thanks. in the end i just stuck with it and the calluses developed in time. at some point after the first year my fingers stopped hurting. I’ll note the link though, just in case.
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Hi Nancy. I havea similar problem - being able to kind of play good list of songs that I love in a mediocre to at best acceptable way. What I am trying to do is focus on practicing five songs, play them as cleanly and well-timed as I can, and then add some embellishments, change up strumming or picking patterns, use pauses, work on dynamics, etc. If I can make a few songs sound pretty good and interesting, that’s a step up from being able to clunk through a bunch of tunes.
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I play anywhere from 2 to 3 hours a day on the guitar, it’s my meditation so to speak. Sometimes I feel that I’m just going around in circles but do work harder on a handful of songs along with all the learning & changing & learning & playing the songs I grew up with. But you hit the nail on the head with mediocre & acceptable except for maybe about 5 songs. But, I keep changing those as well.
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Hi all, I keep forgetting about this place, it must be my age, he he, anyway nice to meet all you new young people, cheers HEC
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Thanks, I do have a few of those, but sometimes I feel like I’m chasing my own tail! Doesn’t matter, I don’t have anyone to answer to except myself. I’m my worst critic!
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Hello,
Started JG lessons in mid-September as an absolute beginner, turned 70 in October, and have earned my calluses. Working on fast chord changes (A, D, and E) and strumming. Surprised about how hard that is–began using a metronome in earnest 2 weeks ago. Hope to learn a few songs one day. Nice group of folks you have here.
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Hi Robert @rweaver092
Welcome here and I wish you a lot of fun 
Follow the lessons slowly and the first songs will appear very very quickly 
, it is ultimately what playing music is about. Enjoy
Greetings ,Rogier
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Welcome to the community, it’s great to have you here. Wish you much fun!
Cheers Withold
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Hi All
Firstly I am from New Zealand, via Zambia and Sth Africa, originally born UK Birmingham 1945. A really old dog, got a few bits missing right leg, guitar sometimes slips off the missing bit!!!, few internal bits gone but rest is still here
Tried learning 3 years ago using commercial apps I got in such a mess really confused
Starting again with Squier stratocaster, tremolo is still in the bag, Fender champ 20 and East man PCH acoustic, it a bit scary that one.
So really a raw beginner, like the ends of my fingers.
Best wishes to all my fellow members and success in your endevours
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Hi Robert @Beagle14
Welcome here and I wish you a lot of fun
Great to see you here and yes you are 100% qualified for this topic 
I myself cannot lean a guitar on my right leg and use a guitar strap for that, it may also help you against distractions of the guitar from the stump (if you have not thought of this yet)
Greetings,Rogier
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Hi Roger
Pleasure to hear from you, yes I use a shoulder strap although my leg is gone below the knee it still helps. Once I get past the sore finger end plateau things will improve. I also use my cappo as an execiser for my fingers. works well.
Kindest regards Robert
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@Sheffdale @Beagle14 @rweaver092
Hello Ian, Robert and Robert.
I’ve found you a warm, comfy dog blanket and a little space to call home in the kennel.
Woof woof.
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Hello new old dogs! Welcome to the community and this happy corner of it!
I hadn’t visited this thread for a while so just caught up with four months of posts!
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Hi to all you new guys, I always try and pop back to the place I belong just to catch up with everyone, it’s nice to meet you, and it is such a great place to be, cheers Hec
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Hi All
Working on the paw tips, improving daily, they are finding places to be, Pavlov would be proud. Got tennis balls now good exercise. Go fetch it boy, ARF ARF, limp off you can do it, Slow and easy thats our game
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Hey, if she can do it, YOU CAN TOO! Get practicing fellow geezers!
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A post was split to a new topic: I’m looking for a simplistic app to record my music & singing on. Any suggestions?re
Richnewcast here. 66 years and picking up beginner guitar. Spent most my life shooting, hunting, reloading. Took up bowhunting at 63 after developing heart problems and now surgery is imminent this year. Picked up a light electric for ease of play. I attempted this when I was young but failed without proper resources. This place looks to have all the resources and like my reloading community there’s a lot of support. I’m looking forward to my journey immensely. I was a bit surprised that chords I haven’t made in more than 40 years came back at least a little. I know they don’t seem related but the dedication it takes to archery hunt elusive elk here in nw Montana proved to me that I can still do anything. Hiking 8 miles and 1500’ vertical rises with 30# pack at 5’7” and 65 years and packing my share out- that’s the same dedication I’ll bring to learning guitar. Very much looking forward to getting the basics down before the long rehab time after open heart. I’ve always been active and worked commercial HVAC but anazingly my fingers all work. I’m kind of an introvert but hope to break that using the forum. Looking forward to hanging with the “senior amateurs “. Maybe I’ll be able to jam with my granddaughter who’s learning drums( just ordered her first set).
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Hi @Richnewcast Welcome to JustinGuitar and the Community and the kennel for us old dogs. woof woof
Thanks so much for this!
Old lady here, took up guitar at 60 to keep my musical brain active while undergoing treatment for colon cancer—I’m a singer/voice teacher but my voice was temporarily wrecked by the surgeries etc., so I was grateful to have an outlet while I healed.
I wasn’t able to make all that much progress while I was in treatment, but now that I am cancer-free and mostly healed I am looking forward to my third act, in which I become a rock star! This course is already providing lots of motivation and learning.
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