[Loraine]

Nicely done

[Loraine]

Great job @JanC . Keep up the great work!

[Loraine]

Very nicely done and enjoyable

[Loraine]

Not too heavy at all – Very nicely done @charlie_d

[Loraine]

First, welcome to TAC @thanson . Hope you enjoy the site and have lots of fun while learning!

No one can necessarily tell you to do what comes easiest, but I offer the following. The lessons are teaching foundational skills, and my thoughts are that I would want to learn the correct foundation to build upon. Similar to building a house. You want a strong foundation before you build the structure. The structure would be made of the highest quality material, so that it doesn’t crumble. Moral of this story is that I suggest building a strong foundation based on how the material is taight, and then build your skills upon that.

[Loraine]

Love the low tones and spaces afforded.

[Loraine]

Love the transition between fingerpicking and strumming. Great embellishments!

[Loraine]

@Alfred Thank you for sharing this with us. I think having such a strong family connection and having the guitar in common is such a great thing. I’m glad your mom is on the mend. This must be such a stressful time for the entire family, but I think it is wonderful that you’re able to be there for your mom and dad during these difficult times. It was such a pleasure meeting your dad, Bob, and hearing him play for us during the VOM.

Hang in there, and you and your family will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Loraine]

@513604 Not necessarily (short answer). You could start with some stretching exercises to loosen up to improve stretches, and you’ll find that the more you play the better your finger span becomes. Stretching lessons – https://tonypolecastro.com/courses/guitar-players-daily-stretch-guide/

[Loraine]

Thanks @Marty69 . Unfortunately I remember the first time I played too. Makes me realize I have made progress 🙂

[Loraine]

Really appreciate it @albert_d

[Loraine]

Haha, don’t be jelly @Bill_Brown . It was out of necessity that I learned that way. Found out that if I look at my hands, my brain gets jumbled and I totally screw up. Anyway, thank you kindly for the compliment. I truly appreciate it.

[Loraine]

Thanks @dr_dave . I’ll revisit the tab and try to pay better care at the pick direction. Great info. I truly appreciate your critiques of my playing, and thank you for the compliment. The finger has torn open a few times. Just in a bad spot (and sore when it hits a certain way). I never realized how much I use the index finger until I cut it.

[Loraine]

Thanks for your suggestion @dr_dave , and no offense taken to your critique. I was doing alternate picking, but it probably wasn’t apparent with my heavy picking and timing being off. I’m really trying to go more smoothly and with less pressure, but I’m just a very slow and heavy handed player. I can play it much faster and it sounds smooth, but then I make even more mistakes. As for not looking at my hands, I am unable to do that, because then I screw up even more.

[Loraine]

Thanks @Jill_M