[Skyman911]

A friend of mine built a OM guitar from a Stew Mac kit. It looks and plays very nice. This could be a good way to enter the field of guitar building. The kits are pretty complete.

[Skyman911]

I think you can probably do whatever sounds good to you. However, when I do the Boom Chicka in songs, once I hit the base note, I don’t hit the base note again when strumming. Hope this helps and makes sense.

[Skyman911]

Most people as they become more skilled, tend to move on to thicker picks due to accuracy and control. I’m playing with a Blue Chip TAD 40, which is about 1mm. I’m sure you already know there are many different materials, shapes, thicknesses, etc. I’ve tried literally every type of pick, and have gravitated to the Blue Chip pick. Great tone, control, and it doesn’t spin in my fingers like other picks do, even the textured picks. The Blue Chip is smooth, however doesn’t spin and rotate like other smooth picks do. Experiment with different picks, and when playing, try to have the least amount of the tip of the pick exposed for greater control. I try to only have 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch of the tip exposed from my thumb. This alone has really helped with using a pick.

[Skyman911]

@JILLC, I’ve been playing about 5 years now. I understand where you are, and I didn’t start until I was 59. It can get better, and you will eventually be able to make the mini F and full F. But, only if you are diligent in your practice. The biggest thing that has helped me, and it is reiterated in this course, is to try and play everyday. Even if you’re frustrated, give it at least 10 minutes. Even if you’re not doing, or don’t want to do a particular TAC lesson, pick up your guitar and just play whatever you can. Even if you only know a couple of chords, play and get to know those chords better, and introduce new ones when you feel up to it. Just try to play everyday if possible. This is the key to getting better and having fun. I know some other members will chime in with their advice as well. There are some very helpful folks here.

[Skyman911]

I’m not a huge fan of picks. However I’ve been pretty diligent using one for the past year or so. I just don’t want to limit myself, and do feel a pick is very useful. I still finger strum a lot. I am getting better with the pick. One thing I’ve done to improve my pick use is, try to have as little of the pick material exposed as possible. I try to have only 1/8 to 1/4 of the tip exposed. It may be difficult in the beginning, and you will hit your knuckles on the strings sometimes, but that’s OK. It will improve. The type and thickness of the pick is also important.

[Skyman911]

Just my unprofessional opinion here as I’ve been down this road. On an inexpensive guitar, changing from a plastic to a bone nut may make very little difference. You may put in a lot of time and expense and not get the results you were expecting. Working on guitars can be very challenging, so be sure you’re up for the task. Just listening to the comments that jorgemac says, tells me he’s very experienced and confident in his knowledge and skills. I personally love doing basic work on my instruments, and do think it is a valuable skill to learn. Good luck with your repairs.

[Skyman911]

I think it will automatically renew unless you cancel it.

[Skyman911]

@Corina, I say do what you’re comfortable with. You won’t actually “miss” anything in TAC, as every lesson comes around again. You can even save lessons as favorites and go back to them again and again. I personally changed my focus a couple of years ago from mainly practicing, to mainly playing. Not that I don’t practice, but practice takes about 10% or less of my actual playing time. I play and work on songs. Lots of them. Am I mastering any of them? Not at all. But the point is, I’m playing songs, and the more I play, the easier it is to pick up other songs I want to play. I’ve probably forgotten more songs than I actually know. I’ll spend 15 – 20 minutes on a TAC challenge, and then spend the next hour and a half just playing songs. I’m lucky I get to play a couple of hours a day if I want.

[Skyman911]

I would also pay attention to the different neck sizes and shapes. Since you spend so much time on the fretboard, I personally feel the neck size and shape are paramount. They are all different. V shapes, C shapes, oval shapes, thin necks, thick necks, medium necks, scale lenght. It all makes a difference. The advice given about going back many times is spot on. The “one” will eventually speak to you.

[Skyman911]

I’m not sure what else you could do. Paint them with hard acrylic clear polish? I personally wouldn’t grow my nails out to pick, but that’s just me. I’ve tried thumb picks, and don’t prefer them. I just use the flesh of my tips.

[Skyman911]

Your contributions will be missed. We’ll see how this year goes. If we don’t get some fresh content, I’m probably going to do the same. Love the method, the teaching style and the people. I’m getting bored doing the same challenges over and over again. One can only do Wagon Wheel so many times.

[Skyman911]

I would suggest playing as much as you can. I take a little Martin Backpacker guitar on my trips. Fits nicely in the overhead bins. Doesn’t sound the best, but at least I have something to fret and play.

[Skyman911]

That’s awesome. I saw her at the Targhee Bluegrass Festival. She stole the show.

[Skyman911]

No, I’ve just been paying year to year.

[Skyman911]

I was just mentioning what I do when I travel. I wasn’t suggesting they go out and buy a Martin Backpacker.