***OFFICIAL*** Guitar Guys Thread -- all axes, all the time (1 Viewer)

[kevzilla]

Okay, for the first time in my life, my wife bought me a piece of gear. and it’s a stunner. She’s a gorgeous Gretsch Billy Duffy Signature White Falcon. I am so blown away. Even better, the guitar was paired with a video my buddy procured for the occasion. Links below!

WHITE FALCON

Happy Birthday Video (sound up!)

The guitar and the wife are keepers

 

[bigbottom]

Okay, for the first time in my life, my wife bought me a piece of gear. and it’s a stunner. She’s a gorgeous Gretsch Billy Duffy Signature White Falcon. I am so blown away. Even better, the guitar was paired with a video my buddy procured for the occasion. Links below!

WHITE FALCON

Happy Birthday Video (sound up!)

The guitar and the wife are keepers

Hell yeah they are!

For now, I need to figure out how to play this axe. It is huge! Really need to keep the neck at a 45 degree angle which is materially different than how I usually play.

I mean look at this MONSTER!

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Day 1.

• Cleaned off the 2009 fender squire and frontman 15g amp.
• Watched a few videos.
• I "played" for about two hours, with half or more of that watching the videos.
• Relearned/re-familiarized myself with E minor and Asus2

Then I struggled mightily with A.

What is the general consensus on playing a using a alternative finger position? Im leaning torwards learning by using just two fingers but want to ask around before I develope a "bad trait" (Whatever those are?) RE: I dont think NASA can figure out a way to get 3 of these sausages to fit a single fret all in a line, Unpossible. (Yes I know things get easier but no way, Jose.)

30 DAY GOAL
Practice every day for 10 minutes or more
Learn to play a simple simple song/riff

1 YEAR GOAL
Become proficient at playing 3-5 songs.
Not be able to feel the tips of my fingers


I want to ask a few of you a huge favor. I would REALLY appriciate it if you will hold me accountable for practicing if you dont see me post for a day or two. PLEASE DO NOT RELENT unless I ask! I mean it.

 

[kevzilla]

A quick review indicates I left a couple of things out. LOL.

In late '23, I bought a MIM Nashville Tele. The low E string was off the guitar at the 21st fret, but it was $875 and I own a screwdriver. It is the king of twang, in Opal Spark. Rolled fretboards are the bomb.

In May of '24, I bought a LP Modern Figured in Cobalt Burst. What can I say, I had a blue period. I wanted to buy one guitar that was not a value decision, that checked every box. As luck would have it, Bizarre Guitar in Reno prices aggressively sometimes on the weekends, when Gibson isn't looking. It is 8 lbs 5 oz and perfect in every way

I ordered another guitar in December. It might arrive next week, fingers crossed.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Okay, for the first time in my life, my wife bought me a piece of gear. and it’s a stunner. She’s a gorgeous Gretsch Billy Duffy Signature White Falcon. I am so blown away. Even better, the guitar was paired with a video my buddy procured for the occasion. Links below!

WHITE FALCON

Happy Birthday Video (sound up!)

The guitar and the wife are keepers

Hell yeah they are!

For now, I need to figure out how to play this axe. It is huge! Really need to keep the neck at a 45 degree angle which is materially different than how I usually play.

I mean look at this MONSTER!

What does a “big” guitar do differently?


I’m learning with a cheap Fender Squire and a ~$400 homeade/kit acoustic guitar that I got for free.

Is it worth learning or would it be easier on a “better” guitar?

I’m all in and know I can do this with practice.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Day 2 - Got about 45 minutes of solid practice.

Man today was hard. Fingers hurt. wrist is a little sore. I can do the three chords individually but switching between was a mess.
I found another video with Em + D69f#@$ and a simpel strumming pattern. Did that for awhile just to make some pleasing sounds and get some strumming in.

I know from last time that it will come so Im not discouraged at all.

 

[bigbottom]

Day 1.

• Cleaned off the 2009 fender squire and frontman 15g amp.
• Watched a few videos.
• I "played" for about two hours, with half or more of that watching the videos.
• Relearned/re-familiarized myself with E minor and Asus2

Then I struggled mightily with A.

What is the general consensus on playing a using a alternative finger position? Im leaning torwards learning by using just two fingers but want to ask around before I develope a "bad trait" (Whatever those are?) RE: I dont think NASA can figure out a way to get 3 of these sausages to fit a single fret all in a line, Unpossible. (Yes I know things get easier but no way, Jose.)

30 DAY GOAL
Practice every day for 10 minutes or more
Learn to play a simple simple song/riff

1 YEAR GOAL
Become proficient at playing 3-5 songs.
Not be able to feel the tips of my fingers


I want to ask a few of you a huge favor. I would REALLY appriciate it if you will hold me accountable for practicing if you dont see me post for a day or two. PLEASE DO NOT RELENT unless I ask! I mean it.

Awesome! Stick with it brother!! I’ll try to monitor this thread to help keep you honest.

As for the A chord, I actually play it in a non-traditional way that I think is ideal, but hardly anyone uses the fingering I use. But I still use three fingers so it won’t likely help you. If you only use two fingers, just play the 3rd and 4th strings and let your finger mute the 2nd string.

 

[bigbottom]

A quick review indicates I left a couple of things out. LOL.

In late '23, I bought a MIM Nashville Tele. The low E string was off the guitar at the 21st fret, but it was $875 and I own a screwdriver. It is the king of twang, in Opal Spark. Rolled fretboards are the bomb.

In May of '24, I bought a LP Modern Figured in Cobalt Burst. What can I say, I had a blue period. I wanted to buy one guitar that was not a value decision, that checked every box. As luck would have it, Bizarre Guitar in Reno prices aggressively sometimes on the weekends, when Gibson isn't looking. It is 8 lbs 5 oz and perfect in every way

I ordered another guitar in December. It might arrive next week, fingers crossed.

Guitars should be purchased for love not value!!!

 

[bigbottom]

Day 2 - Got about 45 minutes of solid practice.

Man today was hard. Fingers hurt. wrist is a little sore. I can do the three chords individually but switching between was a mess.
I found another video with Em + D69f#@$ and a simpel strumming pattern. Did that for awhile just to make some pleasing sounds and get some strumming in.

I know from last time that it will come so Im not discouraged at all.

What three chords are you switching between?

 

[bigbottom]

Okay, for the first time in my life, my wife bought me a piece of gear. and it’s a stunner. She’s a gorgeous Gretsch Billy Duffy Signature White Falcon. I am so blown away. Even better, the guitar was paired with a video my buddy procured for the occasion. Links below!

WHITE FALCON

Happy Birthday Video (sound up!)

The guitar and the wife are keepers

Hell yeah they are!

For now, I need to figure out how to play this axe. It is huge! Really need to keep the neck at a 45 degree angle which is materially different than how I usually play.

I mean look at this MONSTER!

What does a “big” guitar do differently?


I’m learning with a cheap Fender Squire and a ~$400 homeade/kit acoustic guitar that I got for free.

Is it worth learning or would it be easier on a “better” guitar?

I’m all in and know I can do this with practice.

It doesn’t do anything or play differently. But it’s a massive guitar (larger than many acoustics) and neck heavy (due to the massive headstock and hollow body) so I have to hold it differently when I play which changes the angle of my fret hand.

As for learning, your Squier is fine, but you may want to take it to a guitar center or local shop to have it “set up.” They will make sure that the action is low so you don’t have to press so hard on the strings with your fingers, and that the intonation is correct so it is in tune up and down the fretboard.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Day 2 - Got about 45 minutes of solid practice.

Man today was hard. Fingers hurt. wrist is a little sore. I can do the three chords individually but switching between was a mess.
I found another video with Em + D69f#@$ and a simpel strumming pattern. Did that for awhile just to make some pleasing sounds and get some strumming in.

I know from last time that it will come so Im not discouraged at all.

What three chords are you switching between?

Em, Asus2 (?) and A


Not really switching between them to play anything purposefully, just trying to get the finger position/dexterity.

I’m basically starting from scratch. It’s been about 15 years since I last tried this.

I realized today that more practice (this early in the game) is detrimental as my fingers are so sore. I will limit my
Practice to 15 minutes until they are no longer tender.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Okay, for the first time in my life, my wife bought me a piece of gear. and it’s a stunner. She’s a gorgeous Gretsch Billy Duffy Signature White Falcon. I am so blown away. Even better, the guitar was paired with a video my buddy procured for the occasion. Links below!

WHITE FALCON

Happy Birthday Video (sound up!)

The guitar and the wife are keepers

Hell yeah they are!

For now, I need to figure out how to play this axe. It is huge! Really need to keep the neck at a 45 degree angle which is materially different than how I usually play.

I mean look at this MONSTER!

What does a “big” guitar do differently?


I’m learning with a cheap Fender Squire and a ~$400 homeade/kit acoustic guitar that I got for free.

Is it worth learning or would it be easier on a “better” guitar?

I’m all in and know I can do this with practice.

It doesn’t do anything or play differently. But it’s a massive guitar (larger than many acoustics) and neck heavy (due to the massive headstock and hollow body) so I have to hold it differently when I play which changes the angle of my fret hand.

As for learning, your Squier is fine, but you may want to take it to a guitar center or local shop to have it “set up.” They will make sure that the action is low so you don’t have to press so hard on the strings with your fingers, and that the intonation is correct so it is in tune up and down the fretboard.

I would rather save my money for a better axe than spend a dime on this junk but I will take my acoustic in for a look.

I have vowed to do this so there is no turning back. I won’t quit- this is about something more than playing a guitar. It’s about accomplishing a goal and I won’t let anything stop me.

 

[bigbottom]

Okay, for the first time in my life, my wife bought me a piece of gear. and it’s a stunner. She’s a gorgeous Gretsch Billy Duffy Signature White Falcon. I am so blown away. Even better, the guitar was paired with a video my buddy procured for the occasion. Links below!

WHITE FALCON

Happy Birthday Video (sound up!)

The guitar and the wife are keepers

Hell yeah they are!

For now, I need to figure out how to play this axe. It is huge! Really need to keep the neck at a 45 degree angle which is materially different than how I usually play.

I mean look at this MONSTER!

What does a “big” guitar do differently?


I’m learning with a cheap Fender Squire and a ~$400 homeade/kit acoustic guitar that I got for free.

Is it worth learning or would it be easier on a “better” guitar?

I’m all in and know I can do this with practice.

It doesn’t do anything or play differently. But it’s a massive guitar (larger than many acoustics) and neck heavy (due to the massive headstock and hollow body) so I have to hold it differently when I play which changes the angle of my fret hand.

As for learning, your Squier is fine, but you may want to take it to a guitar center or local shop to have it “set up.” They will make sure that the action is low so you don’t have to press so hard on the strings with your fingers, and that the intonation is correct so it is in tune up and down the fretboard.

I would rather save my money for a better axe than spend a dime on this junk but I will take my acoustic in for a look.

I have vowed to do this so there is no turning back. I won’t quit- this is about something more than playing a guitar. It’s about accomplishing a goal and I won’t let anything stop me.

To save your fingers, maybe just focus on learning with your Squier? Acoustics are generally harder on your fingers and much more complicated to adjust.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Okay, for the first time in my life, my wife bought me a piece of gear. and it’s a stunner. She’s a gorgeous Gretsch Billy Duffy Signature White Falcon. I am so blown away. Even better, the guitar was paired with a video my buddy procured for the occasion. Links below!

WHITE FALCON

Happy Birthday Video (sound up!)

The guitar and the wife are keepers

Hell yeah they are!

For now, I need to figure out how to play this axe. It is huge! Really need to keep the neck at a 45 degree angle which is materially different than how I usually play.

I mean look at this MONSTER!

What does a “big” guitar do differently?


I’m learning with a cheap Fender Squire and a ~$400 homeade/kit acoustic guitar that I got for free.

Is it worth learning or would it be easier on a “better” guitar?

I’m all in and know I can do this with practice.

It doesn’t do anything or play differently. But it’s a massive guitar (larger than many acoustics) and neck heavy (due to the massive headstock and hollow body) so I have to hold it differently when I play which changes the angle of my fret hand.

As for learning, your Squier is fine, but you may want to take it to a guitar center or local shop to have it “set up.” They will make sure that the action is low so you don’t have to press so hard on the strings with your fingers, and that the intonation is correct so it is in tune up and down the fretboard.

I would rather save my money for a better axe than spend a dime on this junk but I will take my acoustic in for a look.

I have vowed to do this so there is no turning back. I won’t quit- this is about something more than playing a guitar. It’s about accomplishing a goal and I won’t let anything stop me.

To save your fingers, maybe just focus on learning with your Squier? Acoustics are generally harder on your fingers and much more complicated to adjust.

Just got back from guitar center with some new strings for both guitars.

I had the guy look at my acoustic to see if it was worth fixing. He said he would t throw any money at it. I asked him his opinion on an above entry level aquistoc and he suggested that I buy a Yamaha FG800J - he said it’s cheap, a workhorse and of the few he’s seen with problems. They were relatively minor.

Because I’m only on day three I’m just gonna rock with what I have and when I get to the 30 day mark, maybe I’ll splurge and buy myself a gift as a reward

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Day 3:

Got some practice time in. 30 minutes.
Fingers are sore. Also got a splinter on my left middle finger so thats fun. (Doesnt touch the strings but its no bueno)
Still working on just strumming individual chords.
I have them written down so I say them as I do them.

Em
Asus2
A

I think Im going to rock the two finger method for A major. I've tried traditional and the triangle, but the way I do it feels better and I can also do it with my middle and ring finger and make cool devil horns.


I will try and re-string the acoustic since its missing the low E string. Dont want to mess up both and not have a working guitar.

 

[bigbottom]

Day 3:

Got some practice time in. 30 minutes.
Fingers are sore. Also got a splinter on my left middle finger so thats fun. (Doesnt touch the strings but its no bueno)
Still working on just strumming individual chords.
I have them written down so I say them as I do them.

Em
Asus2
A

I think Im going to rock the two finger method for A major. I've tried traditional and the triangle, but the way I do it feels better and I can also do it with my middle and ring finger and make cool devil horns.


I will try and re-string the acoustic since its missing the low E string. Dont want to mess up both and not have a working guitar.

Make sure you practice today!

 

[bigbottom]

I already have too much on my plate music-wise with two bands going at the moment, but me and a buddy are toying with a little side project, namely a Cure/Smiths band or Cure/Cult band or possibly just a Cure tribute. Initial plan if it pans out is to put together a one hour set to play at a small club as part of a multi-band lineup just to see if we can pull it off. Have no idea whether we can actually make it work.

Edit: Also unsure about whether we’d go full tribute with me dressing up like Robert Smith. Probably not, but it’s actually doable for me since he’s so hard on the eyes.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Day 4: - Got ~20 minutes with the electric and about 5 with the acoustic.

Cleaned up and re-strung the acoustic last night.

Learned a new chord - G
Shockingly easy compared to A despite being an additional finger and fret.

Practiced each chord and tried switching a little here and there.
Also toying around with picking individual strings

The acoustic is very hard on the digits right now. Hard to push down hard enough, especially with my index finger.

Will probably get some more practice time in later.

 

[UncleZen]

As @bigbottom stated, stick with the electric to learn on. Your fingers will appreciate you and you will learn faster. I recommend learning G, C, D and Em chords and you can play hundreds of songs with just those 4 chords.

Regarding the A, I always played it the lazy way and just made a bar and skipped the high E string. Keep going!

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I recommend learning G, C, D and Em chords and you can play hundreds of songs with just those 4 chords.

I will keep this in mind going forward. Thank you.

 

[AAABatteries]

Where the hell is @Otis

 

[Lehigh98]

Bought a starter electric guitar 10 years ago with the plan to start learning on Xbox Rocksmith but was totally green and couldn't figure out how to get started. Then bought a starter acoustic 5 years ago to try and follow some YouTube lessons but kept getting busy / distracted. Went for a few in person lessons but practicing "Ode to Joy" really didn't do it for me. Any tips for something to get started that's more fun? Start with one chord or a simple song so I can actually see some progress to keep me going? Thanks!

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Bought a starter electric guitar 10 years ago with the plan to start learning on Xbox Rocksmith but was totally green and couldn't figure out how to get started. Then bought a starter acoustic 5 years ago to try and follow some YouTube lessons but kept getting busy / distracted. Went for a few in person lessons but practicing "Ode to Joy" really didn't do it for me. Any tips for something to get started that's more fun? Start with one chord or a simple song so I can actually see some progress to keep me going? Thanks!

I don’t think there’s a trick other than practicing consistently.

 

[Lehigh98]

Bought a starter electric guitar 10 years ago with the plan to start learning on Xbox Rocksmith but was totally green and couldn't figure out how to get started. Then bought a starter acoustic 5 years ago to try and follow some YouTube lessons but kept getting busy / distracted. Went for a few in person lessons but practicing "Ode to Joy" really didn't do it for me. Any tips for something to get started that's more fun? Start with one chord or a simple song so I can actually see some progress to keep me going? Thanks!

I don’t think there’s a trick other than practicing consistently.

Let me rephrase, what's a fun song with simpler chords / progressions to play around with that's more current than "Ode to Joy"?

 

[bigbottom]

Bought a starter electric guitar 10 years ago with the plan to start learning on Xbox Rocksmith but was totally green and couldn't figure out how to get started. Then bought a starter acoustic 5 years ago to try and follow some YouTube lessons but kept getting busy / distracted. Went for a few in person lessons but practicing "Ode to Joy" really didn't do it for me. Any tips for something to get started that's more fun? Start with one chord or a simple song so I can actually see some progress to keep me going? Thanks!

I don’t think there’s a trick other than practicing consistently.

Let me rephrase, what's a fun song with simpler chords / progressions to play around with that's more current than "Ode to Joy"?

Per @UncleZen’s post, you can play a ton of songs with just G,C, D, Em. Here’s a video of 30 of them.

YouTube is a great place to learn songs on guitar. Nearly every popular guitar based song has one or more instructional videos on how to play it (some are better than others). I also subscribe to the Ultimate Guitar app which has tablature instructions for just about every song.

 

[Lehigh98]

Bought a starter electric guitar 10 years ago with the plan to start learning on Xbox Rocksmith but was totally green and couldn't figure out how to get started. Then bought a starter acoustic 5 years ago to try and follow some YouTube lessons but kept getting busy / distracted. Went for a few in person lessons but practicing "Ode to Joy" really didn't do it for me. Any tips for something to get started that's more fun? Start with one chord or a simple song so I can actually see some progress to keep me going? Thanks!

I don’t think there’s a trick other than practicing consistently.

Let me rephrase, what's a fun song with simpler chords / progressions to play around with that's more current than "Ode to Joy"?

Per @UncleZen’s post, you can play a ton of songs with just G,C, D, Em. Here’s a video of 30 of them.

YouTube is a great place to learn songs on guitar. Nearly every popular guitar based song has one or more instructional videos on how to play it (some are better than others). I also subscribe to the Ultimate Guitar app which has tablature instructions for just about every song.

Awesome, exactly the type of thing I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Day 5 (Yesterday) - I only got about 10 minutes in.



Day 6 - practiced for 1 hour

Im just strumming different chords. Alternating between Em, asus2, A, G and tonight I added D. Getting better at going back and forth. Getting better at not muffling a neighboring string. I am sorta stuck in a similar strumming pattern. Im also not really playing anything yet, just playing chords. I will look to add C next and then maybe I can start working on playing something.

Overall Im supper excited about my progress. I can feel my finger dexterity improving. Best news is my fingers dont hurt nearly as bad. I mean they're a little tender, but nothing like before.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Day 7

Em = 99%

Asus2 = 75%

A - learning 2 finger and now a liitle 3 finger traditional just cause i can = 70%

G = 90%

D = Oddly enough I did better yesterday than today.

Played for over an hour. Lots of picking individual strings, back and forth, then in order, kinda doing them in an order I cant really explain easy enough right now cause Im going to bed.

Fingers not being sore was overstated. The 10 minute day 5 gave me a false sense of security.

Same bat- time, same bat - channel!

 

[kevzilla]

@STEADYMOBBIN 22 Here's something you can already do:

1) Put on an old Western and grab your acoustic. Fast-forward to just before the climactic gun battle, if you want.

b) Strum UP on that Em. Not as fast as normal, but not one string at a time, either.

$) Enjoy your first movie-scoring experience!

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I don’t want to completely make this MY thread so I may not check in daily but I have been practicing everyday for at least 10 minutes.

Em, Asus2, A, G, D, and C.

Still working on just switching chords and doing a lot of picking. Pretty cool to go from thinking HTF do people do that!?! and there’s no way I could to ……hmmmm….. I can see how if I keep doing this that it will come.

Trying to squeeze in some morning or lunchtime playing so I dont have to worry about getting it in late at night before bed.

 

[bigbottom]

I don’t want to completely make this MY thread so I may not check in daily but I have been practicing everyday for at least 10 minutes.

Em, Asus2, A, G, D, and C.

Still working on just switching chords and doing a lot of picking. Pretty cool to go from thinking HTF do people do that!?! and there’s no way I could to ……hmmmm….. I can see how if I keep doing this that it will come.

Trying to squeeze in some morning or lunchtime playing so I dont have to worry about getting it in late at night before bed.

Work on the E chord. That is also very common. Keep at it, you’re doing great!!

 

[dickey moe]

SteadyM.... sorry if you already commented on this, but have you ever considered taking a few lessons?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

SteadyM.... sorry if you already commented on this, but have you ever considered taking a few lessons?

I’m not opposed to it but I feel like I would benefit more after I have picked up the basics. I need the muscle finger memory to develop and that takes lots and lots of practice and sleep.

I’m getting close. I can play 6 chords now and they sound better and better everyday.

Going to look for something easy to try and play. I feel like I’m ready to work on something now.

I’m in Charleston SC moving my daughter in but I brought my electric guitar and a few picks. I’m actually getting in a lot of practice as it’s just sitting in the living room of the place we’re staying. I practice while the girls are getting ready or later when we get back.

 

[dickey moe]

It will be easier for you to practice chords on an electric guitar instead of an acoustic - slimmer neck.

 

[kevzilla]

My Texas Toast Challenger has arrived after an eight-month wait. Imagine if Gibson had made an all-korina LP Special in 1958, but with a 60's neck. It's a beauty! The pickups are made by a guy named Dylan McKerchie, who makes the best P90s in the world. Just ask him, lol. The vibrato and other hardware is from Hipshot. It's a resto-mod Corvette that is far more capable than its driver.

I was told I need to be able to play "Champagne Supernova" by Saturday. Lotta Asus2 in there, looks doable.

 

[DocHolliday]

SteadyM.... sorry if you already commented on this, but have you ever considered taking a few lessons?

I’m not opposed to it but I feel like I would benefit more after I have picked up the basics. I need the muscle finger memory to develop and that takes lots and lots of practice and sleep.

I’m getting close. I can play 6 chords now and they sound better and better everyday.

Going to look for something easy to try and play. I feel like I’m ready to work on something now.

I’m in Charleston SC moving my daughter in but I brought my electric guitar and a few picks. I’m actually getting in a lot of practice as it’s just sitting in the living room of the place we’re staying. I practice while the girls are getting ready or later when we get back.

If I could go back and start my guitar journey over, I would have included finger exercises in my practice time every day and playing with a metronome a lot earlier! Adding those 2 components increased my abilities a ton.

Edit addition: And, slow down!!

 

[freakinback2]

Me playing on a $80 Harley Benton - It did go out of tune fairly quickly.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Day 23:

I’ve been practicing at least a few minutes everyday but kinda hit a wall for a week. I was just strumming and changing chords but not playing anything. I was in a rut.

Then a couple days ago I started trying to play Pearl Jam’s cover of Last Kiss. Tonight I had a bit of a breakthrough.

I’m butchering it but there's a melody in there. It goes to pieces when I try to sing but we’ll get there.

Hot dog.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Day 27 - almost a month in…

I’m close to being able to play Last Kiss (without the picking part). I’m settling in to playing more short sessions every day rather than just one. I find that after about 20 minutes I make more mistakes than when I started. Both guitars are now in my living room so I just pick them up all the time. Even if it’s just for three minutes.

I am really trying to speed up my learning and skills by switching between the acoustic and electric. I switch strumming fingers, I pick, I experiment. I play standing, sitting and without looking at my hands/the fret. I’m trying to get good at this ****.

As I struggle with the transition to strumming a clear D chord today I reminded myself that three weeks ago I could barely play a single chord.

Which brings me to a question:

Better to play quickly/repetitively and over the course of time the notes will clear up

Or

Play as slow as needed with more precise finger position and speed up over time?


Currently I am doing both. Playing slow and softer. I am naturally VERY hard on the strings which I need to control but also- it may be “my sound”.


ETA -

 

[freakinback2]

Day 27 - almost a month in…

I’m close to being able to play Last Kiss (without the picking part). I’m settling in to playing more short sessions every day rather than just one. I find that after about 20 minutes I make more mistakes than when I started. Both guitars are now in my living room so I just pick them up all the time. Even if it’s just for three minutes.

I am really trying to speed up my learning and skills by switching between the acoustic and electric. I switch strumming fingers, I pick, I experiment. I play standing, sitting and without looking at my hands/the fret. I’m trying to get good at this ****.

As I struggle with the transition to strumming a clear D chord today I reminded myself that three weeks ago I could barely play a single chord.

Which brings me to a question:

Better to play quickly/repetitively and over the course of time the notes will clear up

Or

Play as slow as needed with more precise finger position and speed up over time?


Currently I am doing both. Playing slow and softer. I am naturally VERY hard on the strings which I need to control but also- it may be “my sound”.


ETA -

Sounds glib but just play. As you build strength and muscle memory it gets easier, automatic. I've noticed as I progressed my chords get lazier and lazier. I rarely play the high e string with a D chord or the low E and A strings with barre chords (f shape). I suggest training your ear. While tuners are wonderful, when you are close to in tune use your ear, listen for the warble to disappear as the two notes get to unison. Sounds like you got the bug, I play during commercials, and I get something from it. Best way to get good fast is to play with other people. If you can arrange that, do it. It's ok to be self-conscious, just means you give a crap.
Just play. Trust your ears, if it sounds cool it is cool.

 

[Otis]

Where the hell is @Otis

Het

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Is it weird that I can’t wait for later when my wife and daughter go to a wedding reception and the guitar and I get the house all by ourselves for a few hours?