off duty RN

Hi everyone, glad to be here. I just started learning a few months ago, right before my 60th birthday. Working 12 hr shifts, I have lots of days off, and few places to go, so this is a great new hobby. Trying really hard to get my fingers to do those chords without accidentally hitting into a nearby string, and finding that to be very challenging! I'm also very confused about all the different versions of each chord, and it seems like a lot to remember. Hoping that with practice, it will become easier.

Welcome! That's great you've picked up the guitar!

I started learning last July and recall that learning songs with just two or three chords was very helpful in the beginning. Sure, I would drill myself on the chord shapes over and over but I didn't really start committing them to memory until I started playing actual songs. Lisa has a lot of these embedded into the funadmentals lessons and there are a lot of online rescources and books you can find that just use three chords. Just an idea!

Maybe someone else can help on how to not hit the other strings. That may just be something that comes with practice. You can also try doing a search in the forum for anyone else who may have had the same problem.

You are on the right track....All those chords will come to serve you if you can keep up a routine of consistant practice over time. You will learn them all along the way. Don't let the scope and depth of music put you off. If you practice, over time, these daunting chords and theory, and even the challanging fretboard gymnastics... All of Them... will become your friends.

At this point I would suggest that you just trust in Lisa's lessons and practice. That really will get you off to a good start. The rest will follow. Even those fingers that don't yet know how to make clear chords. Keep practicing and THE REST WILL FOLLOW.

The people who are musicians owe that status to the fact they enjoyed endless practice. They enjoy it because they know practice pays. It will get easier and a lot more fun, as long as you enjoy picking up your ax frequently and making noise. The more you do... the better it gets.

When you need help, this Forum can be a fantastic resource. On this page you have the attention of every kind of musician from beginners to real masters of their craft. There is even a professional Luthier on the staff, if you have technical guitar questions. You can find a lot of good help here. But figure out how to enjoy practicing and the rest is all down hill. Enjoy the ride

Originally Posted by: snojones

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When you need help, this Forum can be a fantastic resource. On this page you have the attention of every kind of musician from beginners to real masters of their craft. There is even a professional Luthier on the staff, if you have technical guitar questions. You can find a lot of good help here. But figure out how to enjoy practicing and the rest is all down hill. Enjoy the ride

@rnrosi, from a fellow healthcare worker (retired) welcome to you. You have found a tremendous source to guide your guitar learning. I hope that you will keep us posted on your progress.

And I will second what snojone offered. This forum is an excellent source of knowledge, support and encouragement. Anytime you have a question or get frustrated, post here. When you do the instructors here are always quick to answer. And fellow students, who may have only slightly longer learning curves, are quick to answer if they have experienced your concern.

Originally Posted by: rnrosi

I'm also very confused about all the different versions of each chord, and it seems like a lot to remember. Hoping that with practice, it will become easier.

What others have said here is true and worth factoring in to your thoughts.

I'd just add to the convo regarding the chord confusion; don't get too worried about the different versions. The 'why' of the different versions eventully comes to makes sense but in reality, as a beginner, just focus on getting the G, C, D, A and E down. Do so by following the fubndementals courses and use the figures by the instructors. This will be a good basis and serve you throughout your playing for as long you play the instrument. These basic 'cowboy' chords are the most common throughout most modern popular music (rock, pop, country, blues etc).

The only thing I would add; different configurations of chords are really about 'flavor'. Some configurations get you different feels or vibes from happy to sad to angry to whatever. But really, it's a matter of removing a finger here and adding a finger there. To be honest, even when I didn't have even a decent idea of chords and intervals etc (and I ain't even that great now), I messed around with different chord voicing just by messing around. Things like adding a 9th or a 7th and so on make a little more sense but it's just placing your fingers somewhere. In the end though, there nothing that stops you from messing around with the chords you've learned.

Just don't get stuck thinking you have to learn all of the chords, all the different versions of chords and what it means right now, that all comes with time and even then, it's just information. The real magic is hearing differences and what works to create a vibe or not. Then you can understand why certain chord configurations work one way or another.

In short, don't sweat it.

Thanks all for some great advice! I have thoroughly read every one of your comments and really take it all to heart! I have a tendency to overanalyze the why and how of everything, so for now I will keep reminding myself to trust in consistent practice, and to try to just enjoy the lesson at hand,

Hello,

I'm a retired RN due to a stroke. I'm looking for a practice buddy. I play piano but the guitar is not instant gratification. I still have to stop to change chords. Which at this time I'm learning the power chords in GC 1.

Thanks

Marketa