Hi Stuart, welcome to the community forum. I learned with the Beginner course book and the classic lessons (when I was learning it was the only lessons), Then I started at the beginning with the new updated lessons. Grades 1 and 2 in the correct website lessons covers all of the classic 9 stages of the beginner course. Grade 3 is now all new lessons. Be patient and practice a little each day and it will eventually get easier and less painful.
Hello Stu. Welcome to JustinGuitar and this fantastic community. Please take your time to look around and get to know the wider space.
https://community.justinguitar.com/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.
Richard