Having to retune is a pain I agree, but it has to be done that way for a number of reasons – first to make it sound the same as the recording – Anders says in a lot of his summary’s, listen to his play back, and the original – it helps believe me – if it were only ½ step down thing they could do it that way and in some lesson they actually do, then you go play with the original and #&^*$^#$!!! You have to retune, but it gets impossible to do when you start doing open tunings and even more impossible when you have strange tuning that for example Soundgarden, led zeppelin, queen of the stone aged do - and I’ll have to admit I haven’t learned some songs (that I love) because of that, especially in a live setting you would have to have a arsenal of guitars because it takes to much down time between song to retune, so generally in a live situation a song that’s play a ½ step down on the original in A – you don’t play Ab live you still play in A standard and not retune – and open tunings you just have to grab another guitar off the rack – if you just have one it’s a pain, but just do it. I’m not saying you are, but for the other beginners guitarist out there who agree with you – it’s part of the learning process – you’ll get quicker at it and when you’re on stage you be a pro and it really helps your ear to develop quicker and you’ll know when you’re out of tune – it part you the process…enjoy…as far as not renewing I can only speak for myself, but I’ve learned more these past two years with guitar tricks than I learn the past 20 plus years on my own – I would understand if its financial thing or you just don’t have the time, but if really love to play don’t do yourself that disservice – Good Luck! Save up for another guitar one can never have too many! Personally I’m trying to keep up with my wife’s shoe fetish ;)…I’m losing…