i just started learning guitar with justin’s beginner course. right now i’m working on a and d chords, and occasionally screaming inside when my fingers won’t cooperate.
i’ve always loved music, especially songs that are thoughtful, emotional, a little strange—in particular prefab sprout. they’ve always been a huge inspiration, and the guitar work in their songs is something i’d love to work toward, even if it takes a while.
i’m not really sure what i’m doing yet, just trying to keep my expectations low and my hands attached.
hoping to stick with it this time, and maybe connect with a few others who know what it’s like to start from scratch with too many thoughts in your head.
charlie
(someone is about to say “practice makes perfect” and i must stop them before they ruin it for us all.)
Welcome Charlie! I don’t know about having too many thoughts in my head, but I do know what it’s like to start from scratch, using Justin’s course. I am also quite familiar with uncooperating fingers. I think you’ll find good company here. Hope to see you around!
Welcome to the forum. The first few weeks and few months are a challenge for sure. It does get better and the reward is simply wonderful. You get to make your own “a little strange” version of any song you want. Hang in there.
Soon or later you will hear from Justin that “practice makes permanent” and its more valid then “perfect”, because if you practice wrong you will learn bad habits.
So I really recommend to stay focused when learning new materials… get to know your fingers.
(not recommend global) For me… after I learn it that way I can get out of focus and just drill it by TV watching Netflix. But its not best method to learn.
Enjoy your journey and dont be scared to ask anything.
Welcome to the community, glad you found it. Its pretty chill. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself easier said than done, yeah i know. But most important have fun.
We have all been there, dont worry. Even Keith Richards had a hard time impressing Chuck Berry.
Soon with some some time and work you can make your own music and be an inspiration to others just like others have inspired you.
Welcome aboard, Charlie
Finger pain aside, you should be having a ball of a time already!
No, keep 'em high!
The excitement and joy of being able to produce music (of any type) from a block of wood and string is where the pleasure comes from.
That and sharing it with other people
Of course you’ll get technically better, but that’s not the point
Hello Charlie.
A Prefab Sprout fan … I haven’t listened in many a year. I saw them once at an intimate gig my friend promoted back in the mists of time.
Welcome to JustinGuitar and this fantastic community. Please take your time to look around and get to know the wider space. View by 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.
If you want to record yourself to show your progress and / or seek feedback there is our ever popular Community Recordings section.
Behind the scenes there is a small and dedicated team who work to make the JustinGuitar experience as good as it can be. Check out the Onboarding sessions provided by Fanny. Justin also has a small group of Approved Teachers he recommends for people wanting 1-to-1 lessons to supplement his courses.
That is plenty to be going on with. It is a vast community space so if you need help as you find your way around just ask.
Cheers. Richard
| Approved Teacher, Official Guide & Community Moderator |
Welcome Charlie, follow Justin’s lessons and the crowd here and you will have lots of fun. The guitar is an incredibly versatile instrument to learn, keeps us busy for a whole life… Enjoy the journey!
i’ve never posted in a forum before, so i wasn’t sure what to expect, but everyone’s replies have been so warm and encouraging (and a little intimidating in the best way).
i promise to keep trying, even when my fingers feel like they’re improvising their own choreography. i’ve started justin’s beginner course and i’m taking it slow… trying to keep it permanent, not perfect
really glad to be here, even if i’m still figuring out where everything is.
also, very moved that some of you recognized prefab sprout. made me smile in real life, which is saying something.
thanks again to everyone who replied. looking forward to the strange and painful joy of learning with all of you.
Hi Charlie, welcome to the community forum. While not strange, the first suggested A and D chord song, The Mavericks-Dance the Night Away, is definitely quirky, which you can see from the official video on YouTube. Have fun playing songs.
Wrong pony, Right pony, even Left pony …
doesn’t matter as long as you learn & have lots of fun!!!
Same thing with practice… as long as you’re picking up the guitar on a regular basis & following Justin’s advice, you will learn & improve… we all learn differently - you just need to find your “groove”!!!
Speaking of playing on a regular basis, I recommend that you get a stand or a wall hanger for the guitar… if it’s always close by, you can pick it up & play at a moment’s notice… I love to play while my coffee is brewing in the morning! Those 5-10 minutes really add up & they make a difference!!!
Hi Charlie. Others have already mentioned Justin’s view on what practice makes, so I’ll just add a mantra that you’ll hear from @Richard_close2u Richard if you stick around this community long enough:
Hi Charlie, welcome. Good you found Justin Guitar to learn with. Practicing right, your fingers will learn how to fret A and C and many other chords sooner than you think now is possible. On every lesson Justin introduce musical concepts in addition to the actual technique he is teaching about. Those concepts will be key to developing your musicality. With that musicality all that thoughtful, emotional, a little strange songs will be at your reach. Have fun.
charlie
…
on a regular basis & following Justin’s advice, you will learn & improve… we all learn differently - you just need to find your “groove”!!!
is brewing in the morning! Those 5-10 minutes really add up & they make a difference!!!