[Loraine]

I hear ya. I still have trouble stretching the fingers. You mentioned your fingers basically having a mind of their own. I remember that frustration with the fingers refusing to work independently there’s two sets of fingers I think that are attached by tendon so that’s why it seems like they always move when the others do I think it’s the ring in the pinky and the index in the middle but I’m not sure

@Skyman911 brings up some good points. You don’t want an injury from trying to stretch too far take it for me it’s not worth it hi was playing a song a couple years ago and a required a lot of stretching for one cord and I kept practicing and stretching and I ended up getting tendinitis and tennis elbow and so my hand and arm were and so much pain from the tendons there’s nothing you can do by massage or you know anything it takes rest. Time away from the guitar. Possibly physical therapy. I received injections in my elbow, and I want to acupuncturist for several months. Don’t play through pain or injury.

Using a capo so that you practice on a higher fright is a great suggestion put the cap on three or five and the frets are a lot closer so it’s not as much stretch on your fingers.

There is a finger exercise that I did at the suggestion of my guitar teacher at the time. Start with your index finger on the eighth fret. It will be stationary ther fore th3 entire exercise. With your middle finger, place it on the 9th fret, then lift it and place it on the 10th fret, then return it to the 8th. Lift it and place it on the 11th fret (don’t overly force it. It is okay to use a little effort to stretch to it, but never force it. If you are able to stretch 3 frets out, then go back to the 8th and try going to the 12th.

You will then use your ring finger and repeat the exercise. Then the pinky. If you do it daily, I think you’ll see great improvement in thestretch, as well as improvement in the independence of your fingers. It’s retraining your brain, tendons, muscles, and tendons need to stretch, or they atrophy. It really does work, I suggested for anyone.

[Loraine]

Barbara, it’s good to hear from you. This was a very inspirational message, and I’m so glad you posted. Many players do struggle with disabilities that make playing the conventional way seem impossible. You have found some great work arounds.

What I hear loud and clear is the change in disposition. In the past I heard and felt your frustrations. This showed your having learned little work arounds, so that you could keep playingi

[Loraine]

Beautifully done LeCassandra.

Ouch to your finger. How did that happen?

[Loraine]

I would like to have a little bit louder (both guitar and vocals). I like it when others provide tips, tricks, lessons learned, etc. Thank you. Btw, nice guitar.

[Loraine]

That is really good Beth I remember years ago saying that you had problems with consistency. Keep posting because it makes you accountable. 🙂

[Loraine]

Hi Claudia,

Welcome to the TAC community! Thank you for posting and sharing your first video. That’s awesome that you did it so early. You’re a heck of a lot more talented than I am you have a beautiful voice you’re already making chords and transitioning fairly well even at weekends so you either had a lot more background than just a beginner or you’re just extremely talented.

I don’t see your fingers as being short whatsoever. Like @jumpinjeff said we all have short fingers when we first start playing the guitar. Lol. Your fingers will stretch and it will become easier make sure you’re pushing your wrist out as as far as you can so that your fingers curl automatically into a natural position and that seems to help you can always hold the neck up a little bit too.

[Loraine]

If anyone can make a CCR tune sound eerily seductive, it would be you guys. Way to go Jules & Fletch. Where’s the elusive Steve?

@JulieB @Fletch @stevep

[Loraine]

Hey Matty, it’s been a really long time since I took the thirty days to play.But I don’t remember a fourth day is being skipped.There should be five lessons per week, from what I remember, so the weekend will be open. I agree that it’s best to keep moving forward. Reach out to Victoria in Support. If there is truly a missing lesson, I would let support know, and have them either find out for you or submit a ticket to technical. See support button bottom left, click on it.And you’ll start a chat, and you’ll just type in your question. Victoria will get back to you very quickly.

[Loraine]

Hey Colzie. I hear your frustration, and I can totally relate.

There really isn’t a need to reset it, per se. You could just start from the beginning again.

I suggest that you keep moving forward with the skill courses or the daily challenges, because the goal is to keep the momentum moving forward. It’s not about perfection, whatsoever. You can, of course revisit it.But try not to get caught up on a lesson.Keep moving forward.Do the lesson every day; maybe ten fifteen minutes of video and then ten fifteen minutes of practice.I wouldn’t do more than that.You will come across all these skills again in the daily challenges. And there’s the opportunity to see how you’ve progressed from taking a lesson now and then having it repeat eight months down the road.You will remember doing the lesson by the way. so you’ll also see how well or how much you’ve improved.

You can always step back and go into the skills section, snd take a lesson in something that inferest you.. I suggest finger picking flat picking or strumming to begin with. You wanna find some enjoyment? So when you’re stressed, simply pull away from it and go do something else.

[Loraine]

Justin Johnson can make any guitar sound enchanting, and he is a fab player. Very down to earth.

Beautiful cover. Great example of all the skills taught by Tony being used.

[Loraine]

Have to agree with the others. The guitar is very patient. It will be there when you have time.

Maybe play around with it over the weekend, but try not to beat yourself up. All the lessons rotate around, so you haven’t missed it.

When youre unable to touch the guitar for a lesson, why not work some theory in. Take one small thing and think it through during those days you’re crazed.

[Loraine]

It would be nice to have updated photos of active members, but the ones used are still relevant. The photos are from the last TAC get together and Bozeman Montana. They haven’t done a live get together in probably four or five years, because of covid. I doubt that they’re going to have any more. It’s a lot of work to put them together and to get guests musicians, set up hotel and camping accommodations, meals shows etc. You probably have to get some type of liability insurance too, when that many people get together

I would have loved to have gone to one of their get-togethers, but they weren’t as big then.

Maybe we’ll get lucky and someday still have another one.

[Loraine]

I haven’t tracked a streak for a long time, but it became necessary to not relying on it, and simply accept it as being the case.

[Loraine]

Hey Kevin, thanks for the info. Yes, I’d be interested. Can you DM me with info?

[Loraine]

Always put baby in the corner (movie) lol.