Hello here is my learning log.
I am 43 years old and decided to learn guitar just because I always listen to lots of music and wanted some sort of goals to hit.
June 2022, first mistake. I purchased a Martin Smith £70 acoustic guitar from amazon. It sounded dreadful even as a complete beginner I knew it hamper learning. I used it for a around two weeks, I started with horse with no name and wonderwall. Probably the worse way of learning but I just wanted to learn something I knew the tune well too and something to learn chords quickly.
After two weeks I purchased a Yahama F310. I couldn’t believe the sound difference for an extra £50 I wish I would of just spent all of the money in the first place.
I am lucky I can get to practice around 2-3 hours a day just about every day of the week. My finger tips do hurt most days.
I started by learning Oasis songs to pick up chords and muscle memory and using Justin’s app, Justin’s you tube videos and other online you tube guides.
Within a month I could play most of wonderwall, cast no shadow and most of champagne supernova and some of hotel california.
I struggled with a D chord for a few weeks then one day it just clicked and I think back now how did I take so long. But its just pure practice you get there without even realising it one day.
I found by learning songs you actually like really helped me progress and listening with headphones on and listening to the song two or three times in row first before the you try and play it really helped me.
I am around 7 months in now, I haven’t had any lessons at all. I can play Am, A, Asus2/4, C (just about), Caad9, D, Dm, Dsus4, E, Em, G, and a three finger F (if that is right)
I struggle with B chords and not even touched full barre chords yet.
I would say a can play around 10-15 songs now, not all from memory, I use the online chord sheets to follow as I play.
One of the things I think I’m getting into a bad habit is by playing a Caad9 if I know a G is too follow. I know you can get away with it on some songs but it doesn’t always sound as nice as a normal C.
A tip from me also if any other learners read this is, I always have my guitar near me, and it’s always on show in my lounge, never put it away in a spare room or something, keep it in sight.
So from now seven months in, I am going to practice my F / B chords and have a look at the barre chords.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading
