Hi all I’ve been practicing for around 9 months now and still struggling with the basics. For example changing chords. G to C especially. Still lay my fingers name 123. and strumming still doesn’t seem to flow nicely 6:8 is just not happening Plus I’m still on the first module1 HELP
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@Sponge72
Lee, your frustration is coming through loud and clear and everyone has frustration with learning and playing at various times.
Do you mean module 1 or grade 1?
RE: fingers 1, 2, 3 and sequential rather than simultaneous landing. I have written advice to help with this in various places. Check this out. The C Chord - #106 by Richard_close2u
Are you able to successfully maintain 4/4 strumming? If yes, then concentrate on that for the time being and learn songs, learn songs, learn songs.
6/8 is a wonderful time signature though much less common that 4/4 so come back to it once you have some fundamentals working and confidently applied to song playing.
Are you able to share some videos of you playing so we can see, hear and analyse?
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Hi thanks for your reply. Sorry I mean grade 1.
Yes I’m fine with 4:4 strumming. Old faithful.
I’ve only ever played Infront of my dog 
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Learning chords and getting fingers to work independently can take some time but 9 months is quite long IMO. You need to do regular daily practice 30 minutes if you can, you don’t say what you have been doing?
I would ask several questions about your approach.
- Have you separated learning a chord shape from trying to play it with other chords and in songs?
By this I mean have you sat there and repeatedly slowly just grabbed say the C chord and then shaken your hand out and then grabbed it again, and done so until it is virtually automatic. You should do this with each chord and then try grabbing one and then another, e.g. grab C and then change to G. Once this is good reverse it - G to C.
- For strumming have you followed Justin’s lesson on this and done it regularly, playing just on beats 1, 2, 3 & 4?
I would recommend you start playing just on the beat a down strum to a metronome initially at 60bpm for 5 minutes a day, just dampen the strings, forget about playing a chord, you can do that later. Do it for 1 minute take a 20 second break and another minute. Once you can hit the beat accurately, increase tempo to 80, then 100, then 120.
I found this very hard to get and still have issues when learning a new strumming pattern. I would highly recommend that you consider Justin’s Strumming SOS course. https://www.justinguitar.com/classes/strumming-sos After many months of struggling with rhythms, strumming and keeping time I got the course and religiously have followed the lessons and practice routines, it has made a huge difference.
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Hello there.
9 months in you say? You’re just starting.
One of the big mistakes beginners make is that they tend to see learning the guitar as something that’s based on a timeshedule.
Like: by month 1, i should be able to do this, by month 2, i should be doing this…
Well, guess what, your brain doesn’t work that way. The progress a player makes, differs for everyone. No player is the same.
Learning how to play the guitar comes with so many different variables, that don’t want to confine to a shedule.
The brain needs to make new pathways, needs to digest new information.
This will take its time.
Worrying about where you are at a certain point in time and comparing that with skills you do or don’t have, doesn’t help.
What does help is this: knowing that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Knowing that having fun playing is THE most important thing you can do/have.
Justin made a wonderfull course for players of all levels, but it didn’t specify time. (not at least that i know).
What i do know is, the more you play/learn, the easier it will become. But again, having fun doing so is, again, THE most important factor here.
So bottom line, have fun, stop worrying. Progress will come, don’t you worry. It just differs for everybody.
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oh, this takes some players quite a while.
Everyone of us has their strengths and more weak fields.
On one hand patience is required. Like praticing things you find hard.
But also try alternate ways if you feel like it. Sometimes giving it a rest for a bit rather than trying very very hard.
Personally I think, getting a Uke and learning a few songs on this is easier and at the same time gives you some help with the guitar.
But a similar thing (making the task easier) is what Justin recommends as eg. strumming with muted strings, just for the rhythm. Even along a song you like (“HIde your love away” for 6/8s eg.) any waltz song (but ok - which is better not too fast, the above is quick, I think)
If for me, anything feels hard but I rate it important, I try to dissect it and train on just bits of the thing, and slower also, and slowly add it together over time.
Sorry for the long writing, I hope there was something in it that made sense to you.
In any case, you found a great guitar teacher in Justin and a nice community over here!
WIshing you good success!
PS.
There’s also a “safe beginner’s space” here. where you could link your video and ask for further advice, if you don’t want to share a video with the whole community.
Thanks for your reply. I need to get back to enjoying my guitar instead of putting pressure on myself
A little pressure doesn’t hurt, but it must not become overwhelming.
It’s good to have goals, but the road towards those goals are different for everybody.
Like you said, getting back to enjoying your guitar is a very good idea.
A wise man once said: it does not matter how slow you go, as long as you do not stop.
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