TerriG
Forum Replies Created
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I am having the same issues today.
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Hi and I understand completely where you are coming from. Each week is a new introduction to a new technique, skill, chord, rhythm and/or scale and they can be daunting to a beginner. Totally get it….I’ve been there.
My recommendation is to absorb what Tony is saying and try it for 10 minutes. If it works, great. If not, no sweat and add it a win that you tried. Then go practice the basics for 30 minutes. This is where you will need the most work right now. If you are new, the fingers are not strong, so finger exercises (i.e. spiders, scales) are needed just for strength and flexibility. Then incorporate a metronome for keeping rhythm and play around with the various strumming patterns…first slow and speed up. After you the hang of it, add chords. Make it fun and you’ll progress pretty fast. In the meantime, heed Tony’s lessons – especially the skills and techniques.
You don’t appreciate the program the first year. I didn’t. This is my 3rd year and I am happy I stuck with it since I now understand how valuable the lessons were in learning. However, I will say if you just want to learn to play only songs, this might not be the place for you. Tony’s program goes much deeper. Anyway, good luck on your guitar journey and definitely practice the basics no matter what you decided especially if you are new to guitar. All the best….
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Thank you Tony for the site updates….also, I know this is minor compare to everything the site is going through, but is there a glitch going on with the “Current Day Streak”? It seems on my account everytime I reach “9” on the Day Streak, the next day it resets back to “1”? Not sure why this is happening. Anyway, thank you for keeping us updated on the progress of the site. This is my third year with TAC and loving it.
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This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by TerriG.
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This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by
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Wow! I remember when this happened to you. So sorry this experience has been a nightmare. The road to recovery is never linear, but full of twists, turns and set backs. Sending positive vibes your way so you will be back on the musical path for next year. Keep healing!
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Nah, not deformed at all. I have the same problem. Finger exercises definitely helps and over time, you’ll be able to do it. For the longest time, I couldn’t play the power chords and then one day – it just clicks. So keep at it and definitely follow the recommendations that Loraine gave. Also, make sure the guitar neck is the right size for your fingers. I had to change guitars in the beginning because the neck was too large and my fingers couldn’t reach. Good luck and keep at it!
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This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by TerriG.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by
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Your song is excellent and I absolutely loved it! You definitely have the makings of being a professional song writer. Kudos on your creativity and guitar playing!
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Hi Ron,
The weekend is your free time to review the previous weeks lessons, jump into the skill section of the course or learn a song you like on Youtube. I agree with Lorraine in her recommendation of practicing the strumming, flatpicking or fingerpicking sections. Those skills will help you immensely as you move forward. The other thing you can do is practice the chord transitions (G-C, G-D, C-F, etc.) and try to time yourself in the various beats if you can.
For me, I try to go back to previous lessons I like and practice them. As time goes on, you’ll have 52 weeks of songs and skills to chose from. Remember to “heart” the lesson so you can reference it again afterwards. Also, if you like the course and want to know more, the Fretboard Wizard is great just to get a handle on theory and perfect for weekends. I believe in the skill section there is a beginner course of Fretboard so you can see if you like it or not. Good luck to you and congratulations on finishing your first benchmark week!
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Enjoy the journey and as everyone mentioned – one lesson at a time, you’ll be surprised on how many small wins you’ll have after one year. Have fun!
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I believe this is what you’re looking for — the rhythm portion.
https://tonypolecastro.com/exercise/avalanche/
tonypolecastro.com
Try this FREE guitar challenge featuring Avalanche! Watch this free class to discover the fun guitar learning method used by over 35,000 students to learn guitar through nostalgic songs from the 60s and 70s.
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Here is the Lick to Landslide…I’ll see if I have the Rhythm Guitar link as well. If I do, I’ll post below.
https://tonypolecastro.com/exercise/snow-covered-hills/
tonypolecastro.com
Try this FREE guitar challenge featuring Snow Covered Hills! Watch this free class to discover the fun guitar learning method used by over 35,000 students to learn guitar through nostalgic songs from the 60s and 70s.
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Hopefully this will link up for you….
https://tonypolecastro.com/exercise/speedy-vehicle/
tonypolecastro.com
Try this FREE guitar challenge featuring Speedy Vehicle! Watch this free class to discover the fun guitar learning method used by over 35,000 students to learn guitar through nostalgic songs from the 60s and 70s.
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Time to jump into the daily challenges. Since this is a benchmark week, it is a great starting point with “Ain’t No Sunshine” song to monitor your progress as you move forward. Enjoy the journey!
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Welcome to TAC. The 30 day challenge a starting point to jump into the daily challenges that will come later. Do what you can and mark them complete as you move through the lessons.
When you begin the Daily Challenges, you’ll find the week will be broken down as follows: Techniques, Licks, Scales/Improv, Rhythm, and Chord Transition. The skills you’re learning in the 30 day section will repeat themselves in the future lessons. Also, heads up – you won’t be mastering these lessons in the beginning. Just do the best you can and in time you’ll see improvement. There are benchmark songs scattered throughout the year to measure your progress. So right now, practice but not to the point of frustration and enjoy the journey.
I know others will weigh in and again welcome to great community!
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Chords are such a pain; but, the good news is you’ll do just fine with them as time goes on. One week is not enough time especially if you are a beginner. Fingers need strength, flexibility and dexterity to create a chord and your fingers are not there yet …. and that is okay. Set yourself up for success.
First, make sure the guitar you’re using are for your fingers. For example, I have short stubby fingers so I need a smaller guitar for my fingers to reach. Bring your guitar to a local guitar shop and ask them if the guitar you are using is the best one for your fingers – it might be, it might not. In addition, strings matter. Certain strings on the guitar are harder to press down so you might have to change strings especially if the guitar is older or you don’t know what type of strings you have.
Second, finger exercises are needed just to help with the flexibility and independence of each finger. If not, you’ll only get frustrated in trying to form the chord. Finger and hand positioning are essential and this takes practice (and exercises).
Finally, start small. If you can’t do a 3-note chord, try the root note and then the next note in the chord (a two-note chord instead of three). Then work on adding the final note as you become more proficient. This will aid with the frustration level. Also, start with the easiest chords first – A minor, E minor, G & D and build from there. C is such a pain and F chord well there’s a reason why it is the “F”. They take months and one week is not enough.
A year ago I saw a guitarist with the fastest fingers imaginable playing with ease with short fat fingers. My hubby and I was talking with him after his set and it turned out he was in a car accident and he self taught himself guitar when he suffered hand injury from the accident. He said it wasn’t easy, but he did it (and amazing to watch him too). Anyway, try to stick it out – yes, frustrating in the beginning but you’ll have the biggest smile on your face when you finally get a good sounding chord especially the C and F. All the best…
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It depends on the challenge and your taste. There are certain songs that Tony introduces where you might want to explore then do the entire week (or at least “favorite” the lessons you missed so you can access them later). If the prior week lesson doesn’t thrill you, then start the new challenge that is introduced on the Monday. You don’t have to do them all if you have a time constraint. I like doing the Techniques, Licks, & Rhythm Guitar. FYI, these lessons will repeat – some within four months or some after a year, so you’ll see them again.