[the-old-coach]

I get it.

We all get it…. somewhat.

If your fingers are sore, you are on the right track! They’ll callous and get tougher! Doing things with your fingers- (like all the “reaches”, and stretches, and really sore fingers, means that you are doing exactly what you should be doing!

[the-old-coach]

WOW— I can’t touch that….

Congrats on your tough, stick-to-it-iveness. Pretty amazing………

Thanks for sharing……. people are watching!!!!

[the-old-coach]

Tamz–

You have some great responses so far– you’re not likely to find any better sources of advice and encouragement than Miss Loraine, and AlbertD!!!! (two of MY heroes!)

I have a couple things to add (maybe?)–

* Find the warm-up/stretching exercises course– (it’s within the Skills course section of TAC). Become familiar with what you’re trying to accomplish with these exercises, but don’t over-do it. They really help– especially if you are just starting out!

* Expect and enjoy your mistakes— you are learning more from THEM than you know!

* Make stopping by here in the Forum and EVERYDAY thing! And remember that NO question is too small or “dumb”… Ask-away even if you think it may sound silly or “dumb” to you— it’s not EITHER— we have all been newbies. This Forum is a GREAT source of help, advice, and encouragement— (if you’re doin’ it right- you will need all three!). Expect, embrace, and chuckle at any “frustration” you come across.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

J-A–

Congrats– you are on the right track!

You must already have some other chords playable(?), ‘cuz there are easier chords starting-out, than the F- (in either form).

My two-cents:

1. Do your fretting hand stretching exercises. You may not need to do 5-10 minutes of them- but do SOME… they help! And not just your fingers– also wrist and even forearm.

2. Repetition…… repetition…… repetition……

3. Practice transitioning both “to” and “from” your mini F to/from any of your other chords. (Actually from ANY chord to/from ANY other chord (again, see #2))…..

4. Try to work INTO — (over time)— purposefully NOT looking at your fretting hand. Expect a bit of frustration doing this at the start. Try doing it with your eyes closed— your mind will be more focused on the task. Embrace doing it wrong and chuckle at your mistakes! Remember– you only learn by doing something wrong….. and then figuring out how or why. That “figuring-out how or why” is what leaves tracks in your brain……

In a short amount of time— it’ll be second nature!

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Albert-

Thanks for replying!

When I listened back to it a couple of times— I wondered if I should “post” it or not— or hold on to it and refine it a bit- (rewrite some of the lyrics, shorten it up, maybe try a different key, etc). But I figured it’d be a good “before” video, so why not……

But in retrospect, I think I put it out there too soon……

There’s a better song hidden in there than what I posted-out, that’s for sure.

I’ll work on it a LOT, and re-post it sometime in the future.

Lesson learned…….. all part of the journey.

Thanks again—

mark

[the-old-coach]

This is great stuff, Albert! Inspirational.

And what Kona_Bruce says— “if it sounds good, it IS good, and any way you make it sound good is a “right way to play it”. Can’t tell you how much more fun I started having once THAT sunk in”………

THIS IS SOLID GOLD.

[the-old-coach]

Right on, StevieB!

[the-old-coach]

Bill–

Thanks for the nice comments, and help, and advice, and leading by example, and, and….

Yeah, others have said maybe there could be more guitar-playing actually shown in the video(s), and I think I agree. I didn’t even think about it at the time……

I’ll have to do some thinkin’ on that- (maybe consider using a separate camera that I can place where I want). That’s probably actually pretty easy for the normal person– but I’m sure I can quickly make it difficult- having the highly-developed” overthinking ability” that I possess. All I have now is the camera on my ol’ laptop.

Always great to hear from you!—

mark

[the-old-coach]

StevieB-

I’m late pickin’ up your post also.

“Progress Over Perfection”—— this statement is right on!

Congrats– keep on pushin’ that boulder up the hill!

yer ol’ pal-

theoldcoach- (mark)

[the-old-coach]

Thanks Howard and Bill for responding!

Bill, you nailed it as to exactly how I do it……. After I transpose it “directly”— if it just isn’t exactly the sound I want, I DO mess with it- (as in your example)- and try various other forms of “D”.

Again- thanks for responding!

mark

[the-old-coach]

Thank you for your kind….. true….. words!

mark

[the-old-coach]

Oh, it’s autobiographical alright……….

[the-old-coach]

Patty- Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!

The song needs more work and time- but I think down inside it has a fun message!

mark

[the-old-coach]

Loraine—

You have SUCH a handle and perspective on all of this…. and always have. And I/we notice! ALWAYS an encouraging word and great advice.

And I have said this before- you will always have a place in my heart- because you were the FIRST one to welcome me into TAC when I joined, almost three years ago. And also, that we have travelled the same path with our parents.

I have not forgotten that, and won’t ever.

Keep doin’ what you do, miss……… we appreciate it.

yer ol’ pal-

mark

[the-old-coach]

Loraine—

You are the coolest! You have made a GREAT post there! I read it 3 times, and IMHO, yours are great words to “guitar-live” by.

yer ol’ pal-

mark