I checked out a few other beginner learning logs on here and found it helpful in assessing my own progress and some of the things I need to focus on. I’ve also found Justin’s Nitsuj video logs really helpful as well.
From October 2022 - December 2022 I did the first 4 modules of Grade 1. I recorded a full practice session once per module when I was a few practices in and edited some of the footage together here in this video. Apologies for the video and sound quality - I just recorded on Zoom using my webcam and built in mic.
Thanks for the support you all provide! Any comments or tips are welcome!
I like the production value that you put into that intro card, and the editing!
I think this is a good idea, recording a practice session. I like the idea of doing a progress recording; I did one rather early on, but, I don’t know what to record! Just recording a regular practice makes a whole lot of sense.
I was lucky enough to be gifted a one-on-one web lesson with Justin, and that was one of his tips, self-recording, maybe monthly or so. Since we are practicing on our own without a teacher to watch us, we need to watch ourselves.
Oh nice! I feel like I know Justin really well as I’ve spent so much time with him on his recorded videos. - the virtual world is pretty crazy sometimes. This platform and community is one of the great things about the internet age.
Thanks I actually created the graphic for the intro card with a free online photoshop called “Photopea” from a simple sketch that I had worked up. I’ve been trying to improve my skills and creativity in other outlets as well. I used Microsoft ClipChamp for the video editing - there is a free version that comes with most of the modern windows programs I think. It’s pretty user friendly. I might try and get some better quality footage in the future… maybe when my playing is better quality
What a fantastic idea. I wished I had done the same when I first started. Just think how wonderful it’s going to be looking back and see how much progress you have made. What a great start you have made.
Great idea to make videos to check your own progress. And your consolidated video showed the steady progress from start to finish.
On the video, maybe go over to #gear-tools-talk:hardware-software-recroding and look at Topics about OBS. It is a free to use app and you may find you can get better audio quality with your webcam using OBS rather than recording Zoom meetings.
I know every home and situation is unique. However, if possible I’d suggest an appropriate chair rather than sitting on the edge of the bed. I think it will be better for overall posture, the learning process, and help avoid any playing position bad habits.
I noticed every now and then in the video that you seemed to be resting the left forearm on the left leg. This is a bad habit to form and I suggest pay attention if it is happening and actively look to stop that.
Keep on keeping on and look forward to future updates!
Hello Andy, what a great way to start your learning log .
Isn’t the learning progress within those very first months awesome ?!
One year ago, we didn’t have a clue how to correctly hold a guitar, and now we are playing songs - and even try to sing along, as well.
Thanks for sharing your video, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of your progress .
Thanks David! I will definitely check that out to see if I can get some better quality recordings.
I do actually usually use a chair but where I have my webcam setup being on a chair puts me too close to the camera and you can’t see the guitar so I was perching on the bed. Good call on the forearm on the left leg - I think you are right and I do that sometimes. I will try and be more mindful of that!
I appreciate you taking the time and providing the feedback!
What a great idea, be really cool if you carry on with the vlog while you work through Justin’s lessons. You can definitely see that you’re on a good learning path. Great video editing too. I especially liked that you left in a clip of dropping the pick into the sound hole. It’s happened to all of us. Multiple times!
Andy, that was fantastic. What a great way to track your progress, and you can see the advancement in your playing just in that short clip. Stick with it, the fun is really just beginning!
From January 2023 - March 2023 I did the last 3 modules of Grade 1 (modules 5-7). So I’m in the consolidation phase of Grade 1 learning some songs by heart. Definitely still struggling with some of the timing and getting the chord changes at the right times and to ring out nicely. D and C chords - getting all those fingers down in the right places is tough!
I do feel much more comfortable with a guitar now though. It doesn’t feel like such a foreign object. I have been able to learn these 8 open chord shapes and can play them all now and move between them. I am attempting to sing and play at the same time which I enjoy albeit super challenging and pretty awkward at times.
Once I can play these handful of songs I’m learning all the way through from memory I feel I’ll be ready to move on. I plan on checking out the ear training, music theory, and Grade 2 JustinGuitar courses. I’m in no particular rush though and continue to enjoy the journey and learning experience. As always any comments or tips are welcome! Thanks!
Nice update Andy, I really like your format of exercise snippets, gives a real insight for others into the process and variety of things that lead to playing actual songs.
Looks like you’re making terrific progress in the first 3 months, keep at it!
Hey Andy.
Impressed by so many things here. First of all your progress and then how you present it via the videos, which are well edited. Excellent job on both and a wonderful approach you have to it.
I think that approach is the key. A crucial point. Not only Justin emphasize on that again and again, but all guitar teachers I have listened to so far, emphasize on exactly that.
You are a living proof that Justin’s teachings works. Two and a half month from the dates you started 13th January from what I can see. As a beginner myself, it is such an encouragement to watch your progress.
You have without doubt also entered the highway of the guitar journey. That is so cool
That was a cool watch, Andy! Making great progress and it will be so good having these records to look back on down the track. Also, I think you really have the makings of a great singing voice too, you’ll have the full package in no time!
Next step of my learning log. Also going to cross-post to AVOYP section of the community. I spent this period of 3-months (April 2023 - June 2023) practicing playing some songs after finishing the modules in Grade 1 of JG. I learned about 8-songs with the JG song lessons, app, songbook, and some additional YouTube tutorials.
Things I’m still struggling with are clean and fast chord transitions, obviously cleanly picking out the right notes in riffs I’ve been learning, picking fast and in general playing fast enough to keep up with the pace of songs, generally keeping time and the correct rhythym while singing and playing. I’ve also noticed that I’m sometimes hitting the the body of the guitar under the strings on some of my strumming. It’s super noticeable to me now and is annoying me! I think I read on a community thread a while ago someone else was having this problem but I can’t find that thread now.
Things I’m happy with are that I’m pleased with the overall progress I’ve made. I couldn’t even hold a guitar in October! I’ve pushed myself to learn some note picking pieces of songs as well as the strumming. While I find it hard to keep the rhythm of the song while singing it feels more natural now than it did. I’m learning not to be a perfectionist with this stuff as that kills the enjoyment pretty quick! I feel I’ve grown a whole other level of appreciation of music, musicians, and those that play and create music.
I know this is a super long video. The songs are broken up at the following time points. Thank you to anyone that takes the time to check it out!
0:00 Introduction 00:45 “Hey Joe” Jimmi Hendrix 02:58 “Wish you were here” Pink Floyd 06:45 “Times like these” Foo Fighters 08:04 “Black” Pearl Jam 11:17 “Wagon wheel” Old Crow Medicine Show 15:05 “Yellow submarine” The Beatles 16:39 “This year’s love” David Gray 18:40 “Common People” Pulp 20:31 “Pirate looks at 40” Jimmy Buffet - fingerstyle 22:00 “Pirate looks at 40” Jimmy Buffet - easy strum
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve posted anything. But I’ve been following things still and read posts and get fulfillment from this site.
My first year of guitar I was dedicated and had a great practice schedule. I would read posts about people that were struggling to keep up motivation and discipline and wonder what an earth they were on about. lol. Life gets busy and like many others my guitar has spent some time in it’s case and been forgotten about. But I’ve always managed to get it back out and start playing again and had periods of real love with music like I never would have had without picking up and learning guitar at 40- years old.
So here I am at 43 years old now. I’m about 2.5 years into starting guitar. I’ve not really moved fully beyond Justin Guitar Grade 1 - maybe made it half way through Grade 2. But that doesn’t mean I’m not still learning. I struggled with the discipline it takes to get to that next level with barre chords, finger exercises, scales, fingerstyle etc. But I do want to continue on with dedicating time to that.
In the meantime - I’ve really learned a lot about rhythm and timing and playing and singing at the same time which is what gives me joy.
So I’ve kept things simple - and finally got around to recording a few songs. These were recorded over June 2025 when I had some rare alone time in Hawaii dog sitting for a friend who had a guitar sitting out I used - and then in San Diego where I had my guitar on hand for a couple of days.
So here is 5 Kalaheo/SD recordings. I just went for it and tried not to worry about it too much - just one take.
“Wonderwall” - Oasis. I know it’s become a guitar meme of sorts. But I love this song and this band. I’ve messed around with it a bit but finally learned mostly the whole song when Justin came out with his recent revamp of the lesson.
“Lucky Man” - The Verve. Probably my favorite Richard Ashcroft song. I learned this maybe a year ago and was my first time figuring out the strumming of 1/16th notes.
“Green Eyes” - Coldplay. Such a simple and beautiful song. I heard this on a playlist related to “Garden State” soundtrack which I loved back in the day. I heard the guitar on this and was like ooh I might actually be able to learn this. It got me back into guitar after a bunch of time out.
“Mellow Mood” - Bob Marley and the Wailers. I love reggae. I was in Hawaii and this song kept coming into my head. So I looked up how to play it and it seemed so technically out of my league with the reggae rhythm and the barre chords you typically play it with. But Youtube is amazing and I found a couple versions I could follow and while my reggae rhythm and style needs a lot of practice and probably won’t ever be a natural thing for me - I love the old Bob Marley songs - they are pure and beautiful.
“Cool Change” - Little River Band. I heard this song on the end of a podcast I was listening to. I actually fell asleep and woke up to this song at the end and was mind blown. I’d never heard it before that I can remember. Little River Band I think was huge in Australia but not as big in the U.S. Anyway another song that made me want me to pick up the guitar. The original is piano led but it’s pretty much basic open guitar chords and you could probably make it really pretty with some arpeggio.
This is my learning log to track things. But I’m going to cross-post the videos to AVOYP to hopefully get some feedback over there also.
Thanks for reading and listening if you came across this. Much love.
- the virtual world is pretty crazy sometimes. This platform and community is one of the great things about the internet age.
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