[Moose408]

I’m not sure I understand the issue. The backing track that is included with the lesson is the same backing track that Tony plays in the video when he demos playing the scale over the backing track.

Is the issue that it is too loud, or that the notes don’t work with it?

[Moose408]

It depends on how much time you are practicing. If you are trying something for 10 mins, giving it your best shot, and then moving on, you are really devoting enough time for it to become a bad habit. If however you spend an hour on it doing it wrong then yes you could be developing bad habits. Typically it’s going to take multiple days of longer practice sessions to commit what you’re doing to your subconscious. Since Tony mixes stuff up everyday the chances of that happening are small.

I’ve been here since June and can rarely play along with Tony and the backing track on Thursdays and Fridays. I’m a little better on the technique, lick, and improv days. Most of time I spend enough time that I can get most of it under my fingers and can feel like I made progress from the beginning of the lesson until the stopping point.

[Moose408]

I originally learned palm muting so that is what I used for the challenge. On the down-strum, just before striking the strings I lay the meaty part of my palm and outside edge of my hand on the strings, which deadens them during the down-strum. It’s takes practice to get both the timing and the correct amount of pressure, but it’s not too challenging.

I tried Tony’s technique of using my finger, but found it very challenging.

[Moose408]

Often the TAB will have an indicator that shows the pick direction.

V for upstroke

And this symbol rotated 90 degrees [ for downstroke

(sorry I can’t find the actual symbol on my keyboard)

If you post a link to the TAB might be able to explain further.

[Moose408]

I don’t have the answer, but my session count has never been accurate. I been using the app Andante to keep track of my actual time practicing and my session count.

[Moose408]

The common suggestion for up-strums is to hit the bottom 3-4 strings. It’s not exact but should be more than 1 and less than 6. The tab will typically show four strings.

[Moose408]

I tried power chords during the 30-day challenge and struggled and moved on. I recently had to learn them for another course I’m taking as they are part of an assessment needed to progress in the course. It took me roughly 3 week to be able to play them correctly and consistently. I ended up doing my assessment on my acoustic as I found them easier on it than my electric.

I would say move on. They haven’t really been used in any of the daily challenges I’ve encountered since I’ve joined TAC.

[Moose408]

Seriously, this is a common issue with beginning guitar players. I would recommend doing some finger stretching exercises, Tony has a couple in the Skills Courses.

It does take time, it took me 5 months to get the C-chord comfortably, so don’t beat yourself up that you can’t do it after only 3 weeks,

[Moose408]

Ok, I won’t tell you. 😀

[Moose408]

Yep, if you click on Forums in the left-hand navigation bar it will take you an overview of all of the forum categories and there is a “Search Forums” text box at the very top.

Here’s the link https://tonypolecastro.com/family-forums/

[Moose408]

I’m going to elaborate a little on my play left-handed comment. Sorry if I go a little too deep into neuroplasticity and the brain.

It should not matter which hand you learn to fret with. It is a new skill that your brain has never encountered. The brain learns new skills through focused activity and repetition. When these two things occur it actually changes the neural pathways in your brain and creates routines in your subconscious. Many people refer to this as “muscle memory”. You could learn to play with your feet for that matter, it doesn’t matter to the brain. The key is to have focused regular practice for the skill you want to learn.

You could learn to modify chord shapes to accommodate your injury, the challenge is that you will be somewhat on your own trying to figure out those modifications, as most lessons make assumptions about chord shapes. As you learn music theory and the fretboard modifications will be come much easier, but it is probably 6-9 months into your guitar journey and it’s going to be frustrating getting there.

Justin of JustinGuitar, has played his guitar right-handed for 30+ years, but to validate his beginner course he went through the lessons playing left-handed (they are documented on YouTube under Nitsuj, Justin spelled backwards). He had the same struggles as any beginner but eventually developed the “muscle memory” in order to play proficiently left-handed. So it’s not impossible, it’s just what you practice.

There is a great book on how the brain learns and talks about learning stringed instruments, “The Laws of Brainjo” by Turknett. Highly recommended for understanding the process of learning a new skill like the guitar.

[Moose408]

Paint Shaker – https://tonypolecastro.com/lessons/paint-shaker-2/

Color Swatch – https://tonypolecastro.com/lessons/color-swatch-2/

Drop Cloth – https://tonypolecastro.com/lessons/drop-cloth-2/

Painter’s Tape – https://tonypolecastro.com/lessons/painters-tape-2/

Paint Roller – https://tonypolecastro.com/lessons/paint-roller-2/

[Moose408]

Unfortunately I cannot reverse engineer the URL without the name of the missing lessons.

The URL contains the name with – replacing spaces, so
kc12-accidentals-key-g is KC12 Accidentals (Key of G).

Without the name it’s pretty much impossible to guess.

[Moose408]

I don’t know about any specific Zoom meetup but that might be interesting.

I have found multiple beginner guitar get-togethers in my area through Meetup.com. One meets once a month and another weekly. I’ve been going for a couple of months and have learned a ton from the other participants. Might want to check if there are any meetups in your area.

[Moose408]

I mistakenly replied to the original message from Barbara and not yours. See below for the BB King links.