Try this guitar challenge
STEP 1: Watch the video to learn the bite-sized piece of music
STEP 2: Click the “PLAY” tab below the video to play along with Tony until you can do it on your own.
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Responses
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Responses
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What a terrifically challenging piece for the newbie. I LOVE it. The time I allot myself flew by this time; it usually does not. So many facets to practice and nail. So funky. So cool.
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Needs more work but very cool.
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wow, really having to take this one measure at a time over and over. Like rubbing my belly and patting my head.
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For some reason I am having trouble hearing the hammer-ons particularly the second one in measures 2, 4 6 and 8. When I play it the hammer-ons sound out. This one was a definite challenge but fun to play.
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The video is hanging up again for me… Is there someplace I can submit a service ticket?
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That was a tough one. Hammering and plucking at the same time is going to take some getting used to. I see a thumb pick in my future!
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I get the hammer-ons. The bigger issue for me is to be able to press the string hard enough with my pinky that it rings, so that you can actually hear the hammer-on. Need a better callous I guess, which means more practicing!!
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Holy cow…. This truly is a tough challenge. I can see several sit down with the tab chart sessions to get this one. It helps to walk away and go back later.
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This is the first time I can say I’m a little overly frustrated. I’m not getting the hammer. I guess I need to understand the tab a bit more also.
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this is first time through this one…A little above my level.
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The second day of this and it’s getting better. I’m still having trouble with the hammer-ons using my pinky, especially on the high e string. I almost can’t get my ring finger over enough to not mute it and can’t yet hit it hard enough with the pinky to really sound the hammer-on. I’ll keep at it though.
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I’m not sure exactly what I’m supposed to be doing…or what the “hammer” actually is! I tried listening to it being played but didn’t give me any clues as to how to pull off this sound. Need to go back to it when I have more patience.
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You could practice the hammer-ons by themselvers. Play the G string open and come down hard with your index finger on the first fret to sound that note. Open G (slam down index on 1st fret) G#. Just repeat this until you’re able to get it in your fingers. The next one is open B to the 3rd fret with your pinky. This is the harder one for me. But if you just practice those outside of the exercise a little, you’ll eventually get them and then later on, incorporate them into the challenge. I’m not sure how long you’ve been playing, but I have been playing for over 30 years and am still having trouble with this one if it make you feel any better 🙂
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This one is especially difficult for me. Finger-style is not a strong suit. Also, the timing of the hammer-ons from the up beat is strange to me. I was able to play the basic chords and the turnaround, but that’s about it for now.
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agree
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Difficult for me, practiced it many times!
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I’m with all the comments about getting the hammer-on/bass note timing right. Can do it very slowly and I’m encouraged by the comments to keep at it. Will do. Thanks
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Chords for the turnaround are incorrectly labeled-C#7, C7, B7. Otherwise, nice lesson. Thank you, Amy
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Was a great dexterity and coordination challenge.
Way easier when I was feeling it rather than overthinking it. -
Wow, the hammer and simultaneously hitting the bass notes is difficult for me!
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I can sure see myself coming back to this many times. It’s really fun but haven’t got it yet.
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Tony, love the lesson but it keeps buffering and I can’t get through it. Why does the buffering keep happening? Terry
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I finally got it. Need more practice with it though.
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# back- for- more .
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My fingers still hurt from the last exercise
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It’s a little goofy need more time with it.
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my hammer on is weak , but cause I’m worried about the finger picking pattern. ugh..lol
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This one has me beating my head against the wall.
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I quit this one. I’ve practiced this for about 10 hours the last 3 days and I swear I play it worse the more I try it. Very frustrating
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I liked this challenge, relaxing
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This one is hard, but fun. I”m starting to get some of the hammer on’s. I love the sound of them and the finger picking is so cool. Practice, practice, practice!
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Been doing this for a few months on and off. Today I had a revelation!
I wacked a capo on the third fret. So much easier!
And sounded good too.
As I got used to it I then moved the capo back a fret at a time. -
Been figuring out where im going in tac and quit on this 5 day challenge awhile back. Came back here and this hammer the hurt is out of the comfort zone. Finally read some comments and comforting, I have company! So going to take some days, a week, whatever, figure it out. And will review day 1,2 and 3 also. Got a small part of hammer the hurt down so will keep at it, settle down and enjoy the struggle.
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This tune is difficult. I don’t recommend any beginner to try it out. You can try, but don’t get frustrated of you can’t get. Even with my experience it took me two days to get the synchronization of the hammering to work.
Good luck for everyone. -
I was ok just playing it without the hammer on’s Working on it, sounds pretty cool, however. More practice needed
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I’m doing the exact same thing. The hammer on’s will come later!
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This is very frustrating to me. I read the comments below and it seems many of you have the same feelings. I am a beginner, and this is killing me. I can’t read music and the tab on this one really confuses me. I don’t get it. I wonder why there isn’t anyone answering the questions people have here. It feels like the TAC may be too much for me. I have only been at this for 2 weeks now and finished the 30 days to play. It was fun, but wow.
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Hi DHeaton…I don’t know if you should give up on TAC quite yet. This 12 Bar Blues day 4 Hammer the Hurt) is a bear! I’ve been doing TAC for awhile now and I finally decided to move on from this day 4 challenge and try again later. However, I do the daily challenges (not in the skill courses section) and I have seen consistent progress. I was also a beginner. And tabs were hard for me to understand too. But little by little, after many unfinished daily challenges where I just couldn’t quite get it but still played about 20 minutes a day, I am now able to play almost all the of the daily challenges. And some even up to speed. But this day 4 – Hammer the Hurt challenge has me struggling!
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Hello DHeaton,
I play fingerstyle blues for many years. I can remember the struggles I had long ago.
For me it helped to just concentrate on the alternating bass notes with the thumb. Later adding the notes on G string (with index) and B string (with middle) in between the bassnotes (with thumb) Just that. First on an E chord. Later following the blues pattern with E, A and B7 chords. Nothing fancy yet. When I mastered that, it was a lot easier to put in extra notes and extra techniques like hammer ons, pull offs. But in the beginning very slowly. When it’s to difficult for now please don’t worry. It will come over time. Our brain and fingers have to get used to new skills. A comparison: when a child is starting to learn reading, it starts on very simple texts. Difficult books are just frustrating. Simpler texts can be fun and motivating to read more. The child learns and after a time it can go on to a higher level, but not to high, that would be frustrating again. So, please practice what is at your level, have fun, and you will get progress. As I said, I can remember my struggles with these techniques very well. But I have learned to trust the process in our brain and nerves. (And I still get frustrated now and then after decades of playing). Wishing you all the best, Marcel.-
An additional remark: When I am struggling with a piece of music I focus on one measure, I try to play it for a while, I put it away, do something else. Later that day or the following day I practice that same measure again for a while, it still doesn’t work, I put it away etcetera. And after a while I notice that there is progress. Sometimes just a little, sometimes a bit more. Later on I can fall back, again later I seem to make progress etc. But after a while the progress is noticable. Sorry when my English isn’t how it should be.
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Don’t give up just yet. There are some really good tips from llamajacks and Map59. I’ve left a few skill challenges unfinished. Focusing on one measure is a good idea…I do that frequently.
This lesson is very hard. (I still come back to it months later in an attempt to play the whole lick correct.) Playing everyday is the only way to develop finger strength and finger memory (not sure if this is really a true term! ). That’s great you finished the 30 Days to Play…I would review that in between the Daily Challenge. -
I am a beginner as well. I have to write every thing down and review it as I go. Just do the best you can and try not to get to frustrated. It is part of the journey that makes it fun and interesting.
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Several months ago I started the 12 Bar 5 Day Blues Challenge. I now remember why I ended up skipping Day 4. 🙂 While it’s still going to take some work, I have a few more skills and lot more practice under my belt, so this one wasn’t as bad this time around. Now I hope to get it down because I like the way it sounds. Plus, I notice Tony gets a few buzzes while playing it, too. 🙂
Anyway, I’ve been going back around and finishing previously started skills challenges and then I’m moving on to new challenges. I’m much happier with my progress this time.
Everyone enjoy your Thanksgiving.
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Tough getting the timing down on this one
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I enjoyed the lesson
Thank You
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this was not easy and lots to learn.
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Hammer and hit another string makes and brain and my finger Mad at each other. One year in today and this is still a hard to complete. Holly Smokess
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This is going to take a lot of work to get it. My hammer ons are weak, I need some finger strength .
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Took me two and a half weeks to kind of get it
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That first measure is a bear. Still working on it a few days later but sometimes hitting it
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Hmmm. going to have to come back to this one, finding it very tricky.
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Two things I notice with this lesson
First: Fretting finger tips hurt like heck! Any “exercises” to get fingers calloused?
Second: Doing the first bar, I find that my D string rings a long time with E7 fretted. It doesn’t do that otherwise. Any ideas? Thanks. Pete-
Spider exercises every day helped me get them quick also helped with finger streching
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Spider exercises? Where do I find that?
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My finger tips are pretty sore as well, but my callouses are getting better. I started out on a nylon string guitar to get my callouses started. Plus my husband put lighter strings on my Taylor. That has helped as well. It is just a process you have to work through. Good luck!
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Still practicing persistently until I get it PERFECT……whatever that means?
Love your style of instruction Tony P……I’ve learned more on how to play the guitar….work on the guitar and enjoy the experience since enrolling in your course than all the past experiences.
Kudos to you Tony. -
I really love this . This is really not my genre of music, nevertheless: very satisfying. Very rewarding techniques.
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I am hurting trying to hammer on this. Wow!
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Not quite getting how the D and G are connected when hammering on???
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This is a good one! I’ll be spending some time learning this. It sounds cool when done right. I miss more than I get it right, though, but I’m not giving up.
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this lesson has been very challenging for me but after trying at least one hundred times I finally got it, my fingers are very sore but it was very rewarding .
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This is the challenging one I’ve come across yet , may take a few days however I never give up and I will get it . ( before I smash my guitar I hope )
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Not getting this at all. So Frustrated. Im wondering if I skipped some lessons and went to the wrong one.
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I am right there with you. I feel like I jumped into a expert lesson. What happened to the beginning one? I am new to all this and not enjoying this lesson at all. My fingers are killing me.
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Turn around comes along much easier than the other sections of the piece. Interesting challenge
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Still working on this challenge. I’m very slow, but I’m starting to get the pattern. About a quarter speed. I am having a hard time using my pinky to hammer on. Am I doing this wrong?
Congratulations, !
Challenge complete
Come back tomorrow for your next challenge
What a terrifically challenging piece for the newbie. I LOVE it. The time I allot myself flew by this time; it usually does not. So many facets to practice and nail. So funky. So cool.
Needs more work but very cool.
wow, really having to take this one measure at a time over and over. Like rubbing my belly and patting my head.
For some reason I am having trouble hearing the hammer-ons particularly the second one in measures 2, 4 6 and 8. When I play it the hammer-ons sound out. This one was a definite challenge but fun to play.
The video is hanging up again for me… Is there someplace I can submit a service ticket?
That was a tough one. Hammering and plucking at the same time is going to take some getting used to. I see a thumb pick in my future!
I get the hammer-ons. The bigger issue for me is to be able to press the string hard enough with my pinky that it rings, so that you can actually hear the hammer-on. Need a better callous I guess, which means more practicing!!
Holy cow…. This truly is a tough challenge. I can see several sit down with the tab chart sessions to get this one. It helps to walk away and go back later.
This is the first time I can say I’m a little overly frustrated. I’m not getting the hammer. I guess I need to understand the tab a bit more also.
this is first time through this one…A little above my level.
The second day of this and it’s getting better. I’m still having trouble with the hammer-ons using my pinky, especially on the high e string. I almost can’t get my ring finger over enough to not mute it and can’t yet hit it hard enough with the pinky to really sound the hammer-on. I’ll keep at it though.
I’m not sure exactly what I’m supposed to be doing…or what the “hammer” actually is! I tried listening to it being played but didn’t give me any clues as to how to pull off this sound. Need to go back to it when I have more patience.
You could practice the hammer-ons by themselvers. Play the G string open and come down hard with your index finger on the first fret to sound that note. Open G (slam down index on 1st fret) G#. Just repeat this until you’re able to get it in your fingers. The next one is open B to the 3rd fret with your pinky. This is the harder one for me. But if you just practice those outside of the exercise a little, you’ll eventually get them and then later on, incorporate them into the challenge. I’m not sure how long you’ve been playing, but I have been playing for over 30 years and am still having trouble with this one if it make you feel any better 🙂
This one is especially difficult for me. Finger-style is not a strong suit. Also, the timing of the hammer-ons from the up beat is strange to me. I was able to play the basic chords and the turnaround, but that’s about it for now.
agree
Difficult for me, practiced it many times!
I’m with all the comments about getting the hammer-on/bass note timing right. Can do it very slowly and I’m encouraged by the comments to keep at it. Will do. Thanks
Chords for the turnaround are incorrectly labeled-C#7, C7, B7. Otherwise, nice lesson. Thank you, Amy
Was a great dexterity and coordination challenge.
Way easier when I was feeling it rather than overthinking it.
Wow, the hammer and simultaneously hitting the bass notes is difficult for me!
I can sure see myself coming back to this many times. It’s really fun but haven’t got it yet.
Tony, love the lesson but it keeps buffering and I can’t get through it. Why does the buffering keep happening? Terry
I finally got it. Need more practice with it though.
# back- for- more .
My fingers still hurt from the last exercise
It’s a little goofy need more time with it.
my hammer on is weak , but cause I’m worried about the finger picking pattern. ugh..lol
This one has me beating my head against the wall.
I quit this one. I’ve practiced this for about 10 hours the last 3 days and I swear I play it worse the more I try it. Very frustrating
I liked this challenge, relaxing
This one is hard, but fun. I”m starting to get some of the hammer on’s. I love the sound of them and the finger picking is so cool. Practice, practice, practice!
Been doing this for a few months on and off. Today I had a revelation!
I wacked a capo on the third fret. So much easier!
And sounded good too.
As I got used to it I then moved the capo back a fret at a time.
Been figuring out where im going in tac and quit on this 5 day challenge awhile back. Came back here and this hammer the hurt is out of the comfort zone. Finally read some comments and comforting, I have company! So going to take some days, a week, whatever, figure it out. And will review day 1,2 and 3 also. Got a small part of hammer the hurt down so will keep at it, settle down and enjoy the struggle.
This tune is difficult. I don’t recommend any beginner to try it out. You can try, but don’t get frustrated of you can’t get. Even with my experience it took me two days to get the synchronization of the hammering to work.
Good luck for everyone.
I was ok just playing it without the hammer on’s Working on it, sounds pretty cool, however. More practice needed
I’m doing the exact same thing. The hammer on’s will come later!
This is very frustrating to me. I read the comments below and it seems many of you have the same feelings. I am a beginner, and this is killing me. I can’t read music and the tab on this one really confuses me. I don’t get it. I wonder why there isn’t anyone answering the questions people have here. It feels like the TAC may be too much for me. I have only been at this for 2 weeks now and finished the 30 days to play. It was fun, but wow.
Hi DHeaton…I don’t know if you should give up on TAC quite yet. This 12 Bar Blues day 4 Hammer the Hurt) is a bear! I’ve been doing TAC for awhile now and I finally decided to move on from this day 4 challenge and try again later. However, I do the daily challenges (not in the skill courses section) and I have seen consistent progress. I was also a beginner. And tabs were hard for me to understand too. But little by little, after many unfinished daily challenges where I just couldn’t quite get it but still played about 20 minutes a day, I am now able to play almost all the of the daily challenges. And some even up to speed. But this day 4 – Hammer the Hurt challenge has me struggling!
Hello DHeaton,
I play fingerstyle blues for many years. I can remember the struggles I had long ago.
For me it helped to just concentrate on the alternating bass notes with the thumb. Later adding the notes on G string (with index) and B string (with middle) in between the bassnotes (with thumb) Just that. First on an E chord. Later following the blues pattern with E, A and B7 chords. Nothing fancy yet. When I mastered that, it was a lot easier to put in extra notes and extra techniques like hammer ons, pull offs. But in the beginning very slowly. When it’s to difficult for now please don’t worry. It will come over time. Our brain and fingers have to get used to new skills. A comparison: when a child is starting to learn reading, it starts on very simple texts. Difficult books are just frustrating. Simpler texts can be fun and motivating to read more. The child learns and after a time it can go on to a higher level, but not to high, that would be frustrating again. So, please practice what is at your level, have fun, and you will get progress. As I said, I can remember my struggles with these techniques very well. But I have learned to trust the process in our brain and nerves. (And I still get frustrated now and then after decades of playing). Wishing you all the best, Marcel.
An additional remark: When I am struggling with a piece of music I focus on one measure, I try to play it for a while, I put it away, do something else. Later that day or the following day I practice that same measure again for a while, it still doesn’t work, I put it away etcetera. And after a while I notice that there is progress. Sometimes just a little, sometimes a bit more. Later on I can fall back, again later I seem to make progress etc. But after a while the progress is noticable. Sorry when my English isn’t how it should be.
Don’t give up just yet. There are some really good tips from llamajacks and Map59. I’ve left a few skill challenges unfinished. Focusing on one measure is a good idea…I do that frequently.
This lesson is very hard. (I still come back to it months later in an attempt to play the whole lick correct.) Playing everyday is the only way to develop finger strength and finger memory (not sure if this is really a true term! ). That’s great you finished the 30 Days to Play…I would review that in between the Daily Challenge.
I am a beginner as well. I have to write every thing down and review it as I go. Just do the best you can and try not to get to frustrated. It is part of the journey that makes it fun and interesting.
Several months ago I started the 12 Bar 5 Day Blues Challenge. I now remember why I ended up skipping Day 4. 🙂 While it’s still going to take some work, I have a few more skills and lot more practice under my belt, so this one wasn’t as bad this time around. Now I hope to get it down because I like the way it sounds. Plus, I notice Tony gets a few buzzes while playing it, too. 🙂
Anyway, I’ve been going back around and finishing previously started skills challenges and then I’m moving on to new challenges. I’m much happier with my progress this time.
Everyone enjoy your Thanksgiving.
Tough getting the timing down on this one
I enjoyed the lesson
Thank You
this was not easy and lots to learn.
Hammer and hit another string makes and brain and my finger Mad at each other. One year in today and this is still a hard to complete. Holly Smokess
This is going to take a lot of work to get it. My hammer ons are weak, I need some finger strength .
Took me two and a half weeks to kind of get it
That first measure is a bear. Still working on it a few days later but sometimes hitting it
Hmmm. going to have to come back to this one, finding it very tricky.
Two things I notice with this lesson
First: Fretting finger tips hurt like heck! Any “exercises” to get fingers calloused?
Second: Doing the first bar, I find that my D string rings a long time with E7 fretted. It doesn’t do that otherwise. Any ideas? Thanks. Pete
Spider exercises every day helped me get them quick also helped with finger streching
Spider exercises? Where do I find that?
My finger tips are pretty sore as well, but my callouses are getting better. I started out on a nylon string guitar to get my callouses started. Plus my husband put lighter strings on my Taylor. That has helped as well. It is just a process you have to work through. Good luck!
Still practicing persistently until I get it PERFECT……whatever that means?
Love your style of instruction Tony P……I’ve learned more on how to play the guitar….work on the guitar and enjoy the experience since enrolling in your course than all the past experiences.
Kudos to you Tony.
I really love this . This is really not my genre of music, nevertheless: very satisfying. Very rewarding techniques.
I am hurting trying to hammer on this. Wow!
Not quite getting how the D and G are connected when hammering on???
This is a good one! I’ll be spending some time learning this. It sounds cool when done right. I miss more than I get it right, though, but I’m not giving up.
this lesson has been very challenging for me but after trying at least one hundred times I finally got it, my fingers are very sore but it was very rewarding .
This is the challenging one I’ve come across yet , may take a few days however I never give up and I will get it . ( before I smash my guitar I hope )
Not getting this at all. So Frustrated. Im wondering if I skipped some lessons and went to the wrong one.
I am right there with you. I feel like I jumped into a expert lesson. What happened to the beginning one? I am new to all this and not enjoying this lesson at all. My fingers are killing me.
Turn around comes along much easier than the other sections of the piece. Interesting challenge
Still working on this challenge. I’m very slow, but I’m starting to get the pattern. About a quarter speed. I am having a hard time using my pinky to hammer on. Am I doing this wrong?