Just wanted to thank everyone again, this has been very heartwarming to see all the wonderful and kind people urging me on!
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Count me as another later starter - sortof.
I first picked up guitar about 25yrs ago. I had several start/stops because the instruction methods didn’t work for me or for other reasons, and took too long to pick it up again. So the years ticked by.
I’m getting close to 2 years on from my most recent time picking up the guitar, and I think it’s finally going to take. I learned I had to take it even slower at the start because of my club-shaped left hand (figuratively). I found an online lesson that taught the first chords as Em and Asus2. They don’t really make much sense to teach together except that they both use 2 fingers and you just move your hand over 1 string to change between them. THAT was the kickstart I needed to be able to get to the usual A, D, E first 3 chords.
It was a bit before I started playing with single string riffs. That stuff starts dipping into a bit of extra finger dexterity that it might take you awhile to build. I know it did for me. Riffs with 2 strings? It was a LONG time before I got to any of those. Right now I’m actually working a little bit on one. Honey Bee by Tom Petty. The rhythm part plays the same riff on the E and A strings through most of the song, switching to strumming for the chorus. It’s not overly difficult, but getting everything smooth is where the challenge lies.
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Welcome to the community Steve. I started with Justin at age 60 about 7 1/2 years ago. Make sure to have fun!
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Welcome. I am 74 (closer to 75). Fingers aren’t as fast, or fluid, as they used to be. That’s ok. I have viewed lessons from many on-line teachers and the best advice I got was: play every day, even if it’s for only 10 minutes. You need to touch your guitar daily. It’s amazing how just 10 minutes can turn into 20 or 30. Do the JG practice when you can, just be sure to do SOMETHING every day. Some days I just ‘noodle’ through chords and see if any combination sounds sweet to me. For instance, taking a D chord and just keep that shape while going up and down the fretboard. You would be amazed at how many cool chords you can stumble across.
Don’t get frustrated. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
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Hello Steve.
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.
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 |
Hey Steve, and welcome. I just started learning to play guitar about 1.5 years ago. I turn 72 in a few days. Stick with it. It will come. Be patient with yourself and look for all you’re doing correctly instead of focusing on any mistakes you might be making. I’d say that for me, Justin Guitar was the perfect way to learn. It’s at my own pace, and I can review things, or rewind and go back to something I didn’t quite get the first time around. I record myself often, even just practicing, and watch those videos to see what my hands are doing and how I sound. I go back to them from time to time, playing the same thing again to mark my improvement. I would suggest you doing that. On days it gets frustrating, set it aside. No sense trying to force it. It won’t come if you do. It should be an enjoyable experience, not work. It will get there. Give it time. Reward youself for all you do that works, and that makes you smile. Hope you have a great guitar learning journey!
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Hello all. Thanks for the encouragement, it is appreciated! So three weeks later I’m still feeling a bit frustrated. I got up to 30 A to D chord changes once (and to be honest, there were some ones that probably should not count) but regressed back to the mid 20s again. It’s gotten so I am just not interested in practicing every day now. D chord is a mess, here’s a pic. Yes, I forgot to cut my nails this morning but the e string is muted and it just doesn’t look right at all. And that’s as far as I can get my third finger to go on the second string.
I tried doing the song on practice module one on the website and can’t keep up. Then tried the app where you can slow it down and I’m still missing strings or muting even at 60bpm (can’t go slower).
What do you all do when practicing the same things gets to be a chore? I just want to get to a point where I start learning one song but that seems so far away since I can barely play a chord. I know a lot of you have gone though this, how did you push yourself?
I know it’s supposed to be difficult, but was hoping I’d be much further along after almost four months (private lessons plus this site).
Thanks for letting me brain dump all these frustrations!
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Hi Steve, sorry for your continued struggles. I’m not a teacher, but I have been following jUstin’s methods for 3 years.
The easy fix for your third finger problem is the same fix you will use later for other chords. Rotate your hand a little so that the back of your hand is pointing more to the left. Then your third finger should be pointing more of an angle up the neck towards the body of the guitar. That will make it easier for the third finger to stretch out and reach towards that fret. Justin demonstrates how to angle the fingers at 1:00 in the How to Play the D Chord on the Guitar lesson video in module 1.
Also, slide your thumb down more towards the center of the neck. That will make your fingers hit the neck on the fingertips, instead of flat against the neck. Justin recommends that beginners start with the thumb directly behind the nexk even thought it doesn’t feeel as comfortable, because it helps to build the muscles in the hand.
Welcome, Steve. I spent a lot of time poking around You Tube before I found Justin. The level of patience and detail he offers really helped me get started - and keep with it. He’s great at suggesting small goals, as well as long term aspirational concepts that keep me going. I hope you will find the same!
Steve, as for the problems with changing chords I would suggest to look at the How to Use Anchor Fingers lesson video, focusing on 1:30 to 2:30 in the video and practicing with your guitar in your hand. When I mastered using the anchor finger for the D to A to D chord changes, I was able to double the speed of my chord changes.
Also make sure you are counting correctly. From D to A is one change and from A to D is another change. When I first started I counted D to A to D as one change and thought I was going too slow 
If you have any more questions about this it is probably better to put into the community discussion for the grade 1 lessons for D and A chords and perhaps the anchor chord lesson. ‘Then you will have others who are also experiencing the same problem and get good feedback and support.
Hi Steve,
A very belated welcome to the Community 
Sorry to hear you are still struggling with your chord changes and are losing motivation.
After 3 months of private tuition and 4 weeks of Justin, one might expect you to be further on than you are.
My best advice would be to take one last plunge with private lessons, even just a single one, with one of Justin’s approved teachers. @Richard_close2u would be a good start as he has already commented here on your thread.
Good luck with whatever you choose
Hi Steve.
I’ve called back thanks to the tag from @brianlarsen
I’m sorry that you’re still meeting with so much frustration. Chord formation and chord changes are fundamental to playing songs and that is where the fun is at right! So your feelings are understandable.
Kudos for posting a photo of your chord grip. There are definitely physical adjustments you cold make that would help with chord formation. I would want to start by addressing things we can’t see. Your sitting position, the way you hold the guitar, your posture when holding it, the position of the guitar body against yours and the angle of the neck coming away from your body, your shoulder and elbow of your fretting hand … all the way to your wrist, hand and fingers. Every connects and needs to be relaxed and efficient for you. Each of us is different in our physical make up and may need to adapt to make things work. But there are basic approaches to the physical act of playing that we all start from.
Based only on the photo you’ve shared, I agree with some comments already made.
Drop your thumb lower down the back of the neck. Angle the neck up to the ceiling not down to the floor. Move your elbow a little so your wrist can be allowed to rotate and your fingers approach the strings from a more comfortable angle. 3rd finger does need to reach up and over. You do need very short finger nails (you already acknowledged this). Try to bring your little finger up from below and behind so it is alongside the 3rd finger - even though it is not required for this chord, it needs to be ‘available’.
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Richard -
Thanks for the advice and tips. I will try that tonight, was busy the past couple of days. I was trying to take a pic with one hand while using and steadying the guitar with the other so that’s why things could be a bit off from what I normally do. As far as it pointing up, I’ve never been able to do that, it’s always even (not pointing down, so that’s just probably a balance thing with having the camera in the other hand).
I’m also taking it in to the shop where I bought it as I think the strings may be too high, don’t know how to measure that but I feel I’m needing to press down too much, not sure.
Hi Steve - Yes, I do the anchor finger practice and count correctly D to A is one and then A to D is one. Always good to get advice to make sure I am doing it correctly though, appreciate it!
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Hey Steve - Sorry, I don’t know what you mean by rotating so I’m pointing more to the left. I also think that my thumb is higher as I needed it to hold the guitar better while taking the picture with my other hand, I’ll check tonight.
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Hi Brian -
I have to admit that it’s quite discouraging to hear that I should be better, sigh. I’ve already spent a lot on this venture, but will think about another local teacher. Unsure how I’d do with a video lesson if they can’t be there to physically correct me. Something to think about.
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Hi Steve, I thought that my description might be hard to follow or understand. That is why I included a link to the lesson on the D chord and noted that Justin explains what I am trying to say at 1 minute in the video lesson.
I think your plan to take your guitar in to the adjust the height of your strings is a good idea.
You also might want to try a lighter or thinner set of strings for your guitar
Every one of us learns at our own rate (which itself varies over time), so don’t be discouraged. I will never be a ‘good’ guitarist, but am fine with that, as I’m really enjoying it.
My comment was based on the fact that you have already invested time and money and are feeling frustrated.
I was more suggesting a one-off lesson with one of the JG-approved teachers who are familar with the course structure and who might be able guide you as to how to get the most out of your journey. (You can always continue if you find them useful).
The bottom line is if you are not enjoying the process, esp. if you don’t feel you’re progressing, you will not continue.
Good luck!
Steve, one last bit of advice. I noticed that you had trouble playing with the playalong song in the practice module on the website. I assume that is the “Dance the Night Away” song lesson. You can slow down the lesson a lot by selecting the “Gear” icon at the bottom right of the screen (between CC and YouTube} and select “Playing Speed” and choose 0.75 or even better 0.5 and the video will run at half speed. Just strum when Justin strums in the video, but there is no need to try to keep up with faster strumming patterns
That’s funny, I totally forgot you could slow down a YouTube video. I thought the app would helpful, but since it’s not synced with the website (I knew that) and the practice mode never goes to the next session I probably won’t renew. I do like how you can do the songs with the band and slow the bpm down though.
Thanks for reminding about that feature though. The simple things…
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