Secondly any tricks to be tried on the f major chord. 2 weeks of practice and I am not getting it better?
Am I insane?
First, are there any other 40 somethings out there trying to learn from scratch? Or am I just insane?
Secondly any tricks to be tried on the f major chord. 2 weeks of practice and I am not getting it better?
Secondly any tricks to be tried on the f major chord. 2 weeks of practice and I am not getting it better?
# 1
I don't think anyone is crazy to try to learn guitar..
There are people here from all age groups.. How many total newbies I have no idea. Many have returned from years away from the guitar. Some like myself are in their mid sixties and older.
The F is a hard chord for most. Try the search tool "red banner above" just put in "F chord".
Try holding your guitar neck higher, turn the guitar body away from your body. Even fret the third and fouth string as those string are fretted on a another fret higher.
You can even go back to Fundemental 1 and see if you missed something there..
There are people here from all age groups.. How many total newbies I have no idea. Many have returned from years away from the guitar. Some like myself are in their mid sixties and older.
The F is a hard chord for most. Try the search tool "red banner above" just put in "F chord".
Try holding your guitar neck higher, turn the guitar body away from your body. Even fret the third and fouth string as those string are fretted on a another fret higher.
You can even go back to Fundemental 1 and see if you missed something there..
# 2
Originally Posted by: dbrewerolatheFirst, are there any other 40 somethings out there trying to learn from scratch? Or am I just insane?
Secondly any tricks to be tried on the f major chord. 2 weeks of practice and I am not getting it better?
Oh trust me, if you're not insane now, you will be soon. :)
Here's my story... Diary a sick mind.
Ken Sturgeon
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[SIZE="1"]Taylor 114ce
Gretsch G5120[/SIZE]
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[SIZE="1"]Taylor 114ce
Gretsch G5120[/SIZE]
# 3
I am a newbie as well. Thing is, I have been for several months, since I don't play all that often, and right now, music theory isn't quite what I would call stimulating. But I know deep down that it's necessary, even if I don't fully understand it yet.
Anyway, I found the F major challenging at first, but I got the hang of it. The trick, for me, is to turn my fingers sideways a bit... Basically, it's all about how you hold it, and how you steer your fingers. I'm sure that in time you'll figure it out; I had just as much trouble as you did.
Here's a picture I took to illustrate my point:
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy67/Denerynn/SSPX0217.jpg
I took it with my phone, so the quality isn't great, and it's not easy taking a picture AND holding the chord. Anyway, I found that by holding it in a different way (and maybe through sheer time and practice) I managed to get it down.
Anyway, I found the F major challenging at first, but I got the hang of it. The trick, for me, is to turn my fingers sideways a bit... Basically, it's all about how you hold it, and how you steer your fingers. I'm sure that in time you'll figure it out; I had just as much trouble as you did.
Here's a picture I took to illustrate my point:
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy67/Denerynn/SSPX0217.jpg
I took it with my phone, so the quality isn't great, and it's not easy taking a picture AND holding the chord. Anyway, I found that by holding it in a different way (and maybe through sheer time and practice) I managed to get it down.
# 4
Originally Posted by: dbrewerolatheFirst, are there any other 40 somethings out there trying to learn from scratch? Or am I just insane?
Secondly any tricks to be tried on the f major chord. 2 weeks of practice and I am not getting it better?
Nope. Not insane. I'm over 40. While I'm not a beginner and used play pretty seriously some time ago, I've picked it back up to do things I neglected years ago. That goes for a few other creative pursuits. So, not crazy.
Here's a few other late bloomers:
http://creativejourneycafe.com/2008/04/09/10-creative-late-bloomers/
# 5
I'll be hitting the big 50 in April. I've told my kids for years that when I turn 50 that I'm taking up the guitar! Well, my daughter bought me one for X-Mas. I can't get enough. I now hope to be rocking out, LOL, playing a few songs in time for my party!
# 6
Originally Posted by: dbrewerolatheFirst, are there any other 40 somethings out there trying to learn from scratch? Or am I just insane?
48 here (well, 49 in March), just starting out and loving it. But I've been insane for a long, long time.
# 7
44 and playing again after a long layoff. Trying to get much more serious about technique so that I can play any number of songs. Not sure if I'm insane but I think I'm driving my wife and kids insane.
Martin HD-28
Fender American Stratocaster
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Egnater Renegade
Fender American Stratocaster
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Egnater Renegade
# 8
First, are there any other 40 somethings out there trying to learn from scratch? Or am I just insane?
I wish I was still forty. I've played WITH guitars on and off for years, learned a few songs but never really learned to PLAY guitar. I've decided that its now or never, either finally learn to play or sell them all and never pick up a guitar again. Thats why I joined GT about 4 months ago.
Yes, chord progressions, scales and picking and strumming patterns are difficult at first. But after a while you start having these "I get it now!" moments. The fingers begin to get muscle memory so the chords and scales get easier. The next thing that happens is you start "hearing the music" in those boring progressions and scales. Just give it time, when it starts to happen you won't be able to wipe the smile from your face!
# 9
I'm here at 52 with my 30 year old Ovation applause acoustic guitar. I've played chords and done some picking by ear forever, but never progressed beyond the glorified beginner stage. Picking and strumming at sunset or on my boat is one of the most relaxing things I've ever done, and I hope the lessons here take me to a reasonable amount of
proficiency. Good luck with your journey........
proficiency. Good luck with your journey........
# 10
sanity is a relitive term. asking if your crazy here is like asking a drunk if he likes beer. he might say no but if you buy him a 6er he will drink it.
im 25 but i do know that every guitar player is a little bit nuts. from my teacher to every one ive every seen pick one up. i think it comes with the way the guitar plays. unlike most other instruments there are tons of different ways to play just about every riff chord and scale.
so dont worry about being crazy but please get some help if you start calling it your precious.
im 25 but i do know that every guitar player is a little bit nuts. from my teacher to every one ive every seen pick one up. i think it comes with the way the guitar plays. unlike most other instruments there are tons of different ways to play just about every riff chord and scale.
so dont worry about being crazy but please get some help if you start calling it your precious.
They say the END is near, but I'm Tired of waiting.
# 11
Originally Posted by: dbrewerolatheFirst, are there any other 40 somethings out there trying to learn from scratch? Or am I just insane?
Secondly any tricks to be tried on the f major chord. 2 weeks of practice and I am not getting it better?
55 here, been working on and off at learning from scratch for a year..you get
significantly better progress with more on time...practice til your hand and arm
aches...then put it down until tommorow...one of those tommorows you will
pick up your guitar and be barreing all up and down the neck and be asking
yourself..."What was all the fuss about?"
A little trick until your left hand strength is amped up....lock your guitar up
against your body with the inside forearm of your picking arm and pull towards
you with your fretting hand..pull the whole guitar into your chest..you get to
utilize your biceps which is significantly more developed than the small muscles
of the hand....
Have fun..
# 12
Originally Posted by: seamusridghone of those tommorows you will
pick up your guitar and be barreing all up and down the neck and be asking
yourself..."What was all the fuss about?"
...
Have fun..
Right on! I can't wait for that day and look forward to it with great enthusiasm. The good thing about the journey is that it most definitely will be fun. :)
Ken Sturgeon
-------------
[SIZE="1"]Taylor 114ce
Gretsch G5120[/SIZE]
-------------
[SIZE="1"]Taylor 114ce
Gretsch G5120[/SIZE]
# 13
Be 47 next week, started 1 and 1/2 years ago. It was always a dream to learn how to play acoustic guitar. I find it really hard to sing and play, otherwise I think I have progressed well. Actually starting to nail my F major and B minors (bar's). I took lessons for a year but I find the internet a better option. I was recently given an Epiphone Les Paul and am getting excited to learn Blues. I know the scales, now I' m trying to connect them and learn cool riffs. One thing that I did was buy a good guitar (Taylor), lol I figured if I spend a grand plus on a guitar it would motivate me to learn. Seems to of worked so far. Good luck...
# 14
Hey, I'm 62 and started the guitar at 58. I'm now getting the hang of the F bar chords and changing with the C major and G7 and G. So just think...by the time your my age you will have 20 years of playing under your belt. So congrats for starting and just keep going.
PS. The Guitar Principles heavy arm approach worked with me.
PS. The Guitar Principles heavy arm approach worked with me.
# 15
# 16
# 17
i just pick my guitar up, bash it around, kick it, and tell it to play ! so far results have been slow but i can only go up hill from here !
# 18
I'm 35 and just got a guitar for Christmas and I'm really loving it. I don't know any songs yet, but I can do scales without looking at the guitar with no problem along with a lot of string bends and hammer ons and pull offs to make them less boring. I know a lot of chords, but switching between them, even at 40bpm is pretty rough. I'd say i'm at about 30bpm, and my Metronome STARTS at 40, so its a huge pain in the ass right now.
Just remember, it only took Slash 10 years to go from picking up a guitar to rocking out in GnR and being hailed as one of the greats. If he can do it in 10 while being on every drug in the universe, that means you can do it in 5 sober!
Get to goin'!
Just remember, it only took Slash 10 years to go from picking up a guitar to rocking out in GnR and being hailed as one of the greats. If he can do it in 10 while being on every drug in the universe, that means you can do it in 5 sober!
Get to goin'!
# 19
47 and had no interest back when I was a kid (did take a couple lessons at 12). Now I really want to learn some Blues and am finding this learning thing will stave off alzheimers!
Just started about a two weeks ago and found Guitar Tricks this week. I have supported local bands my whole life and finally realized that maybe this is something I could also take part in. We'll see!
Just started about a two weeks ago and found Guitar Tricks this week. I have supported local bands my whole life and finally realized that maybe this is something I could also take part in. We'll see!
# 20