[jorgemac]

A 2 string Hybris style for me is use the Pick the “bass” String note and my middle finger plucking up for the other string, This works good for picking strings more than a string apart really well.

Again a C chord XX2x1x. Use the pick on 2 and my index or middle finger on the 1. You can walk that all the way up the neck and play partial chords D, E, F, G, A and B up to the 12th fret.

[jorgemac]

I hybrid pick, Using Pick and fingers. So the pick is usually a down stroke and my middle finger usually an up stoke. This works for me especially if we are picking 3 or 4 string upstrokes.

I do sometimes use regular down, up picking strokes sometimes but do like the tone the hybrid up stroke style makes and use it a lot.

A 1st position C chord, X3201X, would use the pick on the Bass “C” note and my middle finger would sweep upward for the other 3 strings.

I have been doing this so long that it is automatic for my picking right hand to do this motion for pretty much all “up stroke” notes.

[jorgemac]

I have a 3″ binder with all of the lessons printed out and usually review the coming week on Sunday afternoons, just to warm up for the following week. I also have favorites that I include in my other song practice binder. Ain’t no sunshine, Hotel California, Neil Young, Friend of the devil, Let it Be.

When practicing songs that i enjoy picking regularly I don’t usually follow the TAC lessons stroke for stroke but do incorporate parts of the TAC lessons that fit my “take” on the song I am practicing , at that moment.

[jorgemac]

Hey Angelo_E,

The playing action on an acoustic guitar is different in feel an in tone than the system you are using. i began on acoustic, then electric and now back to acoustic. If you buy a cheap acoustic the action will probably not be that good.

I recently purchased a $250 Orangewood Oliver model and it did come set up and is a remarkably good “beginner’ guitar that I would recommend to anyone just starting out.

[jorgemac]

Hey Sky,

I pick in the back yard patio area also, sometimes. The problem for me is that the neighbors make song requests over the fence…

I like what I’m working on and just yell back at them something like… “In Your Dreams and as soon as the sun rises … from the west I’ll pick that tune for you, unless it is HIP Hop. Or “how are your bass lessons coming along”. That usually gets a laugh and shuts them up. They have heard me play poorly in the past and now that I can actually pick some tunes they do appreciate the change.

[jorgemac]

I have been learning the Dead version of I know you Rider over the week end and the Ultimate Guitar version has been very helpful. I was able to slow it down and concentrate on 3 separate parts – rhythm, lead and vocals. 1st worked on the vocal portion, then the rhythm, then lead. Their breakdown of all 3 portions was very helpful. Now playing it around 90 BPM and hope to get up to 120 by later today. Great fun.

[jorgemac]

Hey Bill B,

Forgot all about the you tube stuff. Thanks for the comments.

I used to try them, but, liked the fact that I could slow down the Ultimate and Songsterr lessons, change music keys, Print out the songs tabs, including bass, harmonica, even some cello lead lines like the Blue grass group Crooked Still with a lead Cello player and a great version of “Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down”.

Also many of the song tabs have an added sax or organ line devoted to the song’s vocals. That is an easy way to develop a melody lick. Just copy the Sax/vocal tab that has already been converted to guitar tab notes and you can then arrange it to fit what you are trying to say through your guitar.

This works really well with finding the in-between vocal notes using your slide/bottle neck.

[jorgemac]

i have 2 retired office chairs that I removed the arms from. One in the music area and one in my bedroom. I’m old and want to sit down when playing and they are super comfortable. Most office chairs have removable arm rests. I did purchase a padded “guitar Stool” but I never have felt comfortable using it.

[jorgemac]

Both sites were helpful when I was learning St. James Infirmary a few weeks back. Songsterr had versions by Justin Johnson, Snooks Eaglin and a tradition finger picking version were very helpful.

I combined the Traditional Version for the finger picking and the the other 2 versions to develop my own licks and fills to make the song my own.

[jorgemac]

hey JNJ.

I just think some of the other old timers should be seen as we talk to them all of the time. I’m way out ,close to the pacific and will probably will never have the opportunity to jam with most of you but do feel a connection to folks I correspond with.

Love to see there photos as more of a part of our weekly lesson as I feel they contribute to our group on a daily basis . Just seems more personal, too me.

BTW I have only been a TACer for about 18 months. Some of the folks i mentioned have been doing this for years and i appreciate there never ending positive enthusiasm they display on a daily basis.

[jorgemac]

Sorry can’t open it.

[jorgemac]

Wondered what was going on. I’ll email you.

[jorgemac]

If you have some picking experience and know your basic chords you can knock it out in a Sunday afternoon. If you are Newbie you will probably need closer to the 30 days to teach your fingers how to form chords and get over the finger tip soreness of continuous daily practice. learn the chord shapes and how to strum/pick your guitar strings. It isn’t a race and each of us has to chart our own course through the lessons.

Some daily lesson can be knocked out in the 10 minute time frame and some of them will need to be revisited many times to help feel comfortable. That what my weekends are used for, noodling and revisiting lessons.

[jorgemac]

I use mostly .12’s with heavy bass strings.

I do use .13’s if I want a heavier tone but mostly drop the strings down a note

E B G D A E Treble to Bass strings

becomes tuned down to D A F C G D or like, Stevie Ray Vaughn, D# A# F# C# G# D#, which fits my voice better.

[jorgemac]

there are online youtube hand and finger stretching exercises you could consider.

I have mild arthritis and use CBD cream, a therapeutic squeeze ball and chinese exercise steel balls that seem to help.