Tomo, Guitar wisdom student here. I have been playing for 40 years and trying to discipline myself to keep improving and learn more theory. I have returned to watch many of your older videos. You are more than a teacher - you are a sage motivational speaker. You have nourished my thinking about progress, success and utility of improving at this point. Thank you so much!

"Don’t Worry, Don’t Compare, Don’t Expect Too Fast, Be Kind to Yourself." That’s what you taught me as a musician, Tomo. . .

Anyone who taught John Mayer guitar cannot be a failed musician by default.

"Not about numbers, not about the fame. Just make sure to have great quality of life." Such wisdom here. Thank you!

We are so lucky to have so many guitar teachers on KZfaq. I always come to Tomo Fujita for the Zen of being a guitar player.

Not only you didn’t fail as a musicien but you also did not fail as a human being… and that is very special. Your share both of these mastery In a kind, fun and very meaningful way. I am touch by the human you are. I and also others i am sure, are deeply grateful 🙏

You say more valuable things with your “Broken English” than most native speakers ! Plus - the quality of your love for family - underlies your passion for excellence ! Many blessings to you brother Tomo !🤲

Guitar wisdom is a great success not everyone can go to Berklee, I have always wanted to go deeper into music theory and now I'm on my way to a good foundation. You obviously retain and share knowledge at a level very few people can. If success is a hit song you still have plenty of time to do that. Steve vai and Joe satrani are making arguably their best music now along with other legends fill in the blank. Anyways thanks for you lessons and whatever success means to you I hope you achieve it. 😀

Failing is a part of life, it happens to all of us. Music is never a competition with anyone else, but a way to unite. There's always room for growth! Thank you for this Tomo!

Tomo, you are one of many players that have inspired me to continue playing guitar over the years. Learning to play guitar has given me a connection to music that helps me feel better on the worst of days. This incredible gift is in part a result of your teachings. The number of people you have positively impacted with your teachings leads me to believe that you have not only succeeded as a musician, but as a person. Thank you for sharing your love and knowledge of music the world.

Hi Tomo, not sure if you will ever read this. I took private lessons from you way back when you were at Berklee. I learned so much from you. I actually got pretty decent with your teaching. I joined a band, and played out regularly in the Boston area for several years. The band never got very popular and we disbanded. In retrospect, our sound/style just did not stand out even though I thought we were decently talented. I hope you realize that your influence as a great music teacher has a ripple effect that you may never see. Your students benefit, and your student's audiences benefit from your guitar wisdom and inspiration. I still benefit from what I learned from you as I continue to play my guitar often to an audience of just myself or some friends. Never underestimate the impact you have in the music world. You are a success in my view.

Brother Tomo…do you realize the lives and friends you have touched through music. Music should never be a competition but a journey. Your light and spirit is Beautiful❣️❣️❣️

You can never fail, you have elevated people all over the world! You are a great human/instructor/mentor

You already made big impact in music scene, you didn't failed. Your story inspired me to do more with my life after a very bad retrenchment. Since I've learn triad from your video, my guitar playing improved tremendously that my friends noticed my playing has evolved from the last time they saw me playing and I'm still learning more and more. Thank you, Sensei Tomo. We all benefiting from your videos here.

Thank you Tomo, not just for this video, but all the videos on yt and IG. Talk about going on, like when someone is feeling uninspired or anything like that

Tomo you inspired thousands of guitar learners, you are a true legend !!!

Thank you so much Maestro! Even in the darkest hour,you are able to motivate me and many others like me.

Express yourself Tomo. That is your gift to the world. Whether it’s on your guitar or with words, your heart and mind comes through loud and clear and we are better for it.

Dear Tomo, I think not becoming a famous artist is not failing. You became an educator at a famous music college and you created one of the most comprehensive and dynamic guitar courses online. People are literally being inspired by you every single day across the globe. I think your impact on music as a whole is much bigger than what most people can ever achieve as commercially successful artists. You did the opposite of failing if you ask me. Lots of love for you from this guy here!

Mr.Fujita, I want to say HUGE thank you, because your story really helped me to feel a little better. You're great musician and a teacher in my opinion, I watched so much of your videos. My story is simple: I've started a little late, at 26 and the first instrument was drum kit, after that I focused on piano and played a lot of really magnificient classical pieces (I am still in love with classical music), but at age of 28 I found my real passion - guitar. It have SO MUCH in it. I was so obsessed with music so I left my job, and was studing whole days, that was awesome time :) Ofcourse there was a lot of difficulties, like I always lack on money and walked to my friend's place to eat (I had a little part-time jobs, but nothing serious). I had no girlfriend but I didn't wanted any relationships. All I ever wanted is to continue studing music, write songs and compose music, getting better in every ways and dont ever be in need of money for ordinary things (for simple living) I love to see people dancing, or feeling something, its some sort of magic, when you standing there and doing your job and people are feeling great, they're dancing or thinking and smiling, its the highest reward in my opinion. But it never happend, reality is tough thing :) From time to time I got some part-time job to survive, pay the bills and well, things are not changing at all. So I am at same place now but knowing a little more in music (but still so much left to learn). From time to time all this makes me feel really bad, overwhelming, like I have to deal with it somehow, find a job and forget about things that brings me joy and makes me feel happy, just because I really tired living like this. I've tried to combine job and music and I simply can't, because all my thoughts are filled with music, so in that case I'm bad worker, so the real way for me is forget about music for a while and make enough money to continue, but I'm so anxious about that, I mean what will happend when I stop? But after your story I think that its life, everything happend. I should do whatever it takes to survive. If music is my path, then I'll return, if not - then its not :) I never ever told that to anyone, thats my personal drama, but when I decided to write about it...somehow I feel better:) Double thank you mr. Fujita, I hope my path is not yet finished and I will continue this magical adventure :) I wish you all the best! You're LEGENDARY!

Of course you didn’t fail. I can’t help but remember you posted a photo one time showing your fingers after a long day of practicing your rhythm playing. And you captioned “I want to be the best rhythm guitar player!” And I was thinking bro… you ARE the best rhythm guitar player!! It was So inspiring to see someone at your level still just having the same mindset that any of us guitar players have which is to get better! Very inspiring. Much love and respect!

You are an inspiration Tomo! Thank you for being who you are, you are a role model for all guitar players and people

tomo you defintely did not fail as a musician.you are a complete success story.your videos have helped so many people

I have so mush respect for Tomo, he always smiles and shares positivity and inspires people. And being a musician is not easy, so much distraction and hard time in life, but Tomo still keeps doing what he loves and pursuits his dream. He still enjoys music and teaches his life experience and guitar techniques. A good mentor like Tomo really brings hope to people who think about giving up music or doubt themselves in life to keep exploring music.

Tomo you will always be great! as a musician as a friend and as a teacher.

never learned from u at berklee but your youtube videos help me so much as a young guitarist im 16 and have been playing about 7 months your channel has taught me more theory and given the best advice then anyone else has, keep teaching tomo your helping future virtuosos more than u may realize, much love tomo :)

Hi Tomo! When I watch your youtube or instagram, you always look so happy. I think you are not a fail musician. You know, music always give people emotional energy. Your music also give me happy energy. I hope your happy energy being going to continue!

Hello Tomo, I have been practicing and loving the guitar. At first had doubts about the content that I am producing as a passionate person focusing on art. Your video reminded that indeed, if theres love in what you do, you already "winning at life". Thanks for sharing, may rock for ever more my friend

I'm a little late to the party.. These talks that you put out I find very inspiring. Thank you

‘Life’ is what happens whilst we are busy making plans. You may not have planned to be a guitar professor Tomo but I for one am very grateful that’s the path life you walked ! You have fostered and inspired so many great musicians and I can only imagine how much great music exists in the world today because of you ! You should be incredibly proud mate P.s really enjoying these longer philosophy / discussion like videos . You really need your own pod cast and bring on some other guest

such a great and inspirational teacher. you are amazing Tom! Thank you so much 😊

Someone that has as much influence and inspires as much people as you cannot fail

Hey Tomo...love these conversations :) I laughed in appreciation when at the end you said, "I think I failed because I did'n't keep this message to 10 min...what do you think?" Ha!! There is a thought provoking statement, of which the origin is debated, that conveys the struggle we all face. The story goes - when one was asked how they prepared to speak on a topic in public, the replay was... “It depends. If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now.” I think I too failed with too many words :) Keep shining!!

You are the most influential guitar player to me. I would’ve quit guitar if I hadn’t discovered you sensei. Your wisdom just made guitar playing for me a lot easier and It all started to make sense. I listen to your albums and I think they’re genuinely great. Don’t worry, don’t compare and be kind to yourself. You taught me music isn’t a competition. Just have fun. You’re one of the best musicians i know Thank you so much ❤

You’re one of my hero’s tomo you inspire me to play and without your chord videos I would of never gotten as good as I am today When you read these comments remind yourself on the mark you’ve left on all of us We love you 🙏🏾

Your mother must have done a strong prayer 😀Making parents, especially mothers happy, is priceless. I believe you picked the right choice.

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, AND EXCELLENT ... YOU'RE LIFE EXPERIENCE AND WHAT YOU SPEAK IS SO INSPIRATIONAL ... NOT ONLY DO YOU TEACH STUDENTS, AND PLAY GREAT GUITAR ! YOU KNOW WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU (IN MUSIC & LIFE) AND YOU INSPIRE MUSICIANS, ALL LEVELS, TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD ... WHAT DOES NOT COME TODAY ... WILL COME ONE DAY! GREAT MESSAGE TOMO! ARIGATO!

Hello i started guitare 2 years ago with a great teacher live. And since few weeks i discovered YOU. thank 's so much to youtube !! Lucky me it is gold

If you live so completely in the art of music as you do, you are making the art of music live… Thank you Tomo!

You are an amazing musician, and you teach and influence so many people. You are a success in every conceivable meaning of the word.

I enjoy your teaching but I love your CDs just as much! You stand with the legends. You are a guitar hero for our generation 🙏🏻❤️

You are one of the best teachers I've ever universally made contact with and there's nothing that can plausibly change so

I quit guitar after college and only recently picked it up. I didn't realize how lost I was because I wanted to play everything. I took ONE private lesson from Tomo and it just set me out on a path of learning that is very fulfilling. More than the guitar lessons, Tomo's lessons apply to my life as well. So thank you Tomo for setting me on the PATH. I am saving up for another private so I can show you where I am now :D Thank you sensei!

Being a Japanese American from Yokohama and leaving my former 40-year career in JKF-Gojuryu Karate and change to a music teaching career, I relate to your words of wisdom on a personal level. I often feel I failed in being successful Sensei, but now see music as a second chance to excel in a different adventure, and not to compare my past with my future. Always a fan. The Guitar Carpenter.

I love your stories. I have been playing guitar for 44 years now. But I was never a full time professional. I opted to become a software engineer instead. It paid more than music, but it wasn't my passion. You didn't fail. You are an amazing teacher and an incredible guitar player. And I love it when you get distracted and sidetracked from teaching on your videos. It's funny and human.

Great story Tomo. Thanks for sharing. This is a life lesson not just for musicians.

I`m a very very simple acoustic guitar player. People offered to pay me to teach kids but I felt like a fake so I refused. I`m just a singer who plays guitar when I perform. But I did let kids who showed promise use my guitar and if they could learn the songs I showed them I would help them get their own guitar. Some are doing very well and are far more talented on guitar than I am. So I consider that a huge success. You are a very big influence on many people so you are certainly a success in many many ways.

You are on my list of all time greatest players ever Tomo!! You will no doubt go down as a legend.

Glad I just found this video. Lots of wisdom you have Tomo. Insightful. You inspire everyday in your videos and listening to your beautiful guitar playing Life’s a journey. Thanks for sharing!

No you did not fail. I have my funk face on! We love you Tomo! What you’ve given the world of guitar is unmatched and you’ve had a huge impact on music.

Love this video so much

I am now majoring in music, your videos are always helpful and seeing how you express yourself and everything you do gives me a little bit of hope for my future

" if you keep walking you' ll get there...." that' s the best advice ever. Cheers from Portugal!!

i have so much respect for you as a musician, don't ever ask your self IF you failed as a musician, YOU did NOT period!!!!

thank you for sharing you story in these videos Tomo

You've had a really amazing journey so far. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your wisdom!

Tomo,Thank you for all the wisdom you share,you are an amazing artist,guitarist,musician, teacher,I started playing gigs with my guitar at age 13, I am now 60.... Still love the guitar like I did when I was 13.... I still approach the guitar as a student, and you are a blessing to me and thousands of others,I realize how much I DO NOT KNOW when I watch your videos, Thanks again Tomo 🎸.

Tomo! I am new to your youtube channel, and not only have you have made my playing 100% better, you have instated a strong positive mindset into my musical journey already! Judge the content of your character in order to measure success! You are always so positive and I thank you for that so much! You are the greatest!

Tomo, you ***succeeded*** both as a musician and as a teacher. (24:25) I own your music CDs (bought from you directly last year. Thank you!), now I'm interested in getting your guitar books (even though I don't read Japanese). (28:47) I almost didn't recognize you without a guitar 🎸in your hands. 🤣

Tomo-san, what an amazing story about your journey as a musician - it is clear from what you have recounted that you have worked very hard to get to where you are now, with many amazing opportunites and experiences along the way. Thank you for sharing this and by doing so, providing your great inspiration and wisdom for others to learn from and to grow as musicians. I don't know if you realise just how important and great this is - thank you so much! 🙏

Hi Tomo, I was a student of yours at Berklee back in '94, I didn't know that was only your 2nd year teaching there! Anyway your class was my fovorite and blew me and my buddies' minds!! You had so much good info and always put us at ease telling us 'Don't worry'. That was important to me because Berklee was intense. And your english was never a problem at all, your excitement about music and the sense of fun you gave your students came through loud and clear. I still remember you class and am honored that I got that time learning from you.

So many people don't understand that for teachers, the act of helping someone else accomplish.a goal on guitar gives us a natural high that is similar to what performers feel in front of a good crowd. Calling that "failure" is such a bizarre thing to me. If someone truly loves teaching, and they get a natural high from it, it's the best job in the world in my (very biased) opinion.

Thank you for telling your story. This was fantastic! I’m so glad it came up in my feed this morning when I had the time on my hands to watch it all the way through. As you shared your age, I did the math and realized we’re close to the same age (I was born in ‘65). I’ve always loved music, but didn’t pick up guitar until about 5 years ago. I now subscribe to Guitar Wisdom and start every morning (I get up an hour be for anyone else in the house) and work through the notebook I started due to your encouragement in your videos. I’m focusing on your site reading course and foundations triads as well as doing finger exercises daily. I appreciate you more than I can express without gushing. Fun fact: my dad was stationed at the US Navy base in Yokosuka when I was a kid so I went to elementary school for a few years in Japan. We lived off base near the beach and I was the only English speaking kid in our neighborhood. Anyway, now I live about an hour and a half away from you in New Hampshire in the Lakes Region. I want to get down to Boston at some point and see you play. Do you hold any clinics? How could I get information about them if you do? Respectfully yours, BryonM.

I love all of your videos Senpai and try and show all of your jams and clips when hanging out with my friends/family. Many thanks for everything that you do and you are also an inspiration to me (a producer) in other genres.

thank you again for sharing your point of view, inspiration & motivation

Great lesson:: When one door closes, aNew Door Opens. Great wisdom! And Wow. Pure..Steve Gadd, Bernard Perdie, Steve Jordan, Will Lee - All-Star lineup! Must've been in Heaven!

Man I’m so glad I found your KZfaq, thanks for being so real

Tomo you are such an inspiration. You arent only a teacher, but a great MUSICIAN. your album Blue Sky is SO good. The emotion that comes through your playing is what gets to me, then there is a vault of knowledge you can share with everyone. Thank you

I love this videos and wish I have a friend like Tomo, he is a very good guy and extremely talented, intelligent, inspiring and well connected in an spiritual way. Thank you!

🫀🙏🏾🌊 thank you maestro, professor fujita, for conveying your kind and modest example.

I'm 18 years old and was feeling down because I had too many things to do before graduating from high school, and I felt like I was slowly going away from music. After hearing your story, I felt better, and motivated me to continue my life as a musician! Thank you for sharing these awesome videos. I am sure that your videos are motivating and inspiring all the people like me!

Yes, dear Tomo.... there ARE Excellent Teachers with the skills to PLAY Too. ...That's why you're my teacher.

Anyone who can play triplets like you do hasn't only NOT failed... you're showing how it's done. Bravo!

Sensei, you are heaven sent. Your teachings are really applicable in everything. Especially with people who are struggling in everyday life. Like you said, just continue walking. Don't stop, don't run you will get tired. You will reach your destination eventually with just walking. So much respect for your lesson Sensei. Domo arigato gozaimasu. God bless you and your family.

Thank you so much for sharing Sensei Tomo. The passion in your message is really helping me put quality in every step to my progress in my musical Journey…. Again, thanks very much for the passion and inspiration Tomo.

Thank you for sharing that. I love all of your videos not only because of your teaching but the way you are. Very meaningful

You definitely did not fail! You are an amazing musician and an amazing person. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us!

Tomo, this is a great story and life lesson for anyone, not only guitar teachers. Thank you. GT

No matter what anyone thinks or says, I truly love your music, Tomo! It’s full of emotions, energy and passion. Been listening to “Right Place, Right Time” and “Put On Your Funk Face” for the last 2 or 3 months and your playing is what cheers me up every morning. Thank you so much for your works of art both as a player and as a teacher and I hope to hear more from you!

You are the best in my opinion. Because of your videos, I manage to master different riffs and rhythms.

We are thankful & grateful for your dedication and wisdom and passion for guitar, and your willingness to share with others. Your videos - and of course your playing - are always a joy. Thank you.

Nope, definitely did not fail. Watching a master play is always inspirational for those of us who aspire to grow. I don’t think I’ll ever reach your level, but that’s okay, I enjoy playing and listening. Thanks for the music

You truly are an inspiration for me and many others out there!

Love the story , really passionate about music, there's hope for the rest of us...thanks

You're a great teacher. I bought the student ibanez strat. I think it's especially good because it has your stamp of approval.

I"m a high school physics teacher who plays guitar. How blessed I am to be both. Thanks for sharing Tomo. You're so blessed too.

Tomo, this video is amazing. You are an inspiration to so many people and hearing your kind words made my day. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!!!!

I’ve been working on your guitar wisdom for a while now. My only regret is I wish i would have started sooner! Thank you for not giving up on your dream and sharing your knowledge/love for music. One day I hope to get a private lesson or jam with you 🙏

日本語ですみません。 トモ先生がミュージシャンとして失敗した・してるなんて欠片も思えませんよ！常に音楽とギターの素晴らしさを発信し続けている姿勢はありとあらゆるミュージシャンのお手本とするべきものです！ これからも応援しております！

Tomo, I love listening to you play but equally listening to your sage wisdom! You have wonderful insights and perspectives that are what we all need to hear. Musicians are cruel with themselves, constantly comparing. You have such a healthy way of overcoming and adaptation. I am trying to convey your message to my sons

thank u so much Tomo!!..So nice to hear about your experience!.Cheers from Brasil!

Tom you are legendary bud. IMO your videos/classes have helped many people around the world get better and appreciate more the art of music. Thanks for all the content Tom!

I was very busy these couple of months that's why I was not able to watch your other videos. However, when this video notified I quickly watched it. Tomo Sensei, you did not fail as a musician. I do believe that your wisdom in music and in guitar lives on and will continue on for generations. As a teacher, you taught many players. From John Mayer to average players just like me. The knowledge you shared is bigger than any hit songs. You always tell us that playing guitar is fun. If you're having fun playing guitar, it means you did not fail as a musician. I teach social studies while you teach music. Our field may greatly differ, however, I always tell my students your saying and wisdom in our social studies lessons. "Don’t Worry, Don’t Compare, Don’t Expect Too Fast, Be Kind to Yourself." You inspired many lives Tomo Sensei! Even those who are not in the field of music!

Everything is perspective. Personally sir you taught me a great deal through your written materials/ dvds and it is on account of you that I have fallen in love with the Stratocaster. It is rare to find someone who has such a talent for teaching but who at the same time can go out and gig as they please. I cannot emphasize how clear and concise your method of teaching is. Please accept my wholehearted thanks for all that you do. To sum it up you have helped me find joy in music as your playing is infectious. Thank you.

Thanks for sharing your story Tomo! And all the best on your continued musical journey!

Tomo you have inspired me more that you can know. Your simple approach is very effective my teacher

I don’t have the money to attend berklee so I decided to go to my local college as well as take some online advanced jazz theory courses, people like you, tomo, and Jen’s Larsen give everyone a chance to gain freedom on their instrument and that is not a failure by any means

You are truly inspirational. Genuine. Gracious. Thank you. Truly.

今回の映像のタイトルを見て、ただ事ならぬ内容だと思い、拝見しました。 オーディションのトピックに代表されるような色々な事があり現在に至った事を垣間見る事ができて、感銘を受けました。 私は昨年50歳になった直後にトモ藤田さんの書籍とKZfaqを見て、ギター練習を再開しました。 現在は弾き語りの練習が主です。 いつでもステージでプレイ出来る様に準備する事を心掛けながら、ギターや弾き語りの練習に取り組んでいきたいと思います。 ステキな映像を公開頂きありがとうございました✨

Tomo, thank you for the great talk, and especially for opening up so much of your musical journey for us to see. It was not too long at all BTW. Love that Duo Sonic too!!!