Hi folks! I’m Brian and I’ve just started the course. I started on the 16th of Feb and I’m doing 15 minutes a day everyday and I’m currently just over 4 hours into Module 1. My fingers tips are starting to toughen up a bit and I’m finding it to be less painful. Of the two chords covered I’m find the D to be the hardest, mainly because I’m not able to stretch the 3rd finger as much as Justin suggests. I find changing from D to A is a bit easier than the reverse. I never thought learning to play (or should i say create sound) would be easy but sometimes when the note isn’t ringing out as it should i do feel ‘mildly’ irritated. Anyway, we all have to start from somewhere and If by the end of the year I’m able to play something like, I wanna Hold your Hand I will consider it a triumph! Finally Justin has created a great learning platform and I just want to say keep it rollin, we appreciate it.
Hello Brian, and welcome! Glad to read you are enjoying the course. As for the D chord and the reach needed: although it might seem so, you don’t need a lot of reach to play the D. If you can’t seem to get your third finger to stretch far enough, look at the position of your hand. You’re probably holding your hand too vertical, with the fingers pointing upwards, while you should slant your fingers more towards the body of your guitar. Try it out, you’ll see that this will massively enhance your reach.
I tired this last night and it did make a big difference! Thank you so much!
Welcome aboard Brian… 
or is that ‘Brain’? 
Personally, I regard these terms as synonymous 
Brian
Welcome to the community Brian!
Welcome to the community Brian.
Best, Ian
@BrianB_63 Be sure to record yourself so you can see your entire guitar, both hands, and face. It’ll tell a lot about what you’re doing. Listen and watch what you’re doing in the replay. Save it and refer back to it over time and you’ll see amazing improvement. That D shape chord will be very useful down the road as it’s very movable all over the guitar neck. Post a video of you making slow changes from D to A many times over and post it here too. You’ll get great feedback. We all have certain chords that give us fits while learning them. Then one day, poof, what was all that fuss about? Keep at it. It’ll come.
Thanks guys, glad to be aboard. I’m looking forward to this journey and hopefully I can touch base with you all from time to time.
That’s great advice thanks. I was toying with the idea of recording myself to provide a point of reference. Being able to look back in a few months and compare where I am will be the litmus test.
For those of you who started with zero experience, did you find that 15 minutes a day to be beneficial? I haven’t arrived at the first module 1 practice routine yet, I watch the vids then spend a bit of time working on that particular item which I’ll do for 15 minutes or more. Starting a complete neophyte was 15 minutes ok ? I’m trying to be pretty rigid about the course and not rush.
Practice what you need to work on, and as often/as much as you can, so long as you enjoy it and it doesn’t become an effort. Review material too. Watching those old recordings of yourself will high light your progress.
Hello Brian & Welcome!!!
Consistency in practice is one of the keys… if you find 15 minutes works for you… that’s great! Try to pick up the guitar daily & progress will happen!
I suggest keeping the guitar on a stand or wall hanger… then when you have a few minutes while waiting for something, like the coffee 
to brew, pick up the guitar & practice your d -a & back changes (or equivalent)… I get practice in when my wife tells me “I’ll be ready to go in 5 minutes!” … that’s usually about a15-20 minute practice session!!!
Good luck along your guitar Journey & remember to always keep it Fun!!!
Tod from New Mexico
Hi Tod,
I started on Feb 16 and I’ve done 15 minutes everyday without fail. In real terms to this point it’s just been over 4 hours of guitar time. My goal is to build a strong enough base so that I can play a few songs competently and have a strong enough foundation from which I can learn new songs without too much effort.
Hi Brian, welcome to the community.
Welcome!
Hi Brian and welcome to our Community! I do understand when you say
I guess getting irritated by the sound you produce is a common challenge for most beginners! I learnt to have a good laugh at my own self while keep going learning and always aiming to improve…and also to be delighted by those few notes that sounded sweet!
Thank you silvia, I have had those moments when my fingers are perfectly placed, I strum and the beautiful sound assails my ears and at that moment the smile on my face is unmatched! I will keep at it. Once I discover something that I like I stick with it, I don’t view it as ‘fun’ as such because I’m very serious about improving, my satisfaction will come from the progress that I make.
Hi, Brian! 
It sounds like you’re off to a great start and have the right mindset. Fifteen minutes a day is the perfect pace for building finger strength and flexibility, and the fact that you already feel your “fingertips coming alive” is a very good sign.
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 - of which I am privileged to be one.
We also host regular (virtual) JustinGuitar Community Open Mic events for community members.
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 / Moderator |
