That was awesome. I am jealous. Keep it up
@Socratesdiedtrolling
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Donāt be jealous Jason, be inspired! 
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Thank you so much, Roger!
I suppose I am pretty comfortable in front of the camera, and in front of a crowd. Iāve done a lot of teaching in my life, which is a performance art of its own!
As far as the shyness while playingā¦ I think youāre partially correct! I am probably a tiny bit shy, but, moreso, it was just concentration. Playing and singing at the same time takes so much concentration! I suppose thatās part of how it gets easier with practice; as more of the guitar part becomes ingrained in oneās brain, itās easier to do it and sing at the same time.
It definitely gives me even more respect for those that sing and play, like the singer/guitarists from bands I like!
Thanks again Roger!
Best Wishes,
Todd
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Thank you, Peter! You are too kind! 
I wanted to get this out there, in part because of Justinās encouragement in the videos to try to perform songs for people, but also so that I can set a baseline. Hopefully, Iāll continue to progress and I can then compare videos and see the changes. That really interests me! Thus far, itās been a really edifying process, learning guitar. Of course, it has its ups and downs. Sometimes, I feel like things come to me really quickly, but, then you hit something that feels much harder (for me, the Dmin chord felt a lot harder than the other five Iāve learned so far, but, itās improving!).
Best Wishes,
Todd
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Hi Jason!
Thank you so much! And, I think youāre totally right. Singing, or at least sort of humming the vocal part when Iām learning these different basic strumming songs really does make itā¦ come together as a song!
As far as singing and playingā¦ do you think itās mostly about just getting more practice in on the guitar? Like, when youāve really reinforced those neural pathways by repeatedly playing, to the point where you can play the song with hardly any thought, thatās when you can finally sing with it easily? I guess, practically, my question isā¦ should I just keep practicing playing the song without singing, so that then it will be easier to play it while singing? Or, do I keep trying to muddle my way through while singing and playing together?
Best Wishes,
Todd
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Thank you, James! Iām really enjoying the practice! Itās really edifying, in its own way.
Best Wishes,
Todd
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Hi Notter!
Thank you so much, man! A few people have commented on consistent strumming, so, I must be doing something right!
Ya know what was tough? A few times I tried doing it with a metronomeā¦ but I kept wanting to go faster than the metronome. I found many tabs and sheet music for this song online that said the tempo should be set at 74. It felt SOOOOOOO slow! So, I finally just did it without the metronome, as I would start going faster than the metronome and then get messed up. I know that practicing with a metronome is importantā¦ and I do like practicing with the practice tracks on the appā¦ but a metronome at 74 on this song just felt sooo slowā¦ but, itās what was written everywhere I looked!
Thanks again!
-Todd
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Hi Nicole!
Thank you so much! You are very kind!
Regarding the songā¦ it does feel like such a simple song, but, I have read that it can be a bit tricky, because the sentences/phrases often donāt line up with the bars. So, maybe it wasnāt the best song to start with? But, we did it! And, frankly, I like Reggae, so, it was sort of a no-brainer for me to pick.
I have been trying to mind my thumb a bit more during practice since reading your comment. Itās hard though, itās like my thumb has a mind of its own.
Best Wishes,
Todd
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Hi Stefan,
Thank you so much! Yeah, strumming, chording, counting, and singingā¦ so much for one brain to concentrate on at once!
Best Wishes,
Todd
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Hi Adrian!
Thank you so much! And, thank you for the encouragement to keep going! Practice, practice, practice! And, so far, I genuinely love the guitar practice, so, I also hope it just keeps going on like that!
Best Wishes,
Todd
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Hi David!
I initially read through all of these comments and gave a blanket thank you, but, now Iām trying to go back and look at each one more deeply. So many comments, and I appreciate them all!
Something you brought up, regarding the camera, I think youāre totally right. Given the small size of my recording space, it may actually be better if I just play while standing. I can probably get a better video that way where my whole guitar is visible. Iāll try that next time!
Best Wishes,
Todd
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Thank you, Eddie! You are so kind! bows
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Thank you, Mark! Youāll get there as well!
Best Wishes!
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Thank you Jason! Thank you for reaching out, you are so kind!
Best Wishes,
Todd
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Very familiar with your comments there Todd, I think everyoneās natural tendency is to be too quick, itās the nerves that seem to do it more than anything. If the right tempo feels slow then really you should be celebrating, youāve got more time for your chord changes!
Definitely a good habit to work with a metronome, but above all playing with the song or a decent backing track is so much more satisfying, you can mentally criticise other member of the band then! 
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Socrates did not die, he is alive and kicking.
What can I say that has not been said ? Well done Todd your passion and enthusiasm bowled me over. Just 6 weeks in singing and playing wow. Well done, I admire your spirit. You remind me of a lad called Trevor on the old forum who posted early doors like you but shone with unbridled passion and energy, Way to go sir, I wish you every success, a pleasure to here you perform.
Cheers
Toby
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Thats was really good for 6 weeks, especially managing to sing at the same time.
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Thanks for putting yourself out there. Encouraging for us beginners. You got it man. Did not notice the extra strums, if any. Youāre going to have so much fun playing that song as time goes by.
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Loved it and congratulations on posting your first video. I havenāt worked up the courage to do it myself yet.
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@catbird55 @BECoop @skinnyt @TheMadman_tobyjenner
Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement! And, Iām glad to be an encouragement to others. If I can do it, you can do it!
Grace and Peace,
Todd
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