Help finding a path forward?

[BadWithNames]

I’m stuck in the beginner phase - can do cowboy chords, transitions are clean, have started to be able to make barre chords about half the time, I can strum (with a pick) and can pick up patterns fairly quickly. I can “play” some songs, meaning strum a chord progression to accompany the song. I’m finding that unsatisfying without also becoming a singer .

Here’s my goal - play solo instrumental music mostly for my own entertainment. Not set on any genre, but enjoy a lot of classic rock, blues, and folk.

Examples of what I’d like to achieve (ultimately):
Paul Davids playing Mark Knopfler’s In the Heartland and others
Paul Davids playing Freight Train and The Last Steam Engine Train

How best to reach that goal, and maybe what are some reasonable goals to set along the way (I do want to have fun with this!)?
A) Jump straight into fingerstyle - maybe with the Mark Hanson methods; others?
B) Develop some more interesting repertoire with flatpicking first? Not sure how to approach that; any method suggestions?

I think I am lacking in ear training and theory, but intend to pick that up along the way.

I did actually sign up with a teacher for in-person lessons just as the pandemic put the kibosh on that. Perhaps that’s really the best way to continue - Skype lessons with a remote teacher opens up a lot of possibilities.

Anyway, thanks for reading - I appreciate your suggestions!

[reeve21]

A all the way like the guy in those videos You are at the right stage to start fingerpicking if you have the time and desire to stick with it. If you are a book learner Hanson is great. If you prefer videos Toby Walker, Happy Traum, David Hamburger are all good for beginners, but a live teacher is best!

[SprintBob]

Mark Hanson offers Skype lessons FWIW. I’ve had him as a teacher for at least 4-5 years. His books Contemporary Travis Picking and The Art of Solo Fingerstyle are excellent starting points to get into solo acoustic guitar playing. I look back at where I started and where I am now and it was a good call to get and continue with Mark as my teacher. Hope you have the same success if you pursue getting a teacher.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by SprintBob

Mark Hanson offers Skype lessons FWIW. I’ve had him as a teacher for at least 4-5 years. His books Contemporary Travis Picking and The Art of Solo Fingerstyle are excellent starting points to get into solo acoustic guitar playing. I look back at where I started and where I am now and it was a good call to get and continue with Mark as my teacher. Hope you have the same success if you pursue getting a teacher.

+1 on Mark Hanson.

I started with his two books when I began finger style.

[BadWithNames]

Thanks guys! I’m inclined toward trying finger picking, so I think you’ve just confirmed it for me.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by BadWithNames

Thanks guys! I’m inclined toward trying finger picking, so I think you’ve just confirmed it for me.

Just go slow with it. Think of paint drying when you practice.

[Kerbie]

You sound like a lot of us at one point or another. I think the more theory you learn, the better. It opens up doors and kinda teaches you the reasons music sounds good.

Agree on Mark Hanson, Toby Walker and Happy Traum's "Homespun" site. You tube is full of stuff... lots of it is junk, but there is good there too.

I finally got bored strumming and found that acoustic fingerstyle blues was a blast. Fingerstyle technique can keep you busy for a long time, but it's a pleasure. Nothing like playing the rhythm and the melody at the same time. Good luck!

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Nothing like playing the rhythm and the melody at the same time. Good luck!

Similar to learning some Carter style picking songs.
Many can be played with a flat-pick and as a instrumental.
musicwithryan.com is a good site for this.

[BadWithNames]

Originally Posted by TBman

Think of paint drying when you practice.

Words to live by

[BadWithNames]

Originally Posted by Riverwolf

Similar to learning some Carter style picking songs.
Many can be played with a flat-pick and as a instrumental.
musicwithryan.com is a good site for this.

Carter picking - a new thing I learned about today - also, thanks for the reference- I’ll check that out!