TerriG
Forum Replies Created
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C chord always gives me grief (and the F chord too). I did learn after time that I was doing two things wrong. First, if you’re muting the strings it might mean you’re not pressing down hard enough to get a clear note. I’m guilty of this. Second, I’ve learn to use my thumb on the back of the neck for better finger leverage. I took notice that my fingers were slightly touching the next string; thus, muting them. The thumb leverage helped making the fingers more perpendicular to the strings. I don’t know if this will help you; but, you can definitely learn from my mistakes. Good luck!
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Welcome! You should do what makes you most comfortable in the beginning. So many concepts/techniques are thrown at us at once, so if finger picking works for you – go for it.
However once you have overcome some of the initial hurdles, try incorporating the pick into your routine if the daily challenge calls for it. The brain is amazing and just using the pick for a few minutes a day will start training the brain to create the necessary neural networks. Take is slowly and remember you don’t have to be accurate or precise. Just play around with pick to get the feel of it in your hand and the movement. This action alone will develop the necessary coordination required. Brain neural networks are not created overnight so take it slowly.
Also, FYI – recently I met a guitar player who was in a motorcycle accident years ago. He was messed up – lost sensation in his hands, tremors, fractures, etc. Total wreck. His physical therapist told him he should pick up the guitar to help him recover and he did. Fifteen years later, you should hear this guy play – what an inspiration. So don’t let the tremors be a hindrance, but a challenge to conquer. Good luck to you!
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Are you up to the point of learning the Nashville Number System? Once you access those lessons, the key information will make more sense in creating the song’s chords. Also, a handy tool to use is the Circle of Fifth’s…but everything ties back to knowing the song’s key. Eventually, this information is useful in creating your own solo’s, song writing, using the CAGED system, etc. Hopefully, this information helps you. Fretboard Wizard is amazing once you understand the knowledge that is in it. Good luck!
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What I did was ordered “How to Read Music” Fundamentals of Music Notations Made Easy by Roger Evans from Thrift books. Nice reference book to use to read the TAB and making the connections. For example on page 94, it gives the guitar notes and how to reference them on the TAB and the String. Handy tool just for that page alone (but I believe you can find this on the web as well). It’s a small beginner book but works for me. Hopefully this helps.
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I concur with what everyone said before me. This is a journey and one step a day should be your motto going forward. When I first started, I was clueless on everything and now I can incorporate majority of the skills Tony brings in his lessons. This week’s lesson of Alternate D tuning is amazing, but I can see it being daunting to a beginner. (FYI: Use the Fender Tune app to help you to convert from Standard Turning to D Major tuning).
To aid you, there is a Skill section on the website so you can brush up on the skills if you’re unsure on how to do them correctly. Also, it will take time for your brain (and fingers) to develop the proper muscle memory. Just baby steps going forward. Even if this week you were able to convert your guitar to D Major tuning – give yourself a pat on the back. Major win!
Also, instead of feeling frustrated with the lessons, just listen to what Tony said and try it. But the secret to getting better is just play around with the guitar. Try different things, see what type of sounds you can make, what notes/frets go with each other, the direction of the sounds from high to low. Try the slides, try the bends (they are pretty cool), but mainly have a blast playing – creating your own music.
Bottom Line, it will come. I’m about 5-6 months into the program and I am amazed on the advancement so far. Don’t give up – you are on the path of the most amazing achievement once you past the first obstacle hurdles. Good luck!
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Now you’re an inspiration to all of us …. kudos on such an accomplishment and here’s to 9 more years to come!
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Kudos on posting your first video. Fantastic job with the chords, transitions and rhythm. First time recording is the hardest and definitely a learning curve in setting up microphone, camera & angles, etc. Big accomplishment!
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Hi Michael,
Welcome to TAC. If I remember correctly, the Boogie challenge is to get used in using the Pick in an up & down motion along with accuracy. This is an introduction so do what is comfortable for you. As time goes on, revisit the lesson later to refine your skills and incorporate what Tony taught if you want. As for the 4th fret, you’re not the only one, so if you have to move your hand that is fine. I can’t reach either. Under the skill section, there are hand exercises to aid you to improve your reach. As you keep doing the challenges, you’ll find in time your reach gets better. Hopefully this helps you and again welcome!
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Definitely do what Moose recommends, 10 minutes trying what Tony taught for the day. For me, I also like to play around with the guitar – listen to the strings, compare the various frets and their pitches, discovering the notes and their octaves, and just old fashioned playing without worrying about making mistakes. In addition, I like to do finger exercises (such as spider walk) to build the muscles and accuracy. This helps me to stay consistent. Good luck in finding your own routine that fits your daily life.
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Hi Saddle.nut,
Welcome to the family. Starting Monday, you should dive into the daily challenge – I believe it is a Vibrato challenge next week according to the calendar. In the meantime, try to do “Ain’t No Sunshine” benchmark for this month. Since you’ve already play guitar, this benchmark will give you an idea of your skill sets. Remember to record yourself so you have a comparison when the song repeats itself four months from now. Even if the benchmark was marked complete, don’t worry about it. The lessons are still there and you can access them. Remember to “favor” them so you have access to them in your account. Good luck to you and you’ll find there are many people hanging out at the daily challenges to aid you in that forum.
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Guitar necks are manufactured with different width sizes. When I first started, I was using my husband’s guitar and it had a 2-inch neck. It wasn’t happening for me, so I purchased a youth guitar with a smaller neck width. It does make a difference. Since you’re a beginner, try to do simpler G chord and then build up to the one that Tony uses. The best thing is finger exercises and practice. You’ll find that the G chord will be easy as time goes on. The chords that will take months in getting will be the C & F chords (especially Barre). Short fingers and Barre chords are a nightmare so fair warning and don’t get frustrated – it seems to be a rite of passage with those chords. Luckily, there are work around until the fingers retain the muscle memory. Good luck!
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I have to agree with Albert. If it sounds good to your ear, why not! Since those notes are in the key of C – anything goes. Play around to see what you like. I’m finding going from Dm to Em & G to Am, I need to give extra thought and not an easy transition. I might try what you suggested until I can get the other sequence under my fingers later. Fun part about guitar is to customized it to your liking. In the end, that is all that matters. So play on….
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Definitely a small win…it was a tough challenge to do!
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That is a huge win in recovering and jumping back into the sessions. Good luck to you and healthy guitar adventures awaits you for the future.
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Also, I don’t know if you know … but you can slow down the videos to your needs. There are speed settings within the playback videos – definitely a tool to utilize. I wish I knew about this sooner along with popping the video and overlaying it onto the TAB. Sounds to me you have a fantastic routine, now it will take time and patience. I guess you’re eating the “elephant” – one bite at a time. Also, remember to record yourself especially those benchmark weeks (even if it is just audio) and you’ll be amazed on fast you’re learning. Subtle progress but it is there. Keep up the good work!