Welcome John @Saintylad! Yeah, D minor…lots of time to learn it. If I recall correctly, part of the guidance for passing Grade 1 is to be able to play five beginner songs. Looks like you’re 20% of the way toward that goal!
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Exactly. I get a lot of joy out of playing songs in my repertoire. I recall in a lesson of Justin’s he made the comment you don’t get better just playing your songs. This is one of the rare times I disagree with him. I’ve noticed how much better over time I get with these songs and I also add embellishments and such as well.
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Agreed - that’s also part of the fun… when someone else comments how much improved your song is, it just makes the time you’ve spent feel like it was ‘well spent’!!!
Also, @Saintylad John mentions being only 55… he likely has many years ahead to keep getting better!!! I wish I’d found Justin many years ago! 
Tod
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Absolutely. There are thankfully only a few times when my inner voice says “wow, you must have really sucked at that song before”
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Hi John, welcome to the community forum.
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Fantastic. Dmin is a stinker. It is probobly my weakest open chord especially since I had recently switched over to the non pinky.
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Welcome, John to this wonderful world of guitar Justin has provided us.
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Welcome John,
Enjoy the journey.
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Hi John,
Welcome here and I wish you a lot of fun 
Greetings,Rogier
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Hi John nice to have you here cheers Hec
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Hi John, welcome to the Community, have fun
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Welcome - I’ve just discovered the JG community myself - it’s great isn’t it!!!
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Welcome to the community John!
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Yes I can do it non pinky but switching to it is challenging.
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Wow, I left this thread because real life dragged me away, but I’m really bouyed by the comments I am now reading. What a great community!
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I’m just a pup
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Hi John,
welcome!
Tufnell Park! I was staying near Finsbury Park when I lived in London, not far away.
I hope you’ll enjoy your guitar journey, should there be any questions - just ask!
I agree. While I rather doodled along fingerpicking what ever I felt like quite often for more than a year and practiced less than before. Probably it’s not the most efficient way to improve in a short time, but I definitely feel big improvement in some areas. Just like you did playing your songs.
And after all, Justin always emphasizes the journey should be fun and we know our own goals best!
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Keeping it fun is the secret to keeping it happening.
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Hello John.
Your first song is always a memorable one. 
Welcome to JustinGuitar and this fantastic community. Please take your time to look around and get to know the wider space.
https://community.justinguitar.com/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.
Richard | JustinGuitar Approved Teacher & Moderator & Official Guide |
