Old Guy Can Learn new Tricks?

I'm 51 and first time trying to learn. Having so much fun, could always sing, but never accomplish an instrument....very determined to do this. My wife bought me a Yamaha guitar for Christmas, took first lessons in January, making progress, but struggling with the pic. I can't seem to keep it in correct angle position, keeps slipping to one side or the other, have tried different pics with same result??? I seem to need to grip it so hard that it does not seem natural? I think I could catch on to the right hand thumb picing patterns? I can play some songs only when I am not using the pic but using my thumb...in order for me to keep having fun and feel like I am progressing, I would like to go the direction of learning to pic patterns with my fingers and keep practicing with the pic, but need to feel I am making progress...any suggestions would be much appreciated, any suggestions on where I would find how to learn the thumb picing patterns would be also appreciated! Last issue I am having...I cannot get all my fingers together to play A...any ideas how to correct this? A wider necked guitar?
# 1

Welcome to GT. I am relatively new here also but am learning a lot and enjoying it. I, too, have some problems with the A chord but have been using the following fingering and find it makes my life easier.
I use my index finger on the g string, middle finger on the d, and ring finger on the b. Looks a little strange but I can get a good sound as all fingers are closer to the 2nd fret. It also makes transition to the E and D chords easy...just slide the index up a little for the D and back one fret for the E. So far, I haven't found this to be a detriment.
I also have a Yamaha guitar (Pacifica 112J) with a Fender Mustang I V2 amp. They work great for me as a beginner.
Tom
I use my index finger on the g string, middle finger on the d, and ring finger on the b. Looks a little strange but I can get a good sound as all fingers are closer to the 2nd fret. It also makes transition to the E and D chords easy...just slide the index up a little for the D and back one fret for the E. So far, I haven't found this to be a detriment.
I also have a Yamaha guitar (Pacifica 112J) with a Fender Mustang I V2 amp. They work great for me as a beginner.
Tom
# 2

I usually bar the A, but have just tried what Tom suggested & it works quiet well, might use that myself.
# 3

Use the forum search, It's been covered a few times in here.
Try a small dab of Sticky Tack. Available at most staple supply stores. It can get messy so use very little. A dab about the size of a match head.
Wedgie Nylon XT Textured Picks has a few good review. If you can find where they are not sold out.
3 fingers will fit on the second fret.. Try up the neck about mid way. It may be you need a set up to lower your string.
It does take time for muscle memory to set in.
I have my index finger closer to the first fret. Middle and ring finger close to the second fret. Make sure your fingers point in at a 90 degree angle.
-----X---R
---X-----I
-----X---M
Maybe this will help.. good luck
Try a small dab of Sticky Tack. Available at most staple supply stores. It can get messy so use very little. A dab about the size of a match head.
Wedgie Nylon XT Textured Picks has a few good review. If you can find where they are not sold out.
3 fingers will fit on the second fret.. Try up the neck about mid way. It may be you need a set up to lower your string.
It does take time for muscle memory to set in.
I have my index finger closer to the first fret. Middle and ring finger close to the second fret. Make sure your fingers point in at a 90 degree angle.
-----X---R
---X-----I
-----X---M
Maybe this will help.. good luck
# 4

Originally Posted by: Nomad2I usually bar the A, but have just tried what Tom suggested & it works quiet well, might use that myself.
Nomad2: For your information I got the A chord fingering from Justin @ justinguitar.com. I believe he is in the UK and is a superb guitarist.
Tom
# 5

# 6