176 replies to this topic

[Kirk Lorange]

seagull said:

I would say the hardest part of playing guitar is staying motivated, and moving forward.

That's what this site is for, seagull, to keep you motivated ...

[breezeblock]

So far, the hardest part has been playing a barred "F" and making it sound properly. )

[clivealex]

I learned to play many years ago, but I havent palyed for about 15 years. I recently bought a 12 string so I'm having to learn all over again. The muscle memory is still there, but the timing is gone. Oh well, practice,practice

[clivealex]

breezeblock said:

So far, the hardest part has been playing a barred "F" and making it sound properly. )

Don't even mention barred chords. My fingers just don't want to know

[Korn-maniac]

Keeping in time

[tg]

I find the worst problem is that I practice for hours but cant remember what Iv`e learnt without the dots. Probably age !!!

[divina_1208]

for newbies like me,,,, the hardest thing in playing the guitar is strumming..

i really hav difficulty strumming the string....

[Clancy]

divina_1208 said:

for newbies like me,,,, the hardest thing in playing the guitar is strumming..

i really hav difficulty strumming the string....

Divina, if you're having trouble with strumming, you might find this lesson helpful.

Cheers

Clancy

[PickNGrin]

The truth is --it's different for different people. I dont recall ever having trouble with strumming or keeping time...But there was a time when I just could'nt imagine playing barre chords.
Most learners that I've helped really struggle to keep the beat -'specially when changing chords.

[lemonwolf2]

Get a metronome and use it. The foot tapping has to be a secondary thing because you're right - you can't concentrate on 2 things at the same time. Keep working at it and before you know it your foot will be thumping out the beat and you won't even be aware of it. I find that my foot just automatically taps out the beat but if I get to a section of the song that requires that I focus heavily on something else I find that often my foot stops tapping and then starts up again when that part of the tune is behind me and that works just fine too (for me anyway). The metronome is an indispensible tool though - it's a pain to get used to but the rewards are tremendous. Hope this helps you on your journey. Good luck lemonwolf2

[PickNGrin]

I agree with the foot tapping comment above -geez --my WHOLE BODY moves to the rythem, sometimes it's pretty goofy looking.

[divina_1208]

thanks clancy,,,, your such a great help and also to neilsonite:)... and also to this site...

now i can strum a little bit,, i mean i can now even play, but not the whole song of "leaving on the jetplane (by: John Denver)":) m/

again, thank you so much:)

[Clancy]

Divina, I'm very happy for you. Neilsonite's strumming lessons ARE great... So glad you are now finding your way around the site and that it's helping you along on your guitar playing journey

Clancy

[lemonwolf2]

PickNGrin said:

I agree with the foot tapping comment above -geez --my WHOLE BODY moves to the rythem, sometimes it's pretty goofy looking.

Hey PickNGrin
I wouldn't worry too much about the body movements (unless they interfere with your playing). You've got to let the music move you - right? I've seen some pretty spastic movements from guitar players but if the performer is being natural then it doesn't seem to detract from the performance. The only habit that I DO find distracting is the "mouth hanging open and the eyes staring off into space somewhere". Kind of like a lobotomy patient. I've never seen a professional do this - only beginners and intermediates. I do it myself sometimes but usually catch myself before I start looking like a complete zombie.
Anybody else have any pet peeves as to what constitutes "goofy looking" guitar playing habits?

[lemonwolf2]

I keep the guitar tucked away in a little cubbyhole near the sofa so every time I sit down to watch a little mindlesss TV I pick it up and pluck away. Sometime that amounts to 10 min a day, sometimes it I'm there for hours and occasionally I don't get there at all. Although I don't have a structured practice routine I usually get to pick up the guitar on a daily basis.

[gothika66698]

I think that it is learning to read talature with all the different letters in if you are a newbie like me , can anyone help and tell me what the letters mean please?

[Jason]

Kirk said:

That's what this site is for, seagull, to keep you motivated ...

You know of what you speak Kirk. This site continues to renew my love for playing with every lesson I learn and all the great stuff other members post.

I especially enjoy the recording booth and music lounge.

[allthumbs]

gothika66698 said:

I think that it is learning to read talature with all the different letters in if you are a newbie like me , can anyone help and tell me what the letters mean please?

Kirk has posted lessons on tab reading. Check out the read me first directory at the top of the page. It should be in there.

[jasoncohen]

i think the hardest thing about playing guitar for when you are first starting out is your finger dexterity and being coordinated and in sync with the right and left hands.

[Jean]

jasoncohen said:

i think the hardest thing about playing guitar for when you are first starting out is your finger dexterity and being coordinated and in sync with the right and left hands.

Very true at first for a beginner, but over time the two hands seem to be one.