Loraine
Forum Replies Created
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Hey @langerking That is perfectly normal, especially when you’re newer to either guitar, or the concept or both. Iif I remember correctly, To y teaches the 3 chord power chord, and it will take time to learn the finger placements, transitions between the, and to increase speed. Slowing it way down is the best way to go about working on them. Use a metronome at a very slow pace. 4:4 timing. Strum the,chord on beat one. Take beats 2, e, 4 to transition to the next power chord. Then do it again. Keep repeating. When you can do it 10 times in a row without a mistake, move the metronome up 5 and start all over. You will become more proficient, increase speed and accuracy. Practice on an electric guitar of you have one. That’s what is typically used for playing power chords.
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It’s been quite a while since I went through the course. I really should go through it again.
I don’t recall the ebook you’re referring to. Within FBW is the FB Guide.
https://tonypolecastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TAC-Fretboard-Wizard-INTERACTIVE-Guide.pdf
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@Rob503 I feel for ya! I’m A rhythm player, because I can’t fingerpick because of tremors in hands. Even with tremors, strumming is hard, transitioning between. Chords is difficult, and speed is another issue. They are 3 separate issues to be dealt with individually and eventually pit together.
For chord transitions, there are a lot of things you can do to get better. Most aren’t a ton of fun to do, but they’re necessary in order to build muscle memory.
I agree with the others, slow it way down and use a metronome. 4:4 Strum a chord on beat one. Use beats 2,3,4 to change to the next chord; Again strum on the one neat, and keep repeating. When you’re able to transition at a low speed (and many times it is a very low speed), increase it in increments of 5 beats and begin again. And it goes on. You will learn to transition faster and smoother with this exercise..
For finger placement on chords, practice hovering fingers over the correct strings and bringing them down on the correct strings at the same time. You’ll again start with a very slow beat on the metronome 4:4 and increase as you become proficient at that speed. If you currently place one finger at a time, you’re creating muscle memory to place one finger at a time. To break the muscle memory, use the opposite pattern of placement , and then switch up to placing the 2nd finger first and then alternate between 2 other notes in chord. Then practice placing 2 fingers at the same time, and then 2 different fingers. Do all combinations, and then practice hovering over the strings without touching them, and then placing them at same time on their respective strings. notes, then switch of the 2 fingers and use a different combination
Strumming is difficult, which surprises a lot of people. It simply takes a helluvalot of time and practice. Have you taken the Jumpstart to strumming yet? This is another to practice with a metronome. There are a lot of strum patterns out there. Stick to 1-2 for now until you get better. I still struggle sometimes with strumming, because I’m tight and stiff from fibromyalgia, and I have the tremors, and my hand jumps, and I can’t hit the strings. I simply keep at it.
Sorry for length. Got a little carried away. :). Feel free to ask questions.
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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.
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@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.
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@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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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So amazing!
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Thanks Stew. It’s a fun one to play and sing, but then again most songs are 🙂
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Thanks John! I think it’s called a Road Series 000 Special (no electronics – it’s loud enough Lol)
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Really appreciate your thoughts ! Hope you’re doing well and having some great musical adventures!
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Thanks Ian! Hope all is well 🙂
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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.