I’ve been learning from Justin Guitar for just about a year now. I’m nearing the end of module 2. I keep going back and reviewing other lessons from time to time. It’s a lot to learn and it pays off to go back and review. Everything takes time, patience and effort. Be sure to record yourself, and make sure you can see your entire guitar and body, so you can not only hear yourself improve from time to time, but see what you’re doing physically as well and adjust as need be.
In addition to the advice you’ve already received, I suggest playing with another musician as soon as possible and as often as possible. Ideally that would be another guitarist, or a pianist, or a drummer, or a bassist, but any instrument would be fine. It’s also ideal if the other musician is more advanced than you.
You might think you’re not good enough to play with another musician. Forget that thought. Nuke it from orbit. Even a raw beginner will benefit from playing with another musician. And other than the possible exception of playing live in front of an audience, nothing will put a spur to your playing and advancement and motivation like playing with another musician. (You still have to practice, of course, this is in addition to the normal practice routine.)
You might think a more advanced musician will be impatient and annoyed with you. That’s very unlikely as long as you clearly communicate that you’re a beginner. Most musicians will be happy to play with you; just set an accurate expectation.
Great advice in previous posts.
Hope this one doesn’t sound too gross. When I find the pick a little slippery between thumb and forefinger, I touch my finger to my tongue, rub my finger and thumb together, then grasp the pick. After that it stops slipping. Maybe it removes a little oil residing on the skin. Works for me though🙂.
For a moment there I thought you were going to say you used your own gorilla snot ![]()
I have/had a lot of the same issues, namely a guitar that’s too big for me, and not enough money to replace it. A strap helped a lot, as does playing while standing up and walking around. Also, fingerstyle, and strumming without a pick for a while.
I can relate to your problem of different shapes. My main guitar was until recent an Ibanez semi hollow. (ES-355 clone). Really good, but big.
Then i got hold of a Hohner (Stratocaster clone) and boy, what a difference that made…
Thinner, smaller, much more comfortable. (other sound too, with 3 pickups, rather than 2 humbuckers).
Bottomline, it feels better to play for a longer periode.
If you can, go to a local music store and try different models. See how they feel. Even if you’re not buying yet, you still have a good idea of what suits you best.
Picks, you say?
My only advice is this: try A LOT of different picks. Don’t go for the advertisement talk, telling you that it will do this or that, or that player uses them etc…
I’ve been trying different ones, shapes, sizes, thickness for years (litteraly) untill i stumbled upon Dunlop prime tones. (1,5mm). And that’s when i thought: "yep, that’s it. This is “the one”.
I had to make a slight adjustment with some sanding paper, but it all comes down to personal preference. No more are the days of slipping picks, no more wobbling, no more losing picks strumming.
For me, these are rock solid.
I hope this helps somewhat. Good luck!!