[mcarlson_sb]

Also.. 30 days ago there is NO WAY I could have done that.

Every day a little better is building up quickly.

[mcarlson_sb]

That’s awesome!!!

[mcarlson_sb]

congratulations!

It’s awesome when it happens isn’t it?

[mcarlson_sb]

thank you all for the encouragement

[mcarlson_sb]

Ooops.

Just realized I peeked ahead to week 4 and that was the lesson that unlocked all this for me.

Oh darn. I’ll have to play around with it more next week when I watch those lessons again 😆

[mcarlson_sb]

that’s awesome!

Consistency for the win

[mcarlson_sb]

Before looking for streches it might be useful to think about what’s tight and why.

Is your shoulder tight or relaxed?

Is your forearm tight or relaxed?

How much bend is at your wrist?

How close is your palm to the neck?

How curled are your fingers?

For this position is your index finger tight to your pointer finger or loose?

Are you learning over the guitar to look at the strings?

I have a lot of trouble with all of these.. so I’m super conscious of body mechanics and form.

One thing I’m learning is that “relaxed” is key and when I tense up other muscles than just those needed to make the cord shape I’m making it harder.

[mcarlson_sb]

Congrats on the momentum.

It’s not exactly the same but there are fret board apps for smartphones that would allow some fun.

I travel a lot for work and have a travel guitar that fits as carry on.

If nothing else you can listen to music and tap your foot and air strum to keep time.

Get creative and find a fun way that works for you.

Cheers

[mcarlson_sb]

Also, thank you for your question!!!

Because you asked it I found this link:

http://tacsongs.com/

[mcarlson_sb]

First, I’m only on week two, so take my experience for what it’s worth.

At this stage I’ve been enjoying playing songs with a backing track.

What I mean:

I find a song with cords I know or want to stretch myself with (something like Ed Sheeran’s “Sing” – Em, Am)

I find either the original or some other video to play along with. (sometimes this requires a capo to find the right key)

I start by strumming only on the major beats (usually 1, or 1&3) to find the chord changes

Then I add a simple strumming pattern

This way I don’t have to know the whole song to be able to play a whole song.

And I can keep adding as I get better.

[mcarlson_sb]

Into week two and I’ve played at least once for 10 min (usually longer) every day.

I was amazed the other night whe I’d been playing for a half hour and my fingers didn’t hurt.

Along with the 30 day challenge material I’m also reaching out and actively looking for things to add to my playing time that I enjoy.

Currently it’s “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd

It floors me that I can even kinda-sorta play a basic version of the intro already.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by  mcarlson_sb.

[mcarlson_sb]

I’m not there yet (still playing through the first 30 day challenge).

It looks like the next step after is the 5 day guitar routine challenge to give us an on ramp onto the daily challenges.

https://tonypolecastro.com/courses/5-day-guitar-routine-challenge/

[mcarlson_sb]

small win : day 5

First off.. I’ve played 5 days in a row.

Also, today I consciously played without looking at my fingers.

It was only switch back and forth from Am to Em (playing along with an Ed Sheeran song) – but it was the first time I didn’t have to look at either my fretting fingers or the strings while playing.

It felt great

[mcarlson_sb]

keep it up!

It works

[mcarlson_sb]

Thank you MG!

I did a thing. Recorded myself and posted it in the Play For Us channel.

I hope other people who have similar hangups about being seen/heard listen to your encouragement also.