[Loraine]

I go to Tommy’s shows at least once a year. I am absolutely in awe of his playing, his positivity, and his selflessness in promoting up and coming artists and oftentimes unknowns.

[Loraine]

@shawn-c-seeleyicloud-com Man, I have so much respect for you, not only for your service, but for your wear withal, creative fortitude to learn the guitar. It’s not an easy instrument, but it is possible, and you’re proving it. Keep at it. It will be challenging, but if you keep at it, you will improve and it will get easier.

There are many disabled players on TAC that have overcome their disabilities.

Also, check out these artists

Keith Xander – Missing arm. Plays with a prosthetic hook hand

Les Paul – shattered right arm. Had set at permanent set position to avoid amputation

Django Reinhardt – missing fingers

Tony Iommi – missing fingertips

Jerry Garcia – missing finger

I like what Xander said, “Playing with only one arm taught me a lot of patience, because in the beginning I couldn’t even hit the strings,” says Keith Xander, singer and guitarist of Xander and the Peace Pirates. “If I can do it, anyone can.”

“Everything comes down to inspiration,” says Xander. “The guitarists I listened to made me want to keep going and not give up. I learned not to be so hard on “

myself. All artists and musicians can be very impatient with themselves. It takes a lot of time to learn an instrument – maybe even more so in my case.”

“Naturally, the Xander and the Peace Pirates frontman has had to adjust certain elements of his technique accordingly and forge his own path as a player. He prefers to be more legato-led, partly because he likes the slippery sound it yields, but also because that’s simply what feels most comfortable with his setup.

“I keep my wrist quite still and move the forearm, because I’ve got no choice in the matter, really. I’ve got no wrist!” he continues. “I don’t really use much alternate picking. It’s a lot of downstrokes, and then I compensate with my fretting hand to get speed and fluidity through legato techniques. I worked on that stuff a lot through the years, using one hand to play leads and get melodies flowing.”

I follow Xander and the Peace Pirates. He’s so inspirational.

https://youtu.be/E0tZCbAPuHg?si=UP_urMrVFM5B9QuJ

[Loraine]

@drsecastlemangmail-com Welcome to the TAC community! If you have any questions, please let us know. I suggest staying with the Quick Start Guide at the bottom area of the menu. Have fun!

@Mrfredsporty Hey Fred, not sure how I missed your original thread. You say the truth quite proficiently! The TAC Forums are extremely supportive, and we all can lend a hand in welcoming, reading and commenting, answering or simply encouraging support and messaging. The people are responsive and supportive to others. The forums are what kept me a lifetime member of TAC.

[Loraine]

I echo the great insight offered by @Kim-Fitz . Guitar is not an easy instrument, but it is attainable. Dont give up until you give it a good go. You purchased an annual subscription, so why not see where you are at the end of it?

Also, it sounds like you are stumbling through the skills courses and the dailies Review the getting started section. After the 30 days to play, most take the Next 6 chords, the Stretching skills course, and the 5 day Guitar Routine (Intro to the dailies) and if you continue with skills courses, the next is typically strumming, which is challenging.

Give the dailies your best go as outlined by,Kim. But circle back and make sure you check out the others in the same skillset as the. 30 days to play. Then you can look through the 5 day challenges and other technique courses as you desire. This is your journey. We’ve all been where you are, so you’re not alone.

I don’t give up before the miracle(s) happen, and there will be many.

[Loraine]

Life does have that tendency to interfere with our guitar journey, like everything else, it is a balancing act. I had plenty of time during Covid. Then the world opened up again, and it was challenging. Now we have the warmer days, longer daylight hours, and we just want to enjoy it as much as possible.

Glad you’re able to jump back in.

[Loraine]

Great to get to know you a little. It’s funny that even as adults, we crave structure. It cocoons us and makes us feel secure knowing what’s expected of us and accountability.

If you haven’t already, go on the members and search Wisconsin. It will show you others in your general area. You might even search Illinois, if you’re near tat state line.

[Loraine]

So amazing!

[Loraine]

@tding Congrats on completing the 30 days to play. If you haven’t already, my suggestion is to take the Next 6 chords lesson, stretching lesson, Fingerstretch, and Better barre chords or 5 day barre chord challenge. All can be found in the skills section. You can take the skills courses and dailies at the same time. Also, you can start the dailies any day of the week. You don’t have to wait for a Monday. If you can only play 3 days a week, you’ll need to double up on a few. You can’t play ahead of a lesson, so depending on the days you can play, my suggestion would be to double up on 2 days, 2 days, and 1 day. Don’t spend an exorbitant amount of time on any one lesson. Do the minimum of 10 minutes and mark the lesson complete. You can keep practicing, but limit it to another 15 minutes max per lesson. The name of the game is progress rather than perfection. Keep progressing forward, and you will improve. Also, you don’t need to limit yourself to dailies. Look through the skills lessons, and if something catches your eye, then feel free to take it. This is your journey. There is no set path.

Good luck, and remember to have fun with it.

[Loraine]

@drdave Happy 7th TACiversary! It is so good to hear from you. It’s been a good while since I’ve seen you and Rose. Hope you’re both well. I’ve had to cut back on the concerts a bit this year, but I still occasionally get to Sellersville. I need to touch base with @Al.E . I’m not even sure he’s a TAC member still.

I loved your story about Fireside Collective and Martin. That would’ve been a really cool experience from beginning to end. I wonder if I could get a free guitar if I offer to play a lunch time gig — haha. They’d probably give me one to leave.

Hope to see you around in the next few months. Keep on plunking!

[Loraine]

Thanks Stew. It’s a fun one to play and sing, but then again most songs are 🙂

[Loraine]

Thanks John! I think it’s called a Road Series 000 Special (no electronics – it’s loud enough Lol)

[Loraine]

Really appreciate your thoughts ! Hope you’re doing well and having some great musical adventures!

[Loraine]

Thanks Ian! Hope all is well 🙂

[Loraine]

The harder the pick, the harder it is to strum lightly, especially as a beginner. I suggest a .5-.62 thickness until you get better. You will hit the strings hard with a thicker pick, until you get better. I’m nearing 4 years playing, and I still use picks below 1.00. On average I use about .62. Use the harder picks for flatpicking.

[Loraine]

Another suggestion. Purchase some Gorilla Snot. It will reassure you that the pick won’t turn or fall fro your grip. This gives you permission to strum lightly, barely touching the strings.