Another newbe from Colorado

Just saying hi to everyone. Retired a yr ago, and decided to take up guitar in my spare time. I'm about 7 mo's in and still enjoying it. I feel online is such a good way to learn. I can play videos as many times as necessary, and the written lessons below them are a great help too. Wanted to say hi to hvacpro also. If you want to talk guitar sometime, send me a PM. I'm in the FT Lupton area.

Hi lodo_4,

Thanks for posting, good to hear you're still going strong 7 mos in!

Thanks for the encouragement. Yep, still determined, and like Ive heard, I'm looking at it as a journey, not a destination. Sometimes I feel abit intimidated when I watch a pro--seems impossible to obtain at my age, but then I remind myself its just one day at a time, and when this journey is over for me, I'll be a better player than I am today. I started off for the 1st 2 months trying to pick-up what I could off of you tube, but it started occurring to me that without structure I wouldn't really get anywhere worthwhile. So I have about 5 mo of structured practice. So far I have learned the 9 or so basic open chords, the adds and sus that go with them, the 5 minor pentatonic, the a minor, b minor, c minor scales, and am working on the c major scale. I like the beginning of a bit of music theory that's in your starter lessons, I can see where that could be important down the road. That's why I have worked so hard on the scales. There not a song so they don't have that feeling, but I feel its very good practice for down the road. Working on 3 tunes--arpeggio of House of the rising Sun. the strum of Runaway Train, and strum of Puff the magic Dragon. Also working for over 3 mo on the F and B bar chord. I have them sounding pretty good, but Puff has been the toughest tune trying to maintain tempo going from G to B bar. Cant quite do it yet. Also working on the F5, G5, A5 power chords for later. I had horrible wrist pain that started about a month in and lasted for at least 3 months. Its finally getting better. Found a clamp at a local store that i use to exercise my hand, and started taking vitamin B6, it all seemed to help. Also working hard on proper finger placement when doing scales, you know--reaching with them, rather than them flying all over the place--lol. Darn--It just occurred to me after this long chat--there's a lot to this undertaking----lol

Wow, sounds like you are doing great!! It's awesome that you are learning some songs as you are also learning chords and scales. I think that's critical in keeping your interest, allowing yourself a big sense of accomplishment, and having fun - that's what it's about, right!?!?!

Keep the pain thing in check. It sounds like you've taken some good steps, but if it lingers or gets worse again, you might want to take a really close look at your position, how much time you are spending playing, etc. Hopefully you continue on the mend!!

Fanstastic job - keep it up!

Wow, nice work! I agree with maggior, def keep an eye on anything that gives you pain. And it's a good suggestion to watch your neck position. When I had a low-hung guitar (looked cool) I had more wrist problems. If you're sitting you can raise your knee so your guitar neck is higher and your wrist is less bent.

Give your wrist a break if it gets too painful, health is the most valuable thing we humans can have.

Thanks for the info all. Yep I'm keeping aware. I'm very happy that the wrist seems to be much better, and staying that way. I'm practicing 1-2 hrs a day without a problem. When the wrist was hurting it was kinda weird. I could barley make a chord at start of practice, so I would practice scales for about 5 mins, and my wrist would loosen up. But within a half hr of setting the guitar down, it would be tight and hurt again. I tried everything, posture, wrist brace, warm water, ice packs--kept hurting. Don't know if its a coincidence or not, but right around the time I started the B-6 is when it started feeling better. Also am happy to say that by going from G to B in Puff is improving. Almost there!