Down Strokes - Brain Not Working!


peterjohnston887
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Joined: 03/15/20
Posts: 4
peterjohnston887
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Joined: 03/15/20
Posts: 4
03/23/2020 12:20 pm

Hi all.

I've picked up the guitar after being a novice 30 years ago and bizerrely I am doing the same thing again.

I seem to have trouble with down strokes and alternative picking. Up strokes seem a lot easier and natural. What to do??


# 1
john of MT
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Joined: 10/08/09
Posts: 1,536
john of MT
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Joined: 10/08/09
Posts: 1,536
03/23/2020 1:39 pm

Recently, a forum poster pleaded, 'Don't say practice...' But, everyone has to do the time, some (like me) more than others.

For my bad habits (which also date from more than 30 years ago) and new strum patterns and/or fretting I practice slowly. Very slowly. Once I find a slow speed at which I can do the pattern correctly I very slowly increase the speed. It may take days or weeks but the important thing is to build muscle memory doing everything precisely and correctly.

A metronome is important. GT's metronome appeared adequate the last time I looked at it.

Good luck, have fun.


"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
# 2
peterjohnston887
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Joined: 03/15/20
Posts: 4
peterjohnston887
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Joined: 03/15/20
Posts: 4
03/23/2020 3:05 pm

Hiya,

Thanks for that. I don't mind the practice so long as I am heading down the right path )


# 3

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