just getting started

hi everyone, I think this site is great i`ve just started to learn the guitar at the ripe old age of 62. I dabbled a few years ago but because of family and work commitments I didn`t have much time to practice. So now that i`ve retired from work I can put time asside to practice. Looked at the lessons on various types of guitar playing and found that the way lessons are broken down it is very easy ( with practice) to learn and it`s very enjoyable.
So a big thank you to Guitar Tricks all the instuctors for making an old man very happy. jimca92

welcome to in this wonderful site jimca92, you got in the right place, there is a lot of stuff to practice here and you will progress fast.

have fun!

Welcome to guitartricks young man :D
Doug

Hey man! Welcome to the forum :D

I just started tonight. How to hold the pick. I'm 48. I signed up for one year and really want to learn.

Hey Buddy,

If you just started, holding the pick is the least of your worries. Hold it by pinching it, with your thumb in the middle (NOT HANGING OFF). Later I can show you why, but for now just hold it so it's comfortable for you.

It should point perpendicular to your thumb. Hold it JUST enough so it doesn't fall out of your fingers (any looser and it would!). Angle it at about 40 degrees to the string... you know, just a little bit of a slant, not too much.

The picking motion should come directly from your WRIST. Not your fore arm, and not your thumb.

The best exercise for mastering picking at an early level is to practice string skipping. Play strings that are not adjacent to each other, and you will get much better, much faster.

But your first goal should be to have fun playing a song!!! Try to learn something like ode to joy on a single string, or like smoke on the water or something.. something EASY so you don't have to struggle and it'll be fun. :)

After you can play a simple song like that, try learning something that has a lot of string skipping in it (but not very much finger motion) so you can focus on both your hands evenly. :)

Hi Jim, welcome to the Guitar Tricks!
When do we get to see you in long hair, spandex pants, makeup and big boots? :D

Thanks matteo. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm up for it.

Hi Jim and everyone. I'm Bryan...just started playing guitar for less than I year ago and I already know how to play a few songs from the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Bob Marley. I watched my brother grow into an amazing Flamenco guitarist and now he is giving me free lessons at his school, NYGuitarAcademy. I'm now taking a some Flamenco lessons as well.

I'm looking forward to learning some new stuff on this site. Super stoked!

Welcome, Jim and Griz!

We're delighted to have you on board!
Have lots of fun with your new guitar knowhow!
Best wishes, Lisa