New from Melbourne Australia

Hi All,

My name is Craig and I am 50 years old from Melbourne Australia.  I have decided to join here to improve my guitar playing.  I know the open chords, can play a few barre chords and some penatonic patterns, but still consider myself a late stage beginner.  

I have played on and off for years, been a member at multiple sites and youtube channels, but always move around too much and I find I am not progressing and playing the same little riffs and tunes, but never really progressing or learning anything, just year after year no progress and just the same little tunes

All that has made me frustrated and annoyed with myself for wasting so much precious time. So have decided to join here and just stick with this and actually have a structured way to learn

I have started with Fundamentals 1, I could probably skip and know most of it, but figured I may pick up a few things, so will just work through it and learn properly and a structured way

I think having too many options to learn and just jumping around is actually really bad for your progress and playing

I play acoustic guitar only, as I love and prefer the sound and feel of acoustic guitar

I hope to grow and learn a lot here, and hopefully talk to some of you along the journey

All the best to you all in your guitar playing

Craig :)

Hi Craig, 

Brian from Tennessee, USA here.  Sounds like yours and my journey have many similarities, as I consider myself a late stage beginner.  Although I read somewhere if you can do barre chords, you really aren't in the "beginner" category. 

After taking one on one lessons for a couple years I thought I could do it on my own using books and YT.  Found out it is the structure I need.  Like you said, too much jumping around.  That is what lead me here.

I used to get frustrated at my lack of skill and progress.  I made a conscience decision to relax and enjoy the time I spend playing and practicing.  Some days I lack motivation to pick up the guitar.  I have yet to figure out why.  But that doesn't bother me anymore, I just try again the next day.

Cheers!

Hi Brian,

We share a similar journey, I have tried one on one lessons over Zoom, found that hard to do, its better in person, but very few good teachers near me, plus as I am time poor its just easier when I have time to fire up guitar tricks and practice, and I can replay the lessons as much as I want and slow them down etc.  One thing I realised, even if you follow a not so good program online, even that will progress you more than all the jumping around from site to site and starting over again

Many of us me included need the structure so I am just methodically working my way through fundamentals and on from there

Some days I dont play either, I used to beat myself up over it and feel guilty, now I just pick it up the next day as you say.  But the structure helps as you know what you need to work on, instead of just noodling around and learning not much

Good luck with your guitar playing

Hi Craig, and welcome!

We are so glad you’re here with us at Guitar Tricks. This is definitely a great place to be if you are ready to stop picking up little tips and tricks on random videos, and really buckle down, focus, and take your skills to higher levels. 

I totally agree with your comment: “I think having too many options to learn and just jumping around is actually really bad for your progress and playing”. 

As a teacher, I love this. When I work with students individually, I always recommend that we keep the focus streamlined and consistent- rather than jumping from this to that. THAT is how skills really grow - with the repetition and focus on mastering (to the best of your ability) a favorite song or skill or two.

And then, growing onward from there. It is amazing how much ‘learning mileage’ can come from that approach. 

I hope you have a ton of fun here! Be well - Lisa McCormick 

Hi Craig ,

 i'm from Sydney Australia and am 64 years old similar story but it took me a little longer for me to get real with the guitar journey.

i got embarrassed seeing the acoustic guitar in the corner collecting dust. Im just started getting into Fundamentals 1 this week and i find i lean towards the acoustic guitar also the sound and its portability. 

I am finding the resources to learn are very good with this course on-line.

wish you all the best with your guitar journey

Hi Craig

and everyone else. I decided I should learn to play the guitar I bought at 17 - 40 years after I bought it. Now I am 62 about to turn 63. Things don't go easy at this age, even 50 can be challenging. I was hit with arthritis at 48 while I was still racing motorcycles. But we can still learn and enjoy to play or make music. Just take your time and learn a little bit more each practice session. And take your wins when you get them!

Bill