Switched at 38 from structural engineer to software developer, then at 70 decided to retire. Still write software for myself just to keep the cogs up there turning quickly enough.
At 80 I decided to try the guitar to keep the fingers moving. I’ve had an acoustic for years but never actually played it until now. Bought an EastCoast ST2 and AMP which I’m happy with. Early days and still in the spending stage, tuner, cables, metronome and capo but I’ve written my own timer software for practising and made my own plectrums.
As far as music and me, there is basically only R&R. Other than that, it’s mostly just noise. As a youngster it was all starting up with Lonnie Donegan, Everleys, Buddy Holly, Elvis, Eddie Cochrane etc. Then later Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Elton John and a few others including some country and Phil Spector being acceptable. Mind you quite a few duds appeared along the way, Cliff Richard, Sting, Rod Stewart amongst others.
One problem I have with some of Justin’s practice tunes is the stuff from Oasis, Ed Sheeran, Arctic Monkeys and a few others. All of which I have zero knowledge of, or any interest in whatsoever. Basically I’m happy being stuck in the 50s, 60’s and 70s.
After around a month I’m still paddling about in Beginner Grade 1 but I’ve progressed a little and can play the first few bars of Eddie Cochrane’s Summertime Blues, Somethin’ Else and the Bo Diddly beat reasonably well. I’ll keep chipping away. Finding Justin’s website suits me and certainly seems to be the best out of so many. The advice based on his own experience and insights I’ve found particularly helpful, as I knew nothing about the music world beyond the tunes I like.
I thought a bar was where you went for a drink and a capo was some sort of a gangster. I’m learning all the time.
Nice to meet you Vincent, and thats is a great you are playing guitar and keeping busy, I do know you will start to enjoy this community cheers Hec from Newcastle cheers
Haha welcome welcome to the community. Its really layed back and very supportive. There is a plenty of R&B stuff here. You may need to wait until a higher level for a fair amount of many of the blues standards, but there are some easier ones also. In think grade 2 has the ontro to the blues shuffle. But you can have a lot of fun on the journey. I would say learning some of the more modern stuff will give you some practice with skills that will help you get better at the skills you will need to play that R&B real smooth. Ed sheeran is quite the strummer, but not really my type of music either. Lots to be learned opening ones self up to different genres. I am happy you found us here Vincent.
Heya Vincent,
Newbie here too, about a decade behind you, but similar musical tastes (what I’d give to be able to harmonize like the Everly brothers). There’s also lots of stuff on YouTube, including instruction, of older music if the well here runs dry for you.
I’m looking forward to upping my skillset so that I can grow into the blues courses.
Keeps the cogs turning, fingers fretting (but nothing else), and you’ll be set.
As you already know: it is the journey and not the destination…
Thanks for all the welcome messages, much appreciated.
I do think that there will be some things I’ll not be able to do.
For instance, the Peter Gunn theme in Grade1, Module2. There is no way that I will stretch from 2nd fret to 5th on the 6th string with four fingers. Maybe up to the 3rd string in time? Best I can to on the 6th string is 1st finger on the 2nd fret, 2nd and 3rd on the 3rd fret and the 4th finger just about on the 4th fret. I can just about manage to span four frets from the first to third string. I can play the riff reasonably well now but in my own way by shifting fingers up and down the neck. We’ll see if I improve a lot over time. Maybe I’ll surprise myself?
p.s. The Peter Gunn name reminded me of a house we bought many years ago from a couple called Gunn, who didn’t pay to have their post redirected. I then amused myself by returning their post with comments like “The Gunns gone off” and “Gone away, try treasure island”
Hi Vincent welcome I am about 10 yrs younger than you but like you love the music of the 50s 60s 70s and some 80s after that nah, Justin always says play the music you like but using his teachings so if you are learning the A D E chord find a song with them in it a lot of buddy holly songs are quite easy and contain those chords keep plugging away slow and steady wins the race
Hi Vincent, welcome to the community forum. Guitar playing helps to loosen up the fingers and over time you will stretch across 4 frets more easily. I’m about a decade behind you and also focus on songs from the 50, 60s and 70s. There are a lot of those songs in Justins song lessons so have fun.
