I really want to play this thing well

Hello. I don't usually like social media, however, I am happy to be a member. I began my guitar journey last August at 49. I started to play several years ago, but life got in the way. I wish I had stuck with it because it is quite difficult to get started and there is so much to learn if I want to play well. I am really enjoying it now. I practice at least 1 hour each day. I take private lessons once per week and love it. I fill in the week with this wonderful website among others. For me, I find it is important to work step by step and then move forward. I am excited to join you on this adventure.

Welcome aboard Optikdoc! Learning guitar is a lot of fun, sounds like you have a great attitude. I started a long time ago, stopped for a while, and have since started getting back into it. One thing I'd recommend (and it sounds like you're on to this already) is when learning, pick something that's not too challenging, and then get it perfect. Probably the number one mistake I see beginners make (and I made too when I was younger) is moving forward with sloppy & poor technique, piling on more things to learn in the false belief it will come together later on. When you learn chords, scales, or little riffs, whatever, try to get them down pat. If you're learning a song that has a difficult section that is holding you back, feel free to simplify it so that you can play cleanly and perfectly for now. That's the quickest way to improving. Its a wonderful journey, have fun!

I'm renewed to the site and renewing my interest too at 49. Some great first time advice and applicable for anyone and both our posts and ambitions--thank you!

Thank you. I agree with simplicity to start. I find myself wanting more too quickly. I need to step back and slow down. I like going back to review where I've been and improving from there. Besides practicing different techniques, I almost wasted a year because I switched teachers. He tried to teach me too quickly with more difficult songs. And even though I had to travel further, I started again with my original teacher who had to "reign me in". I am back once again working on my strumming. But I feel more confident now and with working on finger exercises and scales in between I am getting a lot more out of the hour practice. So, once again I am excited. Thanks

Originally Posted by: optikdocThank you. I agree with simplicity to start. I find myself wanting more too quickly. I need to step back and slow down. I like going back to review where I've been and improving from there. Besides practicing different techniques, I almost wasted a year because I switched teachers. He tried to teach me too quickly with more difficult songs. And even though I had to travel further, I started again with my original teacher who had to "reign me in". I am back once again working on my strumming. But I feel more confident now and with working on finger exercises and scales in between I am getting a lot more out of the hour practice. So, once again I am excited. Thanks

You made a smart choice. I stopped taking private lessons years ago because my teacher kept going full steam ahead despite the fact that I wasn't totally grasping what we had done.

It's a great to approach and a great attitude to take a few steps back, review where you've been, and fill in any gaps you find. It's what I'm trying to do at the moment.

Welcome aboard and good luck! It's a lot of fun here!

Here's an example of what I'm talking about: Dirty Paws Now, you may have heard this tune already. That super catchy opening guitar line is not particularly hard to play, its really quite simple. It sounds beautiful though, and a huge part of that is that he plays it perfectly... spot on picking and timing, super clean and you can feel the "groove" within just seconds of listening to the song. Just a great example of following that rule, if you play something perfectly, even if its just simple, people will really appreciate it, much more so than something that is more complicated, but played poorly.

I appreciate all the input and will continue the journey. I will keep you posted.