I quit

[Guitargeezer]

@JerryCan – I, understand. Been there. However, it took me (and, I’m sure others) around a year before being able to play simple (3-6 chord) songs with any confidence. It took me that amount of time and consistent practicing for fingers and brain to start having “Ah Ha” moments. Suggestion, you expressed an interest in being able to play finger picking. Have you tried the TAC skill course Fingerpicking Jumpstart? Regarding campfire songs you might want to try songs like John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads” (G, Em, D, C, F, D7). Check out the beginner’s version at ultimate-guitar.com. Find a song you really like and try to play it once each time you pick up your guitar. Strum it then work on picking it. It must be fun for you, even though, yes, at times frustrating!

It’s a marathon, not a sprint as the adage goes! Hope you hang in there with us, Jerry.

[albert_d]

When I was first picking up the guitar I did so to play for my friends around a campfire type setting. I fingerpicked simple 2 or 3 chord songs. One I recall was 16 tons (I pulled it from a Tennessee Ernie Ford record) with ‘Em, Am, B7. I didn’t strum it. I alternately picked the bass stings. Slow, simple, but effective. You might try that or something like it before jumping off ship @JerryCan

[Loraine]

@JerryCan I’ve actually been exactly where you’re at and thought this is too difficult, I learn slower than others, I can’t play anything and definitely not well. But, I kept at it, and this year, something really clicked and it seems like overnight I was able to do things I couldn’t do before, my chord transitions became more fluid and faster, I became faster, and I was able to sing while playing. I’m so grateful I didn’t stop playing, because this is something I’ve always wanted to do. Will I ever be as good as some of the others that have EPs and other original works, or who can go and play in an open setting for an extended period, probably not. I’m doing this more for myself. If I get to the point I can play for family and friends, that will be great.

The guitar is a difficult instrument to learn, but it’s not impossible. It just takes dedication and hard work. It takes not only the lessons and practice, but extending outside of TAC and trying to play songs from other sites. If you’re interested, I can message you with some sites that are free. Search for simple 2 and 3 chord songs to play on YouTube. Have you considered private lessons? I supplement TAC with private lessons, and it’s helped a lot. I have a great teacher that doesn’t dictate the curriculum. We have goals and work towards them.

Anyway, not sure if any of this will sway you not to quit. I don’t even know what you find difficult or are struggling with. There’s always tomorrow and things might be better.

[HowardM]

@JerryCan, you are getting excellent advice from the TAC community. The operative word is community, and we are here for you. Everyone has had the “I can’t do this” moment, and we are still here. Try to focus on the journey, not the destination, and you will make it (just like your handle JerryCAN). Just 10 minutes a day. Trust the process, and Godspeed in your journey.

[Booker]

Hi! So many good guitar playing tips and stories of guitar journeys ! Thanks for sharing everyone!

After joining last year, I did not feel comfortable with the Daily Challenge for months. I went the 60 Days to Play route and did all the Getting Started courses under Skill Courses 2x….little at a time.

Hope tomorrow is a better day! 🙂

[the-old-coach]

Hey– Jerry CAN.

I know you have already gotten a few great suggestions– from a few of the great folks here in the TAC family– including coming HERE to the Forum!— (that in itself is a GREAT move!).

My suggestions-

Remember that- (as others have said)- learning guitar isn’t easy– or “quick”. Be patient and nice to yourself on this….. Don’t EVER “compare” where you are with anyone else— or— with your own expectations of where you “think YOU should be”.

You never said “where” you are in your guitar journey, how long you’ve been playing, if you have a particular style that you like the sound of, etc.

Do the stretches if your hands hurt, realize that your fingertips will get tougher- (and not hurt at all)- after a week or two of good learning/playing.

Stay with it!– and welcome to TAC!

theoldcoach

[tamaracrazywoman]

Humble beginnings. There will be many highs and lows and frustrations with learning to play the guitar, especially for the first 2 to 3 years. If I had known this in the beginning, I probably would not have started this hobby. However, I am halfway through year five and it’s now my passion. Small wins. Keep on picking and strumming.

[TMutter]

you know there are a lot of great songs out there that are 2 or even 1 chord. Maybe just try to learn one of those and see if it brings you joy.

[Gary68]

I don’t play because I’m good at it I play because I enjoy it

just sitting in my own space it’s my time and who cares how long it takes

Life’s about the journey not the destination

Enjoy

[Mike-F]

Yeah, it’s not easy. I’m definitely struggling with it on many levels too and feel like there are some things I’ll never be able to play, the F chord. The weekly challenges seem too advanced for beginner lessons sometimes too. I’ve given up on perfection or even getting through some of the lessons. I do what I can with them and save them to my favorites so I can go back and work at them later. I’ve been saving the tabs and backing tracks from Wednesdays and practicing the scales vigorously. That’s the one thing I seem to be getting significantly better at. I like to strum chords transitions repeatedly and add new chords occasionally, I’m playing 9 chords now which is 9 more than I was. My transitions are still terrible but seem to be very slowly getting better with repetition. I’m finding the strings better and faster but the transitions are still sloppy but not as bad as they were. I expect it will take me several years to get not terrible and I’m going to have to be patient, persistent and committed. I’ve been blowing glass for 28 years and am still learning and improving all the time. Playing guitar isn’t any different, you’ll never finish learning and getting better as log as you don’t quit.

Don’t give up!

[Fletch]

OK From one Mike-F to another (spookily also 53!), ill throw in my 2 pennies worth…

After five years learning, I can say Guitaring is hard…! But like a lot of life, it’s all about managing expectations and your approach.

As soon as you unplug from an ‘I must do this‘ attitude, and embrace a ‘it’s just for fun‘ one, the pressure is off and you will feel less frustrated, and I promise you, you’ll make more progress…

The only person judging you is you… Let it go and enjoy it… 😀

And in your learning make sure to give yourself lots of time to learn simple tunes to mess with you want to play… It’s not all work…

Be Cool… 😎

[Mike-F]

I’m not the one posting about quitting but you’re right. I don’t take anything too seriously and my expectations are always flexible. At 6 months in to this guitar adventure I feel pretty good about where I am. I’m not a far as I wanted to be but I knew going in it was going to be frustrating, difficult and time consuming. I committed to it anyway. I tend to get obsessives when learning new thing and usually have the drive and patience to see it through. Right now, I’m obsessing on learning to play guitar, something I should have done a long time ago but found myself committed to other time consuming endeavors. Something this complicated, not just technically but also physically and soulfully is obviously not going to be easy or happen fast but persistence pays off in the long run. If nothing else, I’m persistent. And let’s be honest, this is fun and chicks dig it! lol