Hi everyone! I am happy to be here and to see so many others.
I took lessons when I was 12 or 13 years old for a few months and then stopped. Big mistake I’m trying to fix that now almost 40 years later. I have been following the app for a month now and feel like I’m actually getting somewhere. It took a month to get to to Module 4 and I’m staying there until I get my chord changes solid at least 30 a minute between any of them, and have some decent strumming going on, then I’ll continue to 5. No rush.
I haven’t used the website much but I know there are some useful tools on it and would love suggestions to improve. Strumming (and Dm) is my nemesis right now. I can follow a strumming pattern but the minute I try to count it out out loud I fully lose it.
I’m using a Yamaha FS830 (it’s very pretty) and I have not had it set up since I bought it used but that’s on my list of things to do next month. Are there any suggestions on string types/gauge or setup instructions that would help a beginner?
Thank you everyone and once again, glad to be here!
Sorry Brian reading on, you will get lots of advice here on the community I set up guitars and build them and there are a few more here so you will get all the help you need no problems at all cheers again just shout out my friend
Hi Brian ,
Welcome here and I wish you a lot of fun
If it is any help, I can play rhythm guitar quite well, but I have never been able to get used to counting … in the beginning with complicated patterns where it really captures the soul of the song, I often do very slowly Ups and Down in my head, etc…but very soon that is not necessary when practice
Try it and don’t give up too quickly, but don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the hang of counting… listen to the music (and this song which I’m good at rhythm guitar by the way )
Welcome to the community. I started when I was 53 after dreaming about it for years. Now, 13 years later, so glad I did. The reward is awesome. Look forward to hearing more from you
I am glad you found the community. Lots of support on here and it is filled with cool people. Post away with questions or commnets.
There is a ton of stuff on the website. Its easy to miss things. One of my favorite things is the practice assistant. For me its very helpful for organizing my prsctice and keeping up. . Keep up the strong work.
My standard suggestion: have light strings put on the guitar. Playing with 10s instead of the standard 12s is a lot easier. Don’t let anybody tell you that 10s don’t sound as good: you will play better and therefore sound better with 10s.
Hi Brian and welcome! If you want to improve your strumming and chord changes then I highly recommend Justin’s Song App. It’s fun to use while being tremendously helpful!
Hi Brian, welcome to the community forum. I would look at the website page for each of the lessons either before or after you view in the app. Look at the summary page that sometimes has the chord diagrams and sometime the tab for the riffs. Also look at the discussion for the lesson. Also look at the grade 1 song lessons on the website. Have fun learning new songs.
Hi Brian
Welcome to JustinGuitar and this fantastic community. Please take your time to look around and get to know the wider space. View by Categories.
We are a supportive and encouraging group of students and guitarists from across the world. Essentially, we are all here for music and to improve as players. We truly are a ‘community’. Members help and support one another and a friendly, positive attitude underpins this. We hope that all - young or old, experienced or new players - adopt and foster the pay-it-forward ethos that Justin personifies and embedded all those years ago when he started the website and forum.
Also, please make sure to read the Community Etiquette announcement for some important information and guidance.
If you want to record yourself to show your progress and / or seek feedback there is our ever popular Community Recordings section.
Behind the scenes there is a small and dedicated team who work to make the JustinGuitar experience as good as it can be. Check out the Onboarding sessions provided by Fanny. Justin also has a small group of Approved Teachers he recommends for people wanting 1-to-1 lessons to supplement his courses.
That is plenty to be going on with. It is a vast community space so if you need help as you find your way around just ask.
Cheers. Richard
| Approved Teacher, Official Guide & Community Moderator |
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and encouragement!
I just got my guitar back from getting a setup and it sounds like a completely different guitar.
I appreciate the pointers and I’ll just keep working on it. I’m incorporating more website to go along with the app and I think that helps. Especially the metronome and strumming machine.
I also keep discovering more tools and instruction here and there, like the video lesson links that accompany songs.
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