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71 years old. I have been dabbling for a year now. Since most of what I do is strumming this is a huge leap for me, and I found 1st lesson was very confusing. Hard to see what you are doing. I’m used to following a diagram on finger placement. Not sure this will help me but will continue for 5 days at least.
59 years old. I started on May 1rst. I have learned scales and dabbled. Can’t play any songs. And I am overwhelmed with info . I really get hooked on just playing but I want to play music.
50+ yrs playing bluegrass rhythm and upright bass. Minimal flat picking but mostly just runs and open chord rhythm. Want to learn more lead guitar.
50+ years playing bluegrass rhythm and upright bass. Some flat picking but mostly just runs and open chord rhythm. Want to learn more lead guitar.
Stuck play songs cowboy chords – want to learn runs and fretboard
You didn’t explain what hammering is at all and looking at your guitar in reverse is confusing. Showing finger placement from our perspective would be helpful to get our fingers in the right positions.
self taught and play by ear, have been playing on and off for 40 years. have knowledge of basic chords and bar chords. looking to become more fluent with lead guitar playing and different chord progressions utilizing the whole neck.
10 month beginner, struggle with strumming patterns and staying in time.
Coming in as a beginner, yesterday struggled today-not as much time but seems way too much for me!
my “hammer” doesn’t create any sound…more like a pillow 🙁
I’m a week late to start the challenge, but tonight I did it! I went through the whole exercise and I got it. Tomorrow I’ll practice it with you on the play loop and then jump into day 2’s exercise. I’m feeling excited. I’ve been a dabbler for decades. Try to practice. Strumming patterns. Alfred’s books. Never know where to go with it. Get just so far and then stop. Then do it again. I’m thinking I may finally learn to make a little music.
coming back after many years, feeling overwhelmed, you are a great teacher though.
Hi, I am brand new. I had to slow video way down to catch everything but I did it so thank you. My fingers are feeling it.
Coming back from 1970’s. OMG in my mind I was right where I stopped some 45 years ago. But in reality, it’s almost like day one. The muscle memory is lost. And my fingers hurt like hell! That’s something nobody talks about for new people – is building calluses on fingers and muscle memory. I’m excited to get back in the swing. thanks for sharing.
Long story, but I’ll make it as brief as possible.
Tried guitar years ago after a child abandon it. Found the chords difficult and a stretch for arthritic fingers.
Picked up the ukulele almost two years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Four strings and a smaller neck simplified much for me. Now I am retired and have always had that guitar in the corner staring at me. When I saw the Facebook add for this 5-day challenge I thought I would give it a go.
Still a bit of a stretch on the fretboard, and I have to adjust to a pick. But, I didn’t do bad for Day 1. Slow but good!
Does it matter which fingers we use? I feel it’s easier for me to hammer down with my middle finger than ring finger. Ring finger doesn’t get the string to ring out.
Is this course for an absolute beginner? It feels WAY to advanced for where I’m at.
Ok let’s do it
Hi,
I haven’t picked up the guitar in decades and when I last did so, it was to just play chords and not using a pick. I have a Macbook Air and I could not figure out how to show the tablature that was supposed to be in the bottom left hand corner. I could find the speed in the bottom right hand corner. The Macbook Air has no mouse, just a trackpad, if that makes a difference. Please tell me how to display the tabs or I will not be able to continue. Thanks
Hi Tony,
I’m 75, picked up the guitar during covid (I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now 🙂 Been trying to try to teach myself. I’m a forever beginner, or, as you say, a dabbler. I know a bunch of open chords and a few songs, never perfect. I’ve stagnated, want to improve but don’t quite know how; that’s why I’m here. The first technique lesson was tough, but I got through it once, messily. I can’t stretch my 4th finger all the way to the 5th fret; it’s in the middle. And the pads of my fingers on the lower string tend to mute the open next higher one (i.e., E-A ) I’ve become more of a strum and sing guy. I get that your lesson was 10 minutes, but feel that getting it right will take me way more than 10 more. And now there’s something else tomorrow! Thanks.
Hi Tony,
I am returning to guitar. I have been starting to play again for the past few months and have been stuck. I am hoping to learn, re-learn, and expand my skills.
Hi Tony – I am brand new. I am having a issue with my other fingers hitting the strings below. Can my fingers be too short??
hi Tony
64 recent retiree. Owned guitars over 2o years +. stopped playing for about 10 and picked up again this year. Structure and a starting point is what I am looking. I can play a fair amount chords , my transitions are not too bad. I have a decent understanding of the guitar and chords and music in general. I just can’t link them together. I think timing and rhythm can throw me off sometimes, poor strumming.
I’m coming back after trying to learn about 30 years ago. Playing is something I’ve always wanted to do just for myself as a way to relax and unwind.
Hello Tony mark yates here I’m 56 yrs. Old I’m a beginner its been hard just knowing where to begin I’m hoping your course gives me some kind of fast track of knowing what to do next
I am 70. Been dabbling for 6 months. I don’t know basic terminology. Very first lesson it took me a while to know what the term ‘hammer’ means.
Play for two counts – don’t know what that means
Hi Tony, I’m 58 , I’ve been playing for about 3 weeks. I’m doing OK , byt need more direction
I took classical guitar lessons once a week for nearly 2 years and didn’t get anywhere. I don’t know why I went with classical because it was not really what I wanted. Anyway, I gave up in disappointment and frustration. Now, 2 years later I am picking up the guitar and trying again. Despite the previous lessons I am still very much a beginner.
I am 68 and always wanted to learn to play guitar. I am brand new.
Tony,
I’ve been dabbling for a while and feel stuck. I like the small chunk process is great. I struggle with rhythm and hope this will get me going.
Tony,
I’ve been “fooling around” on guitar for decades, mostly just playing lead by ear. My goal is to become a more complete guitarist by improving rhythm playing and hopefully, some finger-style playing. Thanks!
Hi Tony
I’m an older (64) beginner and I’ve been stuck since my wife bought me my guitar 3 years ago. I told her I’m always watered to learn but never tried. Since y guitar I’ve tried in person lessons and a ton of on line lessons, and still stuck. I was able to slow down the video and see where your fingers are. One of my biggest problems is I can’t remember the strings. I know 6,5,4,3,2,1. lol. And low E and high E. But the others I get mixed up. Also The term “measure” I’ll have to look up. Lol. But I like the way you teach. Slow and concise. I’ll still with it for as long as I can. Thank you
I’m 71 years old and this is my first day after being away from guitar for several years. I really wasn’t very good back then, and I really don’t remember much so I feel like an absolute beginner.
This first day was a challenge for me. I kept having to stop the video to try to figure out where my fingers go and to figure out what you were wanting me to do. After about 20 minutes, I think I’ve figured it out; now on to doing this for 10 minutes, but I’ve got to tell you, I’m sure I’ll be doing it longer because I still have trouble reaching the strings with my small hands. Not giving up though.
Completed first week of 30 Days to Play without missing a day. Had a win by playing the blues bassline without looking at the fretboard.
I’m still plucking strings without using the fretboard. I cannot even tell what you’re doing with the left hand, so this is way far advanced from where I’m at.
73 years old. Picking it up again after 50 years. Muffling a lot of strings. This makes sense.
This is a good start for me but I need a little help with the proper finger/hand position so I don’t muffle the bottom string when I pluck it?
32yo, beginner and professional “dabbler”, feeling stuck after starting with a basic methods book. Im excited to learn in a different way! I know the major scale and a few chords, but the transitions still get me!
72+ years old- starting out beginner with a few basic chords under my belt- that’s about it. I don’t know how to read tab and don’t know the fretboard at all. So, lesson one wasn’t terribly satisfying. I’ll keep going though. I could do it, but slowed down quite a bit and it was sloppy.
Hi. Intermediate-ish 58yo player here. Playing consistently a few years but wildly unfocused so hoping to step back and be a bit more methodical.
I am 72yrs old. Taught myself a few chords 40-50 yrs ago. Tried a couple of online lessons and always failed – stagnated. I want to be able to play songs. Make some pleasant sounds from the guitar
Coming back after a long lay off.
Hello Tony , this first exercise is interesting and somewhat difficult to play exactly LOL. Been playing since 1964 , gave it up , took the Berkley guitar course , in 1974 , stopped playing 1976 then picked up an acoustic in 1996 and been making noise off and off since then . I just don’t have the dedication , and now I am having an issue with my thumb. you know the dreaded guitar thumb. . My father played professional his whole life with his own band .. Anyway here I am.
Retired at 62 and want to learn guitar. Have been dabbling so now need to learn. Sounds like a good concept so will give it a shot.
My more common name is Chuck. I’m 74 and have been attempting to play with no regularity all my life. A lifelong struggle with ADHD has interfered with just about everything I’ve attempted to learn. It continues to frustrate and discourage me on the guitar leading me to putting it down for months and sometimes years at a time, but I want to learn! I’m giving this process a try with hopes it can PUMP ME UP!
So far, it’s more comfortable than anything I’ve tried in the past. I’d like to get there before curtain time. LONG LIVE WILLIE NELSON!
The tab uses 4/5 (ring/pinkie), the video uses 3/4 (middle/ring)???
Been playing for decades. Need a restart. Thank you.
Just looked at day one. I was an advanced beginner to intermediate about 15 years ago, stopped playing Now I’m just starting to get back into it so I do have knowledge of chords, open and Barr I know quite a few pieces of songs. Very light on finger, picking, excited to get back into it.
I’m on the road for a month but want to give the system a try when I get back home. Should also make mention that I’m a. Beginner …
Been playing a while just stuck in basic stuff to sing with, looking to be more technical and improve