Very Frustrated

Ok, so I'm in Fundamentals 1 and am learning the first 5 chords. I can change through them ok in practice, but its a mess trying to keep up with a song. I guess maybe I'm just a really slow learner, but Roll Like Water and especially I Get It Now seem like there is zero chance I can do these. Maybe its just me, but it just seems like we jumped ahead pretyy quick. I know everyone progresses differently, but these chords have me down. I just don't see much improvement and makes me want to quit.

Progress will come, but you have to be consistent and patient. Work on it everyday as much as you can and enjoy!

I know exactly how you feel. I struggled with "I Get It Now" for several weeks. I practiced it over and over and over again. I practiced the chord changes when I was watching TV. Eventually, I got it! It's an incredible moment when you finally have that break through. Almost brings tears to your eyes.

Hang in there.

I appreciate the responses. I'm a very competitive person and I guess I just expect things to get things pretty quick. I'm going to keep plugging away and look forward to getting that breakthrough.

Originally Posted by: js_miller99

Ok, so I'm in Fundamentals 1 and am learning the first 5 chords. I can change through them ok in practice, but its a mess trying to keep up with a song. I guess maybe I'm just a really slow learner, but Roll Like Water and especially I Get It Now seem like there is zero chance I can do these. Maybe its just me, but it just seems like we jumped ahead pretyy quick. I know everyone progresses differently, but these chords have me down. I just don't see much improvement and makes me want to quit.

I've been playing since 1981/82 (with a small break in there) and one of the first songs I ever learned was Led Zep's Black Dog. That was out of ignorance that it was a hard song but still, I did alright getting it down. As one of my first songs (Rush 'Fly by Night' was the other first), I took on something way more advanced than I should but I practiced the heck out of that thing. It's not easy in terms of patter and riff.

Not to tell you an old story but that yesterday, I was just noodling on the acoustic and Black Dog popped in my head so I played it, of course. Wanna know what's funny, I still screwed it up. It's still a pretty hard song to get right. It's not a hard theory song since it's mostly based on an A Major pentatonic but the pattern and timing are still not normal. So, I still screwed it up. I've played it off and on for well over 30 years!

Moral of the story, though you're thinking you might have zero chance to do them, you can do them eventually. Why did I figure it out back 30 years ago? I just kept on going until I (mostly) got it..even when I shouldn't have. Yesterday? I was sloppy and and messed up because I hadn't played it in a while and if I really wanted to 'get it down', I'd have to practice it more. I won't cuz I just like playing the riff for fun..no other reason. It's about persisting. Take your time and learn it bit by bit and build up your skill...you just don't get there. It's learning.

The bad news is that you are going to have to spend the rest of your guitar playing life practicing. It is hardest when you are just beginning because you have to establish these practice habits with little apparent reward. There is no way around that. There is no musical skill without constant practice.

The good news is that you get to practice for the rest of your guitar playing life. If you can get into a regular practice routine, all doors to the magic of making music will open. At this point you will actually start to enjoy practicing because this is where you hone your skills. That magic is definatly worth the effort. In the end, making music is really simple....Practice practice practice.

You're not alone! I think every single person who has ever picked up a guitar goes through the same thing. I started playing almost a year ago and remember when my fingertips were so sore I could barely manage 5 minutes! Then the hurdle of getting my fingers on the right strings and the right frets! Transitions from one chord to another seemed impossible. (I won't even get into my struggle with bar chords!) Stick at it! It takes hours and hours and hours of practice to build that muscle memory--and then it happens! One day you will be doing it without even thinking! I still have SO much to learn, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that with time and practice, I can do it. You can, too!

If it was easy, everyone would play guitar! I agree with all the above comments. If you are a normal person, you will have trouble throughout your guitar playing days. That's the fun of it. As you conquer something, you won't be satisfied so you will try something harder. That should be fun.

Beginner guitar playing is like college. If you can make it through the 1st semester, chances are you will make it through the rest of the education process. Don't "stay" frustrated. You can be frustrated at times, but think back why you started playing. You thought it would be enjoyable. It will be.

The one thing that you need to remember besides repititious practicing is- go real, real slow to start with. Make sure that you are changing your chords in the easiest way, making sure that you keep your fingers close to the frets and make the least amount of movements that you can to change. Sometimes you will see that a finger or two does not need to change positions, etc. Then when you get a chord change perfect at a slow speed, slowly pick the speed up. This helps conquer any bad habits that you may develop if you try the changing at faster speeds in the beginning.

Just have fun. Leave the frustration with paying rent, paying taxes or anything else.

Thanks for all of the replys. Its helps to know most people go through this. I'm seeing little bits of improvement and enjoying the process(most of the time).

Hey!

You arn't the only one. I had an awful time with learning to switch chord to chord. So just practice and don't get down about it! I was compaining to some friends about it and they are like 'pracitce practice practice' - sure got tired of hearing that but I finally got it, lol!

Best wishes of success to you!