[Loraine]

So proud of you @Cadgirl for having completed FBW 2. Woohoo, congratulations! I seem to be so short of time and can’t seem to focus on going through it. I started it when it first came out but didn’t get very far. I really should make the time. I’ve been having too much fun learning new songs and doing the daily lessons and my guitar homework that I’m too tired to pursue FBW. Excuses, excuses. Maybe your completing it will motivate me.

[Loraine]

@ohwowmanG I can totally relate to your question, as I reached te same questioning of where to go next and how to move forward toward my goal of being a guitar player. I’m a slow learner, or better yet I am slow on being able to pull all the knowledge together and use what I’m learning on TAC in reaching my goals. I asked a lot of questions on the forums, and I began to research simple 2 and 3 chord songs via YouTube, Justin guitar, Andy’s guitar and several other sites. Find a song or two and focus on a lesson from one of these sites. If you’re a little more motivated to listen to a song to determine a strum pattern or to learn a fingerpicking version of a song or to strum and follow a chord sheet, then I highly recommend Ultimate Guitar.

TAC teaches foundational skills that you’ll encounter when playing the guitar, and it teaches you to build a strong practice routine. To put it all together, you need to learn songs, which unfortunately TAC no longer teaches. That is not their focus.

I do supplement TAC with guitar lessons, and I agree that the right teacher can make a world of difference. I’ve grown quite a bit through my daily lessons on TAC and my guitar lessons – as complimentary teachings.

[Loraine]

Welcome to the TAC community @AlteredGoods ! I too was brand new to guitar when I started with TAC 2 q/2 years ago. I began with the 30 days to play challenge. Once completed I moved onto doing the daily challenges and some of the skills courses. Have fun with it and seek answers in the forums.

[Loraine]

Great attitude @stevieblues . It is just another number and doesn’t mean that you goofed. Mine has been reset multiple times. I’m concerned more with the total sessions. It reminds me of my consistency and progress. Keep up the great work!

[Loraine]

A little late to the party, but my 2 cents.

It’s free, which is a highly motivating reason to get it.

I think electrics are fun and are better suited for certain types of music/genres. It depends on the song. Many times I’ll play the same song on both and play around with the amplification to see which sounds better.

Electrics have lower action and smaller necks than acoustics and can be easier to play/learn on. Especially with those dreaded barre chords.

All in all, they’re a great addition to any guitarsenal, and they can be a lot of fun. Hope you get it and enjoy it.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by  Loraine.

[Loraine]

Hey @Mimer , another option is to use a capo at the 5th fret and practice there, because you are essentially shortening the fretboard and the frets are a lot closer there. I fret at the 5th fret often when I have stretching difficulty. Also, it helps to do stretching exercises and gradually increase the span of stretch. For example, place all four fingers a line on the high e string starting at the 7th fret (index 7th, middle 8th, ring 9th, and pinky 10th. Play the index and then move just the index to the next fret (6th) and the back to the 7th, and then to the 5th and back to the 4th. When you can’t reach any further repeat the entire series. You can do the sa,e for the pinky. Another way is to use your index on the 7th, middle the 8th of the B, ring the 9th of the G and then stretch your index the same by leaving all your fingers in place while moving just the index to the next fret and then back and then to the next fret.

[Loraine]

@jenbicimsn-com Its all about what works best for you. The smaller bodied guitars will be less stressful on your neck, shoulders and back. I have guitars ranging from smaller (Gs mini to a 12 string dreadnaught. As the bodies get larger and the necks longer, I find I can only play for short periods because of Pain or discomfort. Even with the smaller bodied guitars, I have to make sure I’m in the right height chair, keep good posture, raise the neck of the guitar a little (some use the classical position as mentioned by @GerryB56 ). Standing corrects the posture issue – harder to slouch or bend over the guitar when standing. If you’re already using a smaller bodied guitar with a shorter neck length, then examine your posture, play in a relaxed state, shorten your practice periods, opting for more practice periods throughout the day instead of one long one. Good luck with it.

[Loraine]

Thanks @Cadgirl – It’s an easier fun song. Just goofy cadence and lyrics sometimes. I need to slow it down to Don Williams speed.

[Loraine]

Thanks so much for always being such a positive and supportive friend @Kitman !

[Loraine]

Really appreciate it @HowardM !

[Loraine]

Thanks for you continuous urging and support @Fletch

• This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by  Loraine.

[Loraine]

Really appreciate it @Marty69 🙂

[Loraine]

Wow, such a nice compliment! Thank you so much @Philb . 😄

[Loraine]

Thank you so much for the great feedback @Kitman . Not sure why, but certain songs just come easier to me than ones that might seem easier. Although this didn’t have bad chords. It was just, like you said, the amount of words and the inflection necessary.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by  Loraine.

[Loraine]

Thank you @SherryH ! I really appreciate the feedback.