Originally Posted by: cfeliz70

Hello community,

I'm a 48yr old begginer. Never took a music class of any sort ever in my life. Started guitar on April 1st, 2019 in a once a week group class that will soon end. I will begin the Level 1 Guitar Fundamentals course right after that ends at begining of June.

I am interested in really focusing my attention on learning chords, the fretboard and maybe dip into the begining of scales.

My question is How would you submerse yourself in learning these things if you had 4 weeks where you didn't have to work?

How would you structure a practice schedule for your day?

Would it be wise to just focus the entire time on learning chords?

Would it be a good idea to focus on a couple of things at different times of the day as if i were in school (chords in the morning, fretboard in the afternoon, scales at night)?

I'm interested and open to hearing ideas and view points as I start out on my journey as a guitar player.

Thank you,

Carlos

If you're reasonably confortable with ergonomics (how to hold the guitar) and tuning, start with Fundementals 1, Chapter 2. If that's too easy, you'll zip through it quickly. But it builds forward to the next chapters of chords, chords structure and melodies etc.

It is the foundation of playing. I would say be far less concerned with scales for now (for now). If you understand chord structures (like what is the root versus the fifth, for example), this will matter in the furure. Once you know that stuff, it very much helps apply knowledge to scales and how to use them when you're crossing that bridge.

Trust me on this. I've been playing playing for 35+ years and skipped all that stuff early on and it is much harder to go back to the roots when you (think) you already know something...and don't. Know it from the start. Like a house, the foundation comes first.

Also, chords and rhythm is a huge help in timing for other parts of playing that come later. Being a good rhythm player is fundemental to good lead playing.

How should you practice? As much as you and your body allow it. First of all, it's not drudgery. It's fun. Never play to the point that you hurt yourself or to the point where you don't enjoy it..even when it feel like work...so long as it seems like fun work. That part is up to you personally but if you enjoy it and you're not killing your fingers..play as much as you can get away with.