The Shuffle
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The Shuffle

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  2. Louis A September 19, 2017

    Tony, couple of questions. Even if I’m not rock solid on the 3rd part of this lesson should I mark it complete and just favorite it to keep practicing on or wait until I’m smooth at even a slow pace? Also I’m not sure where I should go on the website if I feel stuck or just kinda blah on the paticular lesson I’m on while in acoustic 101? Any susggestions are grateful…I think the site and instruction is great by the way thank you for the simplicity

    Louis

    1. Tony Polecastro September 21, 2017

      Louis,

      Great questions!!! To mark an exercise complete all you have to do is spend a focused 10 minutes on it, you don’t have to master it or be able to play it at a certain speed. As for where to go when you get stuck or feel flat, There are two places that can help: 1.) The inspiration station… this will show you new artists and definitely stoke the guitar geek fire 🙂 2.) The practice libraries are another place that you can peruse when feeling like things aren’t jiving. You can page through tons of licks and exercises and pick something that calls out to you or that you just like the sound of 🙂

      I hope that helps 🙂

      Cheers,
      Tony

  3. Kert August 6, 2017

    Ridiculous question here, but as i’m working on placing my fingers in the correct places on the frets, am i supposed to do this without touching any other strings? I want to make sure i’m doing it right as I am working through the shuffle, but feel like my fingers may be touching the string below just slightly. Since i’m practicing the shuffle, it doesn’t show up because i’m not strumming the string below, but want to practice the correct habits. So overall, as i practice placing fingers on strings at different frets, am i supposted to stay clear of string below the one i’m pressings (i guess that means it’s the higher string).

    And thanks in advance. I’ve been practicing for all of 3 days, but am having a blast and looking forward to learning and getting better.

    1. Tony Polecastro August 9, 2017

      Kert,

      Great question!!! In this instance resting your fingers on the other strings (below what you are fretting) is an asset so for now don’t change a thing. In the case of chords work on proper arch as this is necessary for good clean sounding chords 🙂

      Cheers,
      Tony

  4. arianeheinz August 2, 2017

    The fingers playing the chord are actually doing alright for me (other than getting sore and also numb at their tips…). The hardest thing for me is to control the picking fingers…
    Any strategies on how not to lose track of where my picking fingers are?
    Should I be using the thumb and ring fingers to pinch the two strings?
    Also, should I be using my bare fingers or is there a way to use a pick somehow?

    1. Tony Polecastro August 4, 2017

      Ariane,

      Theses are great questions!!! I am glad to hear the fretting is going well for you!!! As for the picking hand, you can use your index finger and thumb to pinch the strings or you can introduce a pick, really whichever finds you picking with more confidence and knowing where the strings are. One way to work on that picking hand awareness is to leave your fretting fingers in just one spot and focus on playing the two strings without looking at them… doing this will build confidence and awareness 🙂 I hope that helps you out 🙂

      Cheers,
      Tony

  5. Marissa C July 17, 2017

    This is a great exercise. Despite being a simple pattern, it’s actually quite challenging and holds my interest. I’m happy to keep playing it over and over and over again until I feel like it’s right.

  9. Shagufta M May 23, 2017

    I just started playing guitar less than 2 weeks ago and with the exception of yesterday I’ve practiced every day so far. This exercise helped me notice that I’m a little better at moving between frets than I was last week!! Yay!! 😀

  12. Ron M March 26, 2017

    Love the exercise. I need a lot more hours on it to make it smooth. But it is a simple and achievable objective. When I can play it all the way through it will definitely be a success for me !!!! Ron

  13. John W February 3, 2017

    So far so good. I’m enjoying this lesson and looking forward to a “little win” soon. I just need to smooth out the strumming a bit.

  14. bertolare December 31, 2016

    Good stuff Tony – well done. I go through it a little bit faster as a beginner should, but I find it usefull anyway. Repeating things can never be wrong….

  17. Ron P May 19, 2016

    Tony…if I had this kind of learning material available 50 years ago I would have stayed with it! Thanks for making this so enjoyable to stay with it!

    1. JamesS April 26, 2016

      I already had a Yamaha Raider – the new one is a Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic. So now I have 2 motorcycles.

      I am hoping and praying that there is no such thing as MAS… lol

  19. JamesS March 13, 2016

    I consider myself to be just a tad below intermediate level , but am starting at the very beginning so I can develope a routine.
    I bought a motorcycle las t saturday and have been riding it every chance I get, so my guitar studies have suffered as a result. I think I better get back on the stick! lol :O)

  20. David S February 24, 2016

    When I began guitar lessons 51 years ago (at age 10) TAB was non-existent. We learned how to read music notation which has come in handy over the years especially when I added piano to my collection of instruments. So I always look to the notation when doing your lessons. I encourage students to learn to read notation. However, having said that, I am finding the TAB very helpful in looking at the alternate fingering positions you offer for songs and exercises.

  22. gary February 9, 2016

    Hi Tony – gonna be a hit here in Memphis next time on Beale street, thanks. One question – do you show any strumming techniques w/the pick as i find that a bit more challenging than the actual fretting?

    1. Tony Polecastro February 11, 2016

      Gary,

      Yes indeed, I am working on material for a followup series that is a bit more “pick-centric” Involving strumming styles and approaches with the pick.

      Cheers,
      Tony

  23. Gin January 31, 2016

    Thanks Tony. I am RE-Learning guitar due to giving it up for 12 yrs due to progressive limited hands (Multiple Sclerosis.) Decided to just try to play what I CAN so I went out, bought a guitar again and joined your site. I love your site because for new players or players who need simple and easy…you have cool stuff to learn instead of Go Tell Aunt Rhodie. Thanks for the great content for us beginners.

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