[Bradee]

I will cal myself a beginner until my playing becomes decent.

I always wanted to learn, but confidence sucked so I just never started. With that said, I was completely new to guitar May 2023 with just a basic no name acoustic guitar with steel strings probably a wally world special. I have tried a few different apps/programs. I was obsessed at first, playing same routine/song over and over, 2-3 hours a night until I hit gold (bouncy ball app). It was frustrating and I always felt disappointed in myself.

I set the guitar down for a week, came back to it, same thing. One day my daughter who I had bought the guitar for told me that’s why she quit – doing the same thing got old, boring, and she never felt like she was getting anywhere. So this time I put the guitar down for a day, didn’t even look at it. I decided I was just going to play to play not to learn. When I picked it up again, I would go through and choose a song I wanted to play, no set routine, just play it Once and go to another because I didn’t want to become frustrated or bored. I began having fun and not overthinking, but I was still looking as I played chords. Then one night my partner was playing a v-game with lights dimmed and I was too lazy to get up to turn the lights but wanted to play anyways. That changed everything for me! It was like finger memory started to kick in finally. I couldn’t see the neck, but I could still play!

I haven’t found the perfect app/program yet. I started TAC two weeks ago. It is the fourth app/program I’ve tried. In that time, I’ve completed most of the skills/courses while doing the daily challenge. I had the 30-day done in two. So I’ll list what I think are the Pros Cons.

Pros:

Tab music downloads. Most have the chords being used showing. I’ve found I learn the song faster with the sheet music.

Daily Challenge & Self-pace. I am a little ADHD when it comes to the guitar. I’ll spend hours going from one lesson to the next, or in perfection mode on one song. So having the daily challenge and Self-paced skill course allows me to do both.

Videos. I like being able to SEE how someone else plays and having the visual instruction really helps. The videos pop out so I can have the sheet open. He also gives his insight on tips & tricks and makes you feel okay when you don’t follow the way of finger chord placement. I position my fingers for ease of flow and comfort not necessarily the correct finger for the string/fret.

Now the Cons.

Videos. The instruction is sometimes to fast for me and I hate having to rewind or slow it down where it’s garbled.

Skill Courses. There aren’t enough. There also aren’t any specific skill courses for chord transitions which for me is my biggest need for improvement.

Overall. There isn’t a suggested plan to follow. You’re expected to set your own routine. For someone who is advanced this may be a plus, but for a beginner, it is just crazy. I’m a beginner wanting to learn, so how can I know what to do??

It would also be nice to have a record/playback mode so you can hear yourself.

As for more suggestions, I’ll let you know in a month or so. My best advice is to have fun and play in the dark sometimes.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  Bradee.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  Bradee.