Hi! I’m currently working on this module and just realized that that Justin always uses an electric or an acoustic steel string guitar (If I’m not mistaken?) I’m really enjoying the course so far but I’m playing on a classical nylon string guitar. Is it a bad idea to follow this course on a nylon string or can you use it the same way as a steel string? I’m mostly thinking about strumming and using a pick, as I’ve heard that it might not be good to use a pick on nylon strings?
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I know there is no right or wrong way to practice however I’m trying to get a feel for what works for other people. I’m trying to set aside 20-30 mins per guitar session. Do people watch the videos AND do a 20 minute practice each time? Or do they watch the videos one day and actually do hands-on practice the next day? What works for you?
I’m comfused, when I practice songs should I just be strumming down on beat 1? Or should i actually attempt to learn a full song with the strumming patterm?
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Hi Ron, at this point (module 2), just strumming down on beat 1 is ok, but keep your arm moving - down at every beat, up between the beats - to keep the rhythm. If you want to challenge yourself a bit more, you can strum at 1 and 3, and later at all 4 beats. You will start learning up strums in module 3, and strumming patterns in module 4.
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Hi Ellen, welcome to the community. You can definitely go through all the beginner grades with a nylon guitar. I only had a nylon classical guitar the first five years I was playing the guitar. In case you missed it, Justin has a lesson on Strumming Without A Pick. If you like fingerstyle then you can use a nylon guitar in the intermediate grades also 
Hi Stephen, welcome to the community. I usually watch all the videos for a module outside of my practice time. Then watch the videos during practice that match up with the practice elements with my guitar in hand to make sure that I am learning correctly. That may involve rewatching parts of the video lesson again and again. Once I learn the technique then I practice without the video.
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I love the song Down on the Corner in this lesson but I can’t find it anywhere else in the songbooks. Is it only here and on the app? I’m not as crazy about the 2nd song between Three Little Birds and Down on the Corner… Wish I could take that one out. But I guess when I buy the app I’ll probably get that opportunity. I’ll reward myself for getting getting through a few more lessons and showing myself I’m more serious than I was 20 years ago - with the app. I don’t think it will be the same this time though.
Strange when you haven’t played in 20 years and your hands remember the chords. I noticed the A, D, and E chords coming easier. Sometimes the transitions trip me up as I learn timing and rhythm which has always been my most challenging. Thanks so much, Justin!
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Just finished Module 2 videos. Very satisfied with all of them and the Learn More, Discussion, Notes, and Practice links. Getting more familiar with the layout. I added the practice routine to my list of Practice Routines and will start trying it today.
I thought I would start looking for a Capo in preparation for Module 3 in a couple weeks. I would buy one from the physical products section of the JG online store but did not see one. Maybe offer one someday? Is there a different JG source you offer that I just haven’t found yet?
Thank you very much for the amazing JG online products and community.
Kevin Kish
Hi, I’m picking up guitar again after years of not playing, and the first time I learned guitar I didn’t get far, and didn’t really learn in a systematic way, the way Justin teaches, but I am finding that I am meeting the prerequisites to move on really fast. I feel like if I move on, I won’t be learning all the good habits that are ingrained in this course though. Should I stay on this module to ingrain those habits or should I move on and keep practicing alongside new things. Also is there some minimum I should stay on each course before moving on (for example I was able to get all of my cord transitions to at least 30 strums per minute on the fist try for the first 2 modules, but I feel like they are slopy and I don’t have as good a handle on strumming the correct strings for A and D).
Thank you for any help or advice you can give!
Feel free to move on, it won’t do you any harm. The skills that you have been learning will be repeated in future modules just with more chords and more songs to apply them to.
You can always keep doing any exercises from this module if you feel the need to while still looking at material in the next module. It doesn’t have to be an exact formula, everyone learns a little bit differently and you can adjust a routine as you go along.
There’s no reason for you not to move on, but I would pay close attention to the sloppy chord changes. If you think you’re flubbing, say, half of your chord changes in your One Minute Changes, I feel like you need to slow down and work on your accuracy. A good exercise for this is Justin’s “Perfect Fast Changes” which he explains here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSFHgeJUuIs. Even better is if you time yourself with a metronome in the exercise. That way, you can also work on your rhythm.
If you’re able to switch and play the pair of chords well at a slow speed (a perfect 100% accuracy is ideal, but I gave myself 80% for some leeway), then you’ll be able to play them at faster and faster speeds without sounding questionable.
Accidentally strumming an extra string for A and/or D is a pretty benign mistake. Your right hand will stop making those mistakes with enough practice.