[Skyman911]

@BarbaraM, yes, I can relate. Like you, some days I play well, and other days my timing is off, I miss notes/chords, mute strings, and I’m like what’s going on, I was playing so well yesterday. I usually just dumb it down on those days and just play some simple strummers. But, it is frustrating, especially when you’ve invested so much time and energy wanting to get better. You’re not alone here, and this actually shows how much you care about improving. And since you mostly play alone, you’re playing for yourself, and not for other peoples acceptance.

For me, this journey seems to have been a series of plateau’s. Some more difficult to get over than others. I personally feel I’m in another plateau right now, but I know from past experiences I’ll eventually get past it if I just keep playing. You will too, and there’s nothing wrong with your mindset. This is perfectly natural.

Posting here was good thing. It helps get some of this off your chest. I’m looking forward seeing what others post.

[Skyman911]

@Bayvu2, Zager makes fine guitars. Is there anywhere you could try to play one before purchasing? I’ve purchased a couple of guitars before playing them. I sold them both because I didn’t like how they either fit my hands, or how the necks felt. Not sure I’ll buy another guitar without playing it first. Or at least the same model. Some folks go strictly for the sound. I personally think playability is more important.

[Skyman911]

@Emjay609, I hope I’m answering correctly. After measure 14, you go back and repeat the second verse, measures 1-14 again (but after the solo riff) before going into the bridge. Then repeat the measures 1-14 (again, after the riff) for the final verse. I hope I’m making sense?

[Skyman911]

@Braden, I think you make a couple of very good points with your post.

Learn songs as soon as you can. Even if they’re very simplistic. You can always make it less simple as you learn. I still think this is the best way of incorporating techniques you are learning. Better than drills IMO.

Make the song your own. This is the best way to bring out your own personal connection with your guitar. Connect with it, and make it your own song. I feel when I try to play just like an original, I lose some emotion. Probably because I’m focused more on playing like the original, probably with more tension and not just letting loose. This also means singing it like your song.

[Skyman911]

My challenge at first when learning the C chord was, I couldn’t get the curl in my fingers like I wanted because I was taught to mute the low E string with my thumb so it wouldn’t ring out if accidentally struck. Other chords I can have my thumb on the back of the neck instead of curled over the top of the neck trying to mute. You can get a much better angle with your wrist and fingers with the thumb placed on the back of the neck. I typically mute the A, C, D chords with my thumb. D is by far the hardest when trying to mute both the E and A strings with your thumb. Out of all the major chords, I bet I miss the C chord the most. Keep working at it, as it is a very important chord that has many cool variations.

[Skyman911]

My only suggestion is to go very slow, and gradually increase your speed. People hold their picks in many different ways, so I don’t think if you can strum, you pick position may be OK.

[Skyman911]

OMG, this is a very timely post, and I do this constantly. For me, I don’t know if it’s ADD, or just my lack of patience. Seems like I’m bouncing around from song to song, and never quite finish them. As a matter of fact, I probably only have a dozen or so songs I know all the way through. Some days I sit down and don’t even know what to play. But once I start playing something, I start to get into a groove. I try not to stress about it too much, and keep telling myself I’m doing this for me, and as long as I still keep having fun, I’m OK with it. I still need to find a way to change this pattern though.

[Skyman911]

@BarbaraM, hey Barbara, can you actually see the neck bowing? My first real guitar was a Big Baby Taylor, and I still have it and do play it still. The necks are a bit different on these in regards to how they attach to the body. They don’t use a dovetail joint like most guitars use. A lot of the action adjustments are actually different shim thicknesses between the neck and the body. Although it does have a truss rod, you won’t get the same adjustments as other guitars. Do you have a good sideways picture of the neck at the 12th fret? Maybe you could post this and see what we’re looking at.

[Skyman911]

@BarbaraM, I do see the photos, and didn’t realize that was the Baby Taylor action you were showing. It does look high. Correcting this is usually done through shimming. If you look down the neck, can you see obvious bowing? I can’t really tell by the photos.

[Skyman911]

Lack of new content is my biggest gripe here. There hasn’t been any new content added for a couple of years. It seems like this program is on autopilot. Tony used to be somewhat involved, and I don’t see that anymore. Especially since the Acoustic Tuesday ended. This is the only thing making me think about not renewing. So much good content here, but I can only do Wagon Wheel so many times. I also feel a bit ripped off when the daily challenges for the week are just the 5 day challenges from the beginner course. Seems like those are just fillers when there isn’t anything new. Still the best online course though.

[Skyman911]

Lol, I get the guitarsenal comment. I was up to 11 at one time, I’ve thinned the heard down to 5 now. Gotta love the HD-28, different bracing and better sound than the standard D-28. I picked up a Billy Strings D-28 almost a year ago. Same bracing as the HD-28, but with a short scale. Very playable for being a large guitar. Let us know if you pick one up, and what your thoughts are.

[Skyman911]

I’ve been playing this in open E like it was recorded. Just wondering why it was taught in open D. I think @gmhendersonme-com confirmed it was so folks don’t break strings. Not sure how tuning up one note would do this though.

[Skyman911]

She’s been competing in Canada for years, and now taking the kids she coaches there. She loves Canada. I’ve never skied there personally. Would love to someday.

[Skyman911]

That does look a little bowed. It could be a simple truss rod adjustment. You would need to take the little triangle plastic piece off the neck to access the truss rod. Three very small screws hold this plate on. Make sure your strings are tuned, and there is string pressure on the neck before trying to adjust. Make very small 1/4 turns. Remember the direction and number of turns in case you need to go back the other way. I would try lefty loosey first as it looks like there is too much bow. This looks very intimidating, however if you take your time, it is actually quite simple. You have a lot of support here.

[Skyman911]

@petelanger, this is only for the Baby Taylor and Big Baby Taylor. Most other models have a Taylor neck joint that is actually bolted on. Not a dovetail design like Martins and other guitars. The Baby and Big Baby literally have two wood screws that hold the neck to the body. Kind of bizarre but it seems to work.