[petelanger]

Definitely some interesting songs in the works here, I’m looking forward to watching some of these!

Mad World
Hotel California
Don’t Fear the Reaper (I would like to learn that myself, along with Godzilla)

[petelanger]

I haven’t noticed a problem recently but I lost my streak very early on:

Playing Sessions 52

Current Day Streak 37

Longest Day Streak 37

I never missed a day since I started but some how a day got missed. It’s been fine the last 37 days for me.

[petelanger]

I just posted the one I have been working on: Horse With No Name – it was nowhere near ready but I wanted to have something out, a benchmark if you will to improve on. I’ve set the bar low enough that I should be able to jump over it given time and practice.

I’m working on Lay Down Sally, see you got Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton rocks!
Also working on A Message by Coldplay. I’ve got some others lined up too, but got to save some surprises!

[petelanger]

I agree, I came to TAC to be part of a community. That’s a big component of the total learning experience. Private lessons aren’t really feasible for me, so I’m looking to get the most out of this connection to like minded learners! I’ve been a bit disappointed by the participation at times but it seems to be picking up a bit. Thanks for reaching out, Loraine. I’m definitely not including you in the group of non participants.

[petelanger]

Often the lowest 4 strings are wrapped and the the top 2 plain steel. But there are all kinds of setups. Also, if you buy a lower end guitar it might have very cheap strings that you can just throw away, I did this with my knock-off Strat. Didn’t waste time unwinding them, just took wire cutters and got rid of them quickly.

If after a few weeks of first stretching, tuning and playing your guitar you find that it still goes out of tune quickly, then maybe your strings are no bueno.

I can’t speak to the gauge of strings especially without any info on the make and model of guitar, but even if you supplied that somebody else may be a lot more qualified than I am. I bought my first guitar in January and my second 2 weeks ago! I have heard Ernie Ball Strings are often a popular choice.

I would do an online search on your guitar and try to find a reputable guy on YouTube who can speak about how to set up your guitar.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by  petelanger.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by  petelanger.

[petelanger]

Well done!

[petelanger]

One of my favorite songs from the 60’s! Your style works well for this diddy!

I admire how you put yourself out there, it’s inspiring! I’ve been working on a song because I really want to share something with the TAC community. I’m close but not quite there yet. I’m realizing just how hard it is to sing and play guitar simultaneously!! Can’t seem to go more than a few bars without messing up!

And it’s a real easy song, only 2 chords! But there’s this entity called “Rhythm” and his brother called “Timing”!

[petelanger]

Wish I could help! Although I’m Canadian, I can’t get this down either (yet!). The hammer on the 5th fret sounds a little but on the second fret (D chord) my middle finger is practically mute. I might get a little squeak, but it won’t ring for me!

[petelanger]

Well done!

Prayers for your friend

[petelanger]

Alice’s restaurant would be daunting to do the whole thing. I remember how amazed I was the first time I heard that, it was probably around ’77. It used to come on our local station in Montreal pretty regular for a season.

[petelanger]

Definitely struggled with the rhythm on the strumming too while singing, if you give it a listen you will clearly see that, but I was able to get through it ok.

I started recording over and over again after screw-ups until I finally just played through the problems, I was probably playing the song for over 30 minutes by the end.

I thought about recording a guitar backing track and then singing along with it but then I decided it was a good experience to try to just give it my best shot doing both. I know it sucks but it will probably be better by the next time.

[petelanger]

I finally posted the song I’ve been working on, Lorraine. Thanks for encouraging me!
https://tonypolecastro.com/family-forums/topic/horse-with-no-name-or-a-simile-thereof/

tonypolecastro.com

“Horse With No Name” or a “simile” thereof - Play for Us! - Tony's Acoustic Challenge

“Horse With No Name” or a “simile” thereof - Play for Us! - Tony's Acoustic Challenge

[petelanger]

Thanks for posting that video. Just watched it and I think it helped me a lot, especially the pressing too hard with your fretting hand thing!

[petelanger]

Hmmn: interesting and I kind of anticipated this would be the answer since the same chord with different fingering is actually a different shape and your memory has to store both shapes. But, at the same time as we learn songs, we may use a new shape for a chord because of the ways we will be modifying the chord. Our daily challenge this week is an example: very odd way of forming the G chord – I can hardly do it at all (after just recently finding some success playing the “normal” G cleanly).

[petelanger]

Loraine, my brain understands it but still working on my heart that desires so much to learn faster. Thanks for your encouraging words!