So, I’m just looking for some feedback super new to this like 2 weeks new lol. and only on beginner module 2 practice routine. the chord changes in the songs in module 2 are a bit much for me atm so I’m doing everything from the module 2 practice accept I’m doing the 10 minutes of song practice from module 1 since that’s still challenging to me. Does this approach make sense or should i be pushing myself to do the module 2 songs. My thought is I should work on the earlier songs until those changes and tempo feel ok than move on to the next which may mean I’m generally a lesson behind on songs from what I’m learning.
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You should be doing the songs from the previous modules until you have the chord changes from the module your on up play grade. This gives you extra practice on previous chords and will help with timing.
Challenging yourself is fine but pushing yourself when not ready will just frustrate you or make you a sloppy player.
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thanks for the reply, that’s exactly where my train of thought was but was also doubting my decision a bit. glad to be part of this community seems like nothing but good vibes and positive attitudes!
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Make sure you’re practicing songs that interest you or you like. Nothing deflates your interest faster than day in day out playing Who Let The Dogs Out (or something) until you can play it like a pro 
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Hello and welcome to the community! You’ve definitly come to the right place. 
About your question: that’s no problem at all and keep on doing what you feel you are comfortable with.
There’s no advantage to be gained in pushing yourself beyond where you feel good about what you’re learning.
Practice the songs from module 1 untill you’re comfortable playing them.
That’s when you can move along to the songs of module 2.
Don’t worry too much about the rest.
And don’t forget the most important things about playing guitar:
- It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
- Have fun!!
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Hi Mike agree with all above keep practising the mod 1 songs maybe try to find some with the same chords that you like otherwise it can become a chore practising just for the sake of it.
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Hi, just one addition to the above: if you’re still struggling to keep up with the chord changes in the song practice for module 1, slow the tempo down to a speed where you can follow. Then speed back up a couple bpm and practice this until you can make the changes time. Repeat until you get to the ‘normal’ tempo of the song. This approach will get you quicker where you want to be then when you just keep playing the song exercise at full speed, trying to follow.
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I truly appreciate all the responses and suggestions. I’m ok with the tempo in module 1, my fretting hand and my thumb get tired after about 6 minutes of song practice and i get sloppy so I’m trying to focus on relaxing my hand more. the tempo in module 2 is tough for me at the moment. I don’t have the app at the moment to slow the tempo because I absolutely hate using my phone to study or practice anything. I enjoy having my laptop on a table in front of me to watch the instructional videos and play along videos. Once i tighten up my chord changes between A D E I’m planning to look for songs I’m more interested luckily for me the music i enjoy spans the last 70+ years. But I’m enjoying the process and not putting pressure on myself to learn at any pace I just want to make sure to lay solid groundwork with the fundamentals. Edit to add I am practicing chord changes with the metronome function on the site.
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Mike, you’re using the practice assistant on the website, right? You can slow down the play along video of the song practice by increments of 25%. First click on the little cog wheel in the bottom right hand corner, then on ‘normal’ next to ‘speed’.
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Now I see why you are the LadyOfTheCastle and the rest are just minions. That’s a huge help thank you so much.
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just want to thank everyone again. and also i just ran through the module 2 practice play along video at 75% and was able to struggle through it! definitely missed a bunch of changes but it seemed like the correct amount of struggle if that makes sense. thanks again for the tips especially how to slow the play along videos!
Hey Mike–
From a fellow newb, just a bit further down road than you
Yes to all of the above: slow it down, have fun.
Remember Justin’s adage: Practice Make Permanent
You might try recording yourself too.
The brain has limited ability to multi-task
it is very difficult to simultaneously play guitar AND dispassionately observe yourself.
- Remembering the shape of the chord
- Finding it on the fret board
- Mild panic because your next chord isn’t as memorized
- playing in rhythm
- strumming pattern, up, or is it down next?
- tapping heel
- and…and…
When you slow it down, and re-listen to it from a recording, you will probably notice things that you’re doing correctly (give your self credit!), things you knew could be improved, and things you’d not noticed before that could use attention.
Remember to talk oh-so-nicely to yourself. Accentuate the positive!
You can, for grins, go back and listen to yourself weeks, months hence and be forced to acknowledge, “Heck yeah! I’ve come along nicely”.
It won’t be perfect, you are a beginner, after all
Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough
Recording Yourself Playing Guitar
(no need to read if this is old hat for you)
Cell phones are all set up for videos but… I don’t like watching on a tiny screen, and don’t like the sound out of the tinny tiny speakers.
Additionally, using the phone requires you to find some way to point your phone at yourself & guitar → that’s not at risk of propelling your phone onto the floor at some speed.
I prefer to record a video from my Laptop’s camera.
I find it also makes storing/renaming the recordings easier than the phone’s file system.
If you’re on a Mac, you can use the built in application *QuickTime Player" to record video or sound only:
On Windows 10 & later, you have the “Camera” app (which you may need to download)
Here’s a random find on Youtube of other, free, webcam video recording options https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ciz5enz6UY
Before too long we’ll see your post to the AVOYP channel (“A Video of You Playing”).
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