[Cadgirl]

@Loraine ,I also find strumming difficult. There are a lot of courses on the site and I’m going to take advantage of them. I’ll keep working at it. Thanks

[Cadgirl]

Don’t worry @Dirk_K. 6 weeks is a long time but there is plenty to do. You can learn how to use a slide for one. Sit on the couch with the head stock on the arm of the coach and slide away. Tony has a course and there are plenty courses on the web. I’m wondering if you could use a child’s guitar, like a First Act. They are 1/4 size (and about $30)? I have one myself that I use with the Challenges. Figure out how to use Recording Equipment. Download Garageband and figure out how to use it. When you get back into playing you will already be primed to start uploading songs in a VOM. I like @Loraine idea of building your music theory. I’ve read in other posts the Fretboard Wizard is coming up soon. Good luck.

[Cadgirl]

Just to let you all know, the Fretboard Wizard is well worth it. I am going through it again (you only pay once). Very informative.

[Cadgirl]

Thank you @Cherie , now I don’t have any excuses for not playing 🙂

[Cadgirl]

I think it was helpful in explaining the timing of strums. I just need a lot of practice yet.

[Cadgirl]

Thanks @Cherie , I did like the course. Very basic but still helps. I think I hold back on strumming because its so much louder. If you hit the strings wrong in a strum it super loud mistake (THanGGGGG…..) whereas if I make a mistake picking, it’s not as noticeable (ping).

[Cadgirl]

Thanks @Rando , the challenges are good but take advantage of the numerous courses that Tony has.

[Cadgirl]

Thanks @johnny67 I have a couple of songs that I’m trying to strum properly. I just have a hard time with it. I don’t think it sounds right anyway. My 2 strum songs right now are Wagon Wheel and I Walk the Line. Should be 2 songs that I can get the hang of.

[Cadgirl]

I have never used the ‘play for me’ . I have seen numerous videos of members on it thou. Start a post in the Community and I’m sure someone will put you on the straight and narrow. You don’t have to remember the challenges. It’s just to get your fingers into the motion. It will all come together in time.

[Cadgirl]

Thanks @ted_h , I like the routine I have with TAC, but I too started using other sites for different areas of my learning experience. ha ha ha…. I also like not having to think about what to start my day out with in guitar. The daily challenges are still great.

[Cadgirl]

Thanks @mkjohnsons , I like to help out as much as I can. Seems like all of us help out each other 🙂

[Cadgirl]

Thanks, Since I have decided to stay, i am going to take advantage of Tony’s numerous classes. I just finished the strumming course and taking the fretboard wizard over again. I understand the fretboard wizard more every time i do it.

[Cadgirl]

Yep. you are so right. I think I am going to get along very well with my new guitar. My GS mini i’m going to tune to an Open D. I still have a Cordoba nylon string that I play a lot, mainly because it’s easy on my fingers when I’m just trying to practice something (like the challenges).

[Cadgirl]

Thanks @Loraine I was wondering about this myself. The strings on my GS mini look a little yucky. I just added the guitar cleaner to my amazon list.

[Cadgirl]

Just to let you know @ironpat. The Martin-D28 I purchased just last year went to the guitar store and was traded in for something smaller and easier for me to handle. I still lost money on the trade but I love the guitar I ended up with, fits me perfect (this is just over a year on my guitar journey). My advice is to use your current guitar for the meantime and take the time to do a lot of shopping around at the guitar stores. My most used guitar I own is a Cordoba 1/2 size guitar. Cost me all of $65. Nylon strings, doesn’t kill my fingers, great for practice. Great for taking with you when you travel. Take the advice of what the community sent to you and try them out, all of them if you can. Good Luck.