A Little Frustrated With Simple Moves

I played some guitar many years ago and just recently (3 months go) I decided to get back into it.

I took it up on myself to start from the basics so started by using the Fundamentals Course available here.

One thing I am finding irritating, is that I play some of the examples quite often and I practice most days. I can play a piece perfectly from one day to the next.. then .. ooopsss on occasion my fingers are not findind the notes on the fretboard.

I know where they are, I know what I am supposed to do, my brain works well .. but the fingers miss.... most of the time they find the correct string on the correct fret... just ... i dont know.. they dont quite hit it on the mark!

Is this something that will pass??... it is quite annoying knowing that I can do it (and I am doing it) ... but I am not doing it all of the time... still mistakes creeping in!!!

Hi Chris

feel your pain, hopefully this vid I recorded shows you are not alone in this

Chris

Thank you so so much for an answer I never expected... I really appreciate the effort for you explaining things out...

Believe me.. I aint quitting... I love the challenge.. it is just sometimes good to know what I am doing wrong and if people share the same issues.

I followed your youtube channel ... and I hope we can stay in contact and help each other out.

[br]Awesome my friend.. and once again .. I am truly grateful for your time!

Chris

Glad I could help Chris, I find its a great community here of people helping people

Originally Posted by: William MG

Hi Chris

feel your pain, hopefully this vid I recorded shows you are not alone in this

Chris

Brilliant response William. That'a great video and it helped me also.

Thanks a lot.

Joe

Thanks Joe, glad it was useful.

Hi,

Fellow sufferer here. My experience is this:

1) complacency. The minute I think I can play something without giving 100% focus I mess up.

2) running before I can walk. I'm really quite a poor player, which is undoubtedly not helped be learning 4 & 5 star songs. I've done very few lessons and tend to go straight to learning songs, as that's just more fun for me. As a result I make a fair few mistakes.

3) fear. I can change chords reasonably well, but due to the shape of my fingers I have difficulty with a couple of what are probably easy chords for most. Em7 (0-2-2-0-3-3) is the one that springs to mind. I hate that chord and when I know it's coming up I get apprehensive and usually mess it up.

I've taken comfort from the fact that even really good, professional players make mistakes. There's even a blunder by one of the instructors on this site, which is nice :) I also watch a lot of Rick Beato on YouTube, and he was asking Misha Mansoor to show him a bit of one of his songs. He messed it up quite badly and told Rick that he'd need to put some practice in. These things show me that our instrument isn't easy and we shouldn't be harsh on ourselves, especially at the level we're playing at.

I admit it is fun to learn some of the songs we like as that can keep us engaged and make the experience more enjoyable. It is important to get the basics down first in my opinion though, as much as some people try to avoid them.

The chord changes I do not have so many problems with. OK.. sometimes I know I could do it better.. but I do not have problems the way I do when I am trying to hit single notes...

The chord progessions I actually quite like....

It is not easy... and I guess if it was everyone would be able to play.... lets keep at it.. and get on top of it :)

Thanks for your response

Chris

I have found that the key to making less mistakes is to relax more when practicing and playing.

Tension in the body, particularly in the fretting hand and fingers, reduces youir ability to move and play freely. Then the mistakes pile up.

For myself, I do not always find this easy. ( Easier said than done). Particularly if I'm feeling frustrated.

Joe

Good topic, Chris. Great video response, William! In high school I played flute and in college I played piano. After many, many year of not playing an instrument I am playing with guitar. There is definitely a "sweet spot" you find between your hands and mind, and what you are thinking and feeling when you play an instrument. It is similar to sports and dance. Some days it comes easy and other days it simply doesn't. Joe's comment about making an effort to relax is excellent. Tension builds fast and is not noticeable--especially when we are trying hard. One of the things I like to do when I practice is pick a few chords and play the first chord slowly to a count of four. Then I let go of the chord, relax with the pick, and say to my hands "relax". Then I move to the second chord and repeat. I like to have fun with it.

cm

Great advice and it is something I will take on board when I am practicing.

[br]Thanks so much for your reply and experience.

[br]I appreciate it from both of you :)

[br]Chris

there is a bit of irony here. When you first learn guitar, it is your brain that leads the way. However as you develop skill it is a direct result of developing muscle memory. Muscle memory is where the mechanics of music take place.

I had an experience where I didn't play for decades due to physical problems with my arms. I finally got insurance and got several years of PT. Slowly my arms healed and I started playing guitar again.

I tend to play original music and don't really know a lot of music that I didn't write. The amazing thing was that all the screwy weird jazz chords that I had incorprated into my music were a complete mystery to me when I started playing again. I had written down the names of those chords but could not picture them clearly. But if I just kept repeating the small parts my brain could remember my fingers would jump to those jazz chords on their own. That had nothing to do with my brain and everything to do with muscle memory. As a result I have way more faith in muscle memory than in mental memory.

So though you spend tedious hours working to develop muscle memory, in the long run that memory is vastly superior to your brain. It is also the key to not flubbing parts of the music you are playing. Once your muscle memory kicks in things get easier. Keep at it and don't physical frustration stop you. The process may be tedious. but your are building deep skill that will serve your now and for years to come.

I am there with you. Somedays are better than others. Hang in there(I am telling myself as much as you). With this forum, people will always have reassurance and tips.

Plus, i will be watching that video

Jon