Hello everyone,
I just started Justin’s Beginner Grade 2 after playing through Grade 1 relatively quickly, and I definitely need to repeat and review some things (I was just very curious about everything new that was to come 
).
Now I think wouldn’t it be nice to have a guitar buddy 
at a similar level with whom I could share my progress and questions and would anyone of you perhaps like to accompany me on my exciting new learning journey?
Have a great weekend, everyone, and musical greetings from Germany.
2 Likes
Hi Linea,
great to read you’re enjoying your progress so far and want to share the joy with a guitar buddy! This is a very reasonable thing to do, but also incredibly fun and rewarding! It definitely will also help to keep you engaged. 
Just a few questions for others that also might be interested: Do you want to have a buddy only online or also in real life? In the latter case, it would be helpful to know where in Germany you are at least approximately. 
Also, it’s definitely no harm having a player slightly below your level or also above your level, because you always will learn something from one another. I just mention this, so that you don’t limit your options too much. Even more accomplished folks can always learn something when playing with someone who is more in the early times of playing. For me, it makes me super aware of things where maybe a bad habit crept in that I want to fix or noticing I’m not that solid with certain strumming patterns.
In any case, I hope for you to find someone to share your guitar journey with. Feel free to reach out to me in case you want to, but given your description, I definitely are a little further ahead (Grade 4 and currently joined BLIM class 4), though. ^^
Have fun learning and sorry for the wall of text.
Cheers - Lisa
1 Like
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for your reply.
Since I learn best on my own and tend to have difficulty adapting to the tempo and strumming patterns in a group, I prefer an online buddy, which also expands my search area for a potential buddy.
You’re already at Grade 4, congratulations!
Yes, when I have any questions, I’ll be happy to contact you, thank you.
Best regards, and I love your wall of text 
.
Linea.
1 Like
I would argue that this is actually a really solid case for having someone (or even a small group) to play with in person so you can work on your weaknesses.
Do you try to play along with original recordings? Do you have a metronome and/or drum machine yet? I find the drum machine especially helpful, because keeping up with more complex drumming takes practice, too.
I spent a lot of time in the past year working on those exact things and I found a couple local groups to play with. It helped me a lot, though I still get frustrated with group settings like that. At this point, my frustrations stem less from my own (lack of) skill, but rather general group dynamics issues.
I think this year I’m going to work on starting a small jam group at my house. I already know a handful of people who play instruments. My wife has definitely been looking for more excuses to buy more percussion instruments. We have a few but she’s been wanting things like a cajon, too.
Hi Nate,
group situations really aren’t for me yet. I’m currently still in an Ukulele group, and I’m mostly frustrated by my own inability to keep up with the pace. As I said, I’ve only just finished beginner level one on the guitar, so I still have a lot of practising to do before I feel confident enough to join a guitargroup but it would be nice to have an other beginner buddy to talk to about problems or progress.
For you and your wife I wish you lots of fun buying new instruments and starting your own group .
Best regards from Linea 
.
How are you expecting to interact with an online buddy?
I ask because, whilst it can be done, it’s got a bunch of “gotchas” which may dent your expectations.
The main issue is latency: communicating across the Internet has latency, and most of the common tools that people use for Internet communication increase that latency a lot.
So, if you were looking to use Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc. then you will NOT be able to play together in real time.
You can, of course, use these tools to discuss progress, and take it in turns playing whilst others listen, but I suspect this is not what you are intending, given you said:
So, if your aim is for a “support buddy” rather than someone to play songs along with, then this is an option. Although, in this case, I would suggest a small group is better. And, as you won’t be playing along with them, trying to adapt to the tempo and strumming pattens wouldn’t be relevant.
But if you want to play along with your guitar learning buddy, then you are either going to find someone you can meet with in person, or look at specialist online jamming tools like Jamulus or Sonobus, etc.
Bear in mind they can be tricky to set up (you will need an audio interface, headphones, and a microphone as a minimum, and they don’t work well over wifi) and they still suffer from a bit of latency which makes them less than ideal.
Cheers,
Keith
Hi Linea,
herzlich willkommen in der Gitarrencommunity!
I’m also a beginner in Module 13 at the moment and have decided to review and consolidate Grade 2 this year. So if you’re looking for someone to casually exchange experiences at Grade 2 level, I’m your man
Greetings from Duisburg
Withold
2 Likes
Hi Withold,
you’re way ahead of me. I saw your learning log. Why do you want to go back to grade 2? Are we talking about the same grade? Really grade 2?
I’ve only had my guitar for a few weeks and I’m a complete beginner, so I’m all the more delighted that you want to accompany me on my guitar journey. Thank you.
I’m currently practising the E minor open pentatonic scale and struggling with the F chord.
Have a good start to the new week, best regards,
Linea
1 Like
Hi Keith,
Thank you for all your thoughts. You are certainly right about many things and I will have to find my own way eventually.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
Best regards,
Linea
Not really, we are both at the same grade 2 and I would be just as happy to have a buddy on my journey. In Grade 2 you learn many great things. My plan for this year is to slowly go through Level 2 again with all the videos and exercises. I’m in no hurry; I’m enjoying the songs in Level 2.
You don’t say!
I wish you a wonderful week too and look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers
Withold