break for christmas

Haven't had time to play in the last couple days, and only a short time to play in the days before that. Christmas time is upon us and we have been busy cleaning and now my mother-in-law and brother-in-law are here. It will be interesting to see what I can remember come Wednesday. I talked to my Dad yesterday and he was talking about an acoustic guitar that was his Dads that he thought that he might have given it to Deb a long time ago. I think this might be the guitar that I gave to Mike a couple years ago as a joke gift when he was talking about getting a guitar but I can't remember if I did get it to him or if it just ended up getting trashed. I'll have to check with him.

The last few times I played I had a real hard time with my timing and when I went to play a song that didn't start with E it really messed me up. I really have to get into practicing more and for longer periods before I go back to work.

Merry Christmas to all

picking away

how fun and frustrating! it actually sounds like music! I played just 3 notes, E,F, and G, but it was nice to hear a real tune. playing chords is fine but it just sounds like random strumming now. it was interesting to play while looking at and reading sheet music, but it was tricky to keep your fingers in the correct spots even though it was all on the same string. i kept strumming the wrong string or putting my finger on the wrong fret or lose my timing. it was a fun challenge.

change in pace, again

Once again I switched my self-teaching guide. I started off with a book that only taught 3 main chords to start (G, D7, and C), then changed to reading and picking notes. I was only there for a little while when I went to the computer self guide that Mel had found. That one was all about the chords, wanting you to be proficient at all chords, major, minor, 7's, 6's, and everything before going on to notes. I just bought a guide from Walmart that had a CD, and a DVD. This one starts out with notes! Obviously there is no definite rule.
I haven't practiced all that much lately, although I did spend about an hour yesterday with Mel restringing and retuning the guitar and it does sound much better. I didn't get a chance today because I was busy all morning and never had a good block of time this evening.

moving on

Like I said last time, I skipped to the next lesson which is on the 12 fret blues. It was a nice change of pace but I don't sound anything like the guy on the computer. Shocker, eh? Still ended up doing the chords a few times and it wasn't bad. Ended up practicing for an hour or more, as compared to the usual 20 minutes when I just was doing the chords.
I actually took the last two days off because I was busy. I needed a reminder on the minor chords but the majors I have in my head. Just need to get my fingers to move faster and to go where they are supposed to go.

minor chords are a major pain in the...

fingers. I really thought my fingers were used to the strings, but I was wrong. I started the minor chords yesterday and they sure are tricky. C minor is near impossible, trying to get your pinkie finger up to the fifth string-third fret, while keeping your index and middle in the first fret, and while trying to keep your ring finger out of the way? Then you only strum strings 5-2. Seriously, who came up with that chord? Then you have F and G minor, I just can't get good pressure from my index finger across all six strings. I know, practice, practice, practice.
I might skip on to the next lesson tomorrow after practicing my chords some.

major chords

I know the major chords now and just printed out the minor chords to study. I am slow but can actually do A,C,D,E,F, and G without much trouble. My big problem is that I have to constantly look at my fingers to get them on the right strings and frets. My fingers are getting used to the strings so they don't hurt as much as they just feel weird. I recently started to plug the guitar into the amp and it sounds so much cooler even though I am not actually playing music. All in good time.