BarbaraM
Forum Replies Created
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That video sounds like just what I need! I also do the finger stretches in Tony’s Skills section.
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Thank you both, RiverRooo and Moose408! I knew this on some subconscious level, but I am somewhat of a perfectionist and can get easily frustrated when something feels too challenging, or if I feel too rushed. But with maturity comes wisdom, and I realize I will not always struggle with lack of coordination and weak hands, not if I keep at it! And keep at it I will, as, in spite of my seeming lack of progress, I AM having fun!
Barbara M
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On the left of every page is a menu. Under Skill Courses is 5-Day Challenge. In there it should show a calendar week with dates. I have been on the 30 Days to Play, about 2/3 through, and have just started into the Wagon Wheel challenge. Good luck in your journey!
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Sorry, my mistake. It’s in the menu at the left but at the top under Daily Challenge. Click Start Challenge and it will show the current week.
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It’s in the Skills Courses > Fretting Hand Skills Toolbox > Harmonics (the last lesson in that course).
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I could try the phone for the video, see if that works. But I do enlarge the pdf of the tab when I print it, but you can only go so far. Reading it on the computer is fine, but I can only view that screen so long without eyestrain, and I’d have to stop and keep scrolling, so I couldn’t use that to play along. I do get what you mean about using the notes for timing and the tab for fret position.
What I think I was trying to ask is, if you don’t read notes, does playing by ear and memorizing slow you down or enhance your learning?
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Yes, I get that about being exposed to a technique and practicing it for ten minutes a day. In fact, the time I spend on the video lesson I don’t even count as my 10 minutes. As for books, I’m more of a visual learner, so I like to see something in front of me that I can refer to several times until I get it. So hearing Tony explain the finger positions on the video briefly only does part of it for me. I do view it more than once, but often he spends too much time reiterating how important it is to have a routine and show up every day (which is important, and I’ve never missed a day of practice) but then he rushes through the lesson. It may be a technical issue, (or my crappy old laptop) but the video skips and hangs, and sometimes the audio, so I miss stuff, and I have never been able to follow his fingering positions. Most of the time I view the lesson, then sit down with my printed tab and work through it while the lesson is fresh in my mind.
That said, I’m committed to this program, and to learning guitar. I was just wondering if anyone else here found other programs/materials helpful to augment this one.
Barbara M
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This thread answered my question as well! I think the symbol you’re looking for, Moose, is a little “bench” looking thing, for a downstroke?
Barbara M
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No worries, Loraine, we’re cool! 🙂
Barbara M
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Oh I’m not complaining or criticizing the TAC program at all. It has helped me renew my enjoyment of this wonderful instrument. I played a little many years ago, took lessons briefly from a friend, but consider myself a beginner. I was just getting a bit frustrated at the speed toward even a little proficiency it seemed was expected of us. So I’m going to take the philosophy used by many horse trainers: “It takes as long as it takes!”
I’m glad my question helped others in the same boat!
BarbaraM
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That’s kind of what I think I should do. I have started the 5-day challenges, got stuck on the hammer on/pull off thing, which actually seems better on my cheap guitar. My biggest challenge there is single note picking without getting on the wrong string! I need to rig up a way to have the tab in front of me so I don’t have to keep looking to the side and losing my place; maybe an adjustable music stand so I can place it low, as I’m sitting.
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Hi Loraine! I think you mean the ring finger, right? Anyway, I have tried that, but I lose firm contact on the A string. Then the middle finger mutes the G string. I’ve partly gotten around it by rolling my fingers not just upright, but way around, almost onto the nails. Then someone suggested using the capo, so I’m down where the frets are closer together.
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Are you measuring from nut to bridge? My Zager50 OM is smaller than a dreadnaught and it measures 25-3/4″, and from fret 2 to fret 4 is 2-1/2″. It’s bigger than a youth or parlor guitar, and I can reach most things, though I have to rock my hand on the blues shuffle.
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Thanks for that suggestion. I have been doing grip strengthening exercises, so I’m not sure that is my issue. Though getting my brain to tell individual fingers what to do will come with practice I’m sure. And I do the stretching as well.
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I kind of fixed that by switching the index and middle fingers on the D chord. The index is folded over more, and tucked under the middle finger, but nothing is muted. I want to be able to do it the proper way too, as it seems easier to get into position.