New to the site (Beginner)

[DHosinski]

Hello:

I'm 53, and just recently started playing the guitar and I'm just looking for sound advice as I progress. Currently, I'm taking lessons with TrueFire because there was a free 90 day trial with the purchase of a Martin guitar (I bought a GPC-X2E). I only have experience from high school (a long time ago) when I played the drums. So, that doesn't really do much in so far as knowing which note to play, but I can recognize the difference between a whole, quarter, half, and eight notes.
My timing is pretty bad, so I need a little discipline. I'm almost to the end of the first lesson on TrueFire and I started about 4 days ago. So, I'm looking at this as a positive.
My achilles heel thus far is the 'D' chord. Not so much playing it, but transitioning into it from another chord (A and E) quickly and cleanly. I also tend to fat finger the small string, and when I'm trying to play faster (transition) it's gets pretty sloppy.
So, any advice is certainly welcomed.

[Br1ck]

May I introduce you to that instrument of despair, torture, and eternal bliss, the metronome. Remember these words, slow is fast. Practicing sloppy fast will make you really good a playing sloppy fast. You must play cleanly slow first. Then increase speed three of four beats per minute. Buy a metronome that sounds good to you. I use a Whittner Super Mini. It is old school wind up, which is good because it winds down and gives you a rest.

Do not increase speed until you can play the hardest part in time. Once you have put in your work, reward yourself with something fun.

I took up mandolin at age 65, and though some guitar skills ported over, I slog through exercises with the metronome at least an hour a day.

[Acousticado]

Hi there DH, and welcome to the forum. Just so you know, I moved your thread to this “Play and Write” subforum that best deals with the nature of your post. I’m sure you’ll receive helpful replies.

Please know that what you’re experiencing as a new player is normal and with practice, you will overcome it. Building up fingertip callouses, hand strength and even good posture are all important and will certainly help you to improve your dexterity and overall skills. Most of all, have fun playing, and enjoy your time here.

[Monsum]

Welcome to our friendly forum.

One important thing about learning the guitar is to have fun which helps massively we get frustrated when trying to overcome some difficulties.

I remember when I was learning the guitar chords, I paid too much attention to playing everything perfectly as well.
But it's better just to enjoy this hobby and giving ourselves more time to improve our technique.

Try to find a chord progression from your favourite song (which includes 'D' chord) and don't worry too much now about transitioning to another chord.
This takes time. But playing along a song you like (even imperfectly) gives some form of achievement and satisfaction.

[DHosinski]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Hi there DH, and welcome to the forum. Just so you know, I moved your thread to this “Play and Write” subforum that best deals with the nature of your post. I’m sure you’ll receive helpful replies.

Please know that what you’re experiencing as a new player is normal and with practice, you will overcome it. Building up fingertip callouses, hand strength and even good posture are all important and will certainly help you to improve your dexterity and overall skills. Most of all, have fun playing, and enjoy your time here.

Hello Tom! No worry at all. I do want to find the correct forum. It will allow me to read other posts and maybe learn something else that I wasn't even thinking of.
Thanks again!!!

[DHosinski]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

May I introduce you to that instrument of despair, torture, and eternal bliss, the metronome. Remember these words, slow is fast. Practicing sloppy fast will make you really good a playing sloppy fast. You must play cleanly slow first. Then increase speed three of four beats per minute. Buy a metronome that sounds good to you. I use a Whittner Super Mini. It is old school wind up, which is good because it winds down and gives you a rest.

Do not increase speed until you can play the hardest part in time. Once you have put in your work, reward yourself with something fun.

I took up mandolin at age 65, and though some guitar skills ported over, I slog through exercises with the metronome at least an hour a day.

Hello, my string tuner has a metronome, but I really haven't tried to use it. Thank you for your recommendation.

[Riverwolf]

In addition to your current lessons try this site.
Many many here have finished at least one of his courses.
And play every single day, try for an hour per day.
You can even break that up into 15 min chunks.

https://www.justinguitar.com/

[Music-N-Yarn]

Welcome to the forum.

+1 on the metronome advice.

I am new around here too, and to the world of acoustic guitar, so this is mostly just a welcome. Been attempting to learn for about two weeks now. Teaching myself from a book. I am starting out with single notes, and share your struggle switching between strings. The fingers will learn, eventually. Muscle memory takes time. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

[tonyo]

Keep at it, I was exactly where you were 8 years ago and it's well and truly been worth it.

Justin guitar had a lesson on changing from D to A and E where the A is fingered different so your index finger stays on the G string as an anchor for all 3 chords

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkkOFLouQDs

[DHosinski]

Originally Posted by Music-N-Yarn

Welcome to the forum.

+1 on the metronome advice.

I am new around here too, and to the world of acoustic guitar, so this is mostly just a welcome. Been attempting to learn for about two weeks now. Teaching myself from a book. I am starting out with single notes, and share your struggle switching between strings. The fingers will learn, eventually. Muscle memory takes time. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

Hello! I have no doubt that we'll figure out switching between chords. I can see the metronome being a useful tool and having to be disciplined enough to follow it. I keep finding myself speeding up. LOL

[DHosinski]

Originally Posted by tonyo

Keep at it, I was exactly where you were 8 years ago and it's well and truly been worth it.

Justin guitar had a lesson on changing from D to A and E where the A is fingered different so your index finger stays on the G string as an anchor for all 3 chords

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkkOFLouQDs

They actually teach the same method on TrueFire. The index finger (1) is the anchor finger. When switching to D from A. The index (1) stays, the middle (2) is lifted, and you slide the ring (3) to the third fret, and then place the middle on the first string second fret. I still get a little messy here, but I have a much harder time when I have to switch quickly between lets say the 'E' chord to 'D.'

That will be my practice for a bit until I get it right.

[Deliberate1]

Originally Posted by DHosinski

That will be my practice for a bit until I get it right.

And you will. I can offer you no instructional advice, as I am usually on the receiving end of it, being only a year or so into my own guitar journey that I began at 63. I remember being exactlywhere you are right now in your progression. And posing a nearly identical question, which prompted the usual patient and helpful replies, which you may find valuable as well: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=553133.
I cannot tell you when it happened, or how, but it did. All those transitions became second nature. Thinking back, I have an inkling.

I took up guitar after writing songs with lyrics, which did not do me much good as a jazz clarinet/sax player for more than 50 years. Turns out the first song I wrote had A-D-E progressions. I probably posted my cry for help whilst trying to make progress on the song. And I did, after hours getting the song right - the transition just came while I wasn't paying attention.

Now I am working on chord structure, triads all over the fret board, and think nothing of the D transitions which are intuitive now. I cannot say if this same approach will work for you. But as a musician in your younger years, connecting the transition with music, and not just an exercise, may work for you as it did for me. If it does, you will have not just mastered the transition, you will have learned a song. If you do not have one in mind may I suggest: https://www.e-chords.com/chords/the-...-in-the-saddle.
It is a classic Carter Family tune, and one sure to please the whole room.
Good luck with your journey. It does not get easier. But it gets more fascinating for sure.
David

[tonyo]

If using the metronome sucks all the fun out of your playing, drop it and come back to it later. It took me a few attempts over quite some months before the metronome worked for me. Most important is keep it fun and get to where you can play a song all the way through. The accomplishment that gives is well worth it.

Keep it fun!

[Don W]

Welcome!!! I have been playing guitar for more than 50 years now. 8 years ago I learned Tab and last year started learning standard notation...so...you can really enjoy playing without these skills. When I learned in the 60's we learned from each other and got tunes off of records by ear. Back then, everyone was learning guitar and sharing what they "figured out". That said, I now know guitarists who started out learning notation and learning guitar in a smart structured way...they are my instructors now and I, the student. When switching chords be sure you are not holding the neck of the guitar like a bat. If your thumb is in the center of the back of the neck you will have more mobility. My first guitar was a Stella acoustic...the action was terrible...it took a lot to get clean notes and chords but...it was great looking back as I developed a lot of hand strength. It is a slow process...work at your structured lessons then put on a record and play...work then play and when possible play with others, especially those who know more than you. From time to time you need to play something that makes you happy...for me it was the theme songs to "The twighlight Zone" and "Secret Agent Man" When you get real frustrated put it down and come back to it later. Too much frustration will make you quit!!

[DHosinski]

Originally Posted by Don W

Welcome!!! I have been playing guitar for more than 50 years now. 8 years ago I learned Tab and last year started learning standard notation...so...you can really enjoy playing without these skills. When I learned in the 60's we learned from each other and got tunes off of records by ear. Back then, everyone was learning guitar and sharing what they "figured out". That said, I now know guitarists who started out learning notation and learning guitar in a smart structured way...they are my instructors now and I, the student. When switching chords be sure you are not holding the neck of the guitar like a bat. If your thumb is in the center of the back of the neck you will have more mobility. My first guitar was a Stella acoustic...the action was terrible...it took a lot to get clean notes and chords but...it was great looking back as I developed a lot of hand strength. It is a slow process...work at your structured lessons then put on a record and play...work then play and when possible play with others, especially those who know more than you. From time to time you need to play something that makes you happy...for me it was the theme songs to "The twighlight Zone" and "Secret Agent Man" When you get real frustrated put it down and come back to it later. Too much frustration will make you quit!!

Thank you! I haven’t been frustrated just yet. I’m pretty stubborn. When I allow myself I can hit the chords, but I tend to take off like a race car and then it gets sloppy. So, for now I’ll just try to be happy with how I’m playing. I’m pretty positive about my progress through the guitar lessons. I try to look at the sheet music below the video while I play to see how I should be following the music. I’m very tempted to pick up a SMART Amp just to learn the TABS, and hopefully things will all fall into place. I appreciate the encouragement. Thanks again!