[Loraine]

@AlbertCW This is a great story of overcoming a disability and succeeding. Tony often uses different fingers than others when fretting chords. If it works for you, then it’s a great thing.

[Loraine]

hahaha @Skyman911 . It is a lot of work to learn to strum, and I put in the hours and hours to prove it. There are still days I just can’t seem to do it smoothly. Play on the very tip of the pick (took me a long time to learn this), lighten your strum (make it almost featherlike), and practice turning the pick in the direction of your strum to reduce the resistence of the pick on the strings. This can be done with a very loose wrist too, but my wrist is perpetually stiff from fybromyalgia and arthritis. I’m working on loosening it and stretching before playing, but I have to consciously think about it. I have no doubt you’ll get it Skyman.

Btw, what does your moniker mean? Very interesting.

[Loraine]

The was great @charlie_d ~!!! You never disappoint, and it sounded really cool. I liked how you made it your own. Great job incorporating the triplets and the lick. Keep ’em coming!

[Loraine]

Way to go @BethL . Don’t worry about that one day. I’m sure there was a reason and it was necessary at the time. It happens. Look at your streak though … 2 straight months! That’s awesome, because you were having difficulty with that in the past. Just remember, a day at a time. Keep on plunking!!

[Loraine]

You amaze me with being able to take an exercise and turn it into something that sounds good. You do have a gift @BethL

[Loraine]

You are so fun to listen and watch @BethL . Great job on the song. I’m from Chicago, and this song was such a staple when it came out. Love how you used the looper. Keep having fun and smiling, because it lights up a room, and you make me smile.

[Loraine]

Welcome back @Skyman ! Great time to rejoin, as pointed out by @albert_d . There are a lot of new lessons, and the format has changed since you were here. The days of the week and their focus whether on Technique, Licks, Scales & Improv, Rhythm, or Chord Progressions, the way they’re presented has been updated with new videos and more modern music, rather than mostly bluegrass. It’s a lot of fun.

I also agree that Fretboard Wizard is worth taking. Once you buy it, you own it for life, and you’ll return to it to refresh your knowledge and skills.

I totally understand about being overwhelmed and feeling like you were drowning initially, and I think supplementing your in person teacher with TAC is a great move. I had absolutely no experience with guitar when I found. TAC. TAC taught me what I needed to get started. I decided to get a private teacher about a year in. It was the smartest thing I could have done. He has not been threatened whatsoever with my using both him and TAC. He actually encourages it, and asks questions about what I’m working on. He’s actually taught me to put everything together and play songs. I agree, having a daily lesson really adds to the 1/2 hour lessons (which go by so quickly).

Don’t be a stranger in the forums, and keep on plunking!l

[Loraine]

I lived all over – mainly the western suburbs, but t he last 20 years there were in the southwest Cook County burbs. Lived in Cicero, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Burr Ridge, Alsip, Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, Justice and lastly Palos Hills. I’m sure there were a few other short stints in other towns, but I can’t remember them. I probably lived in Justice the longest while my daughter went to grade school and most of middle school. I went to high school at Hinsdale South. Moved to Illinois when I was about 14-15 and moved to Pennsylvania in 2004 when my daughter went to college in Spain. Some of my most formative and best and worst years were in Illinois. I miss the people a great deal. Most of my friends still live there, so we communicate via FB. My best friend is still there, and we do video chats weekly. I don’t miss the winters, the politics, and a few other people and things. I needed a fresh start, and PA won out. I’ve been here over 19 years now. 🙂

[Loraine]

Thank you @HowardM . You’re always so supportive of my efforts. really appreciate it.

[Loraine]

Mark, you make me blush. Thank you so much.

[Loraine]

Thanks for your support @N-lightMike . If it weren’t for TAC, i wouldn’t have made it through all of life’s challenges the past 3 years, not the other way around. I didn’t quit because I saw this for what it was – a stress reliever and something for me, and not for my mom or other people who. it was literally a lifesaver for me. I needed something for me alone, and this was it. I’m very grateful for that.

[Loraine]

My young cousin always calls me “Cousin Cool Kid,” and I got such a good feeling reading your response. Thank you.

[Loraine]

Kyle, I decided early on that I was going to post the good and the bad. I figured it would help me grow, and it really has. I’m still not a great player, but I think I’m further along than I would have been with not taking risks and posting videos. The guitar has not come easily to me. I’m pretty much resigned to never being great at it, but my goal is more to just have fun and be able to play a few songs for family and friends. Also, this is such a supportive site that I don’t feel threatened by doing so. AND, I probably won’t be meeting most people, so how can I be threatened by what anyone thinks of me if I don’t know them. The only person’s opinion that I seek out is my guitar teacher, and even then I don’t see eye to eye with him on all things. Initially , he couldn’t believe I posted videos or performed at virtual open mics without perfecting a song first. I continually reminded him that it didn’t matter, as long as I was having fun and that I was getting better simply by posting videos and playing in open mics. He’s now a believer in what I do, and he tells me continuously to keep up with what I’m doing, because things seem to have clicked, and I’ve been making great progress. So, long explanation to get to my words of encouragement. Continue to have fun and move forward. Sorry for long post. Just keep on plunking! And, have fun.

[Loraine]

Appreciate that @albert_d ! Lots of hard work on those transitions, but it’s finally beginning to pay off.

[Loraine]

@Skyman911 Gorilla Snot- It’s the best thing ever invented. Your pick will not leave your hand. It’s like a tree sap that you rub your thumb and index in, and then place your pick as normal in your hand and loosened your grip. No need for a death grip, and the pick sounds better when strumming. You can purchase at Amazon or any music store. I’ve tried a lot of different things, and this works the best.

The other thing I often do is had Sticky Dots to my picks (one on both side). They’re $5 at Guitar Moose. You can try other brands that are cheaper, but these work the best in my opinion.