the frets and apply the minimum movement principle. This way I can play those short beginner pieces without mistakes…I’m ready for a Delorian trip back to a 19th century party and perform them
About Dee I won’t say much as I’m sharing my Learning Diary already, but I just add here the link to the latest video which shows where I am with learning it at the moment.
• EAR TRAINING
I did some lazy practice, still it was practice, but more than once I skipped the session in favour of strumming…whoops
The Ear Training Book arrived with the mail just yesterday and now I’m not sure if it will provide years of study and many enjoyable and challenging hours or it will prove to be too difficult for me…I will try and persist! I like the fact that it is both a Theory and Practical approach to Ear Training; I’m sure it’ll be very useful to expand my knowledge…will I be able to use it to develop my ear as well? Hopefully I will wish me good luck! The most nerd-like part of me is already loving it much
Tomorrow is February, that’s what you meant, right? I can’t wait that loooong! No seriously, I’m looking forward to this and am happy to read you are enjoying your strumming progress, especially as it was a long journey for you to get there. That’s awesome!
This is so great to read, see and hear! Your classical pieces were all so lovely and enjoyable and so is Dee. Will follow the other log closely (as you know, I will be late often, though ).
Do they sell this book also in other languages? Learning ear training along with resurrecting my rudimentary Italian won’t work, but the Nerd in me wants this so bad, too!
Rogier if I buy another guitar dear husband will smash it on my head
Thanks for the kitten
Thanks Lisa @Lisa_S for sharing my strumming enthusiasm…now I’m already not so happy with my song and at a new stage of developing it…I tried to strum along the original and the suggested pattern doesn’t fit actually as I expected…I listened and the drum is not on the 2 and the 4 but somewhere on the upstrums All great fun nevertheless
No, it’s only in italian, I will try to document the progress monthly and I will share videos of me going through the exercises as well - while explaining to others I’ll make it clearer to myself too, it’s a win-win and you might find some exercise interesting enough for yourself. This book is adopted in many italian conservatories - the good news is…I understood and can do the 2 initial exercises
Silvia, so far your practice on Dee sounds good. Thanks for bringing then lesson for Dee to my attention. I wasn’t aware of it and will definitely take a look at it.
(just kidding)
, I’m now fully recovered from my recent flu and really wanted to try to set longer term goals. It’s the first time I do it, if you notice in my LL always self-assess what has been done, and from that I start again month after month…but I never did this further step into the future. Let’s see how it goes.
but I promise I won’t jump straight away to those and start from the strumming session 
).
… and to complete 2025 tomorrow we’re gonna add all the food we couldn’t enjoy at Christmas 
I tried to listen closely, but the Hi-Hat is confusing. I kind of hear 6/8, but well, we both know we have our limits here… 
I’m so happy with my strumming practice this month! I started working on the 16th notes with a metronome focusing especially on the feeling, keeping the hand moving and the wrist loose and relaxed. I worked on two italian songs: I was able to apply 2 strumming patterns in the first one and in the second one (which I hope to share in February) wow wow wow! I practiced a lot along the original recording without a specific pattern, just trying to go by feeling and it felt really good! Then I found out a good lesson which suggested a much sweet sparser strumming with a pattern dropping beat 3 and with accents on 2 and 4, I ignored the inner voice telling “this is going to be so difficult” I tried and in a few days I’m nailing it and I can already add the singing! It needs some refinement…and fresh sounding strings before recording for sharing! And I can play both songs from memory instictively hearing the chords 
No seriously, I’m looking forward to this and am happy to read you are enjoying your strumming progress, especially as it was a long journey for you to get there. That’s awesome! 
All great fun nevertheless 
