Comments on: How to Create Good Guitar First Chord That Work

By: Sue

Sue — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 14:24:44 +0000

Klaus, I lost my guitar teacher…she was ill and hasn’t come back. I tried another teacher but he was too expensive. I can’t afford to pay the fee weekly. Over time I practice less and less. I would like to play with other people but have gotten slow and clumsy changing chords. I will go to a guitar shop to see if the teacher will do a monthly lesson. Do you have any inspiring words.

By: Klaus Crow

Klaus Crow — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 19:38:44 +0000

In reply to Inger.

Hi Inger, I feel you.
You definitely don’t have to choose between instruments.
Absolutely go with both if you love it.
Maybe you would make more progress focusing on one instrument but remains to be seen.
Also learning two instruments can really support and benefit each other.
You wouldn’t necessarily see that now practicing your bar chords, but knowing music theory
and your experience with harmony, melody and rhythm with the organ really gives you an advantage on the guitar
and other way around.

Besides that, it’s just you’re a musician that loves playing music. There are no rules for that.
I also practice drumming even though I’m just a beginner but it’s also nice to take a break from guitar
when my fingers had enough of a workout.

Regarding to playing with musicians, if there’s no prospect of jamming with musicians as you say,
you can also play along with backing tracks and jam tracks which is fun and really good for you.
The metronome is great for keeping tempo, but the jam tracks will give you more of a feel of how it
is to play with other musicians.

You’re doing great Inger!
Best,
Klaus

By: Inger

Inger — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 15:47:43 +0000

Hi and thanks for another reminder! My problem is that I am trying to learn two instruments, guitar and organ. I realize just working on one would speed up the process, but it’s so hard to decide between them. I love every minute of it, so 5 minutes always turns out to an hour at least. I have no prospects of jamming with others at the moment, but I use a little metronome to keep me on track. For guitar, I am working on barre chords. I read all your posts and save your lessons for when I can follow them, but I have to kind of go with the flow with family and work for now.

By: Klaus Crow

Klaus Crow — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 15:10:02 +0000

In reply to Michael Grabowski.

Hi Michael,
It sounds like you’re really doing a good job sticking to your practice.
Make sure you also going somewhere with your playing (create a plan and track your progress) or you’ll wind up anywhere,
which is also perfectly fine if that suits you.

Regarding to the guitar player down the street, gather your courage and jam with the guy.
Be willing to be vulnerable, honest and ready to learn and you won’t regret it.
Jamming is the holy grail.

Let me know how it went.
Best,
Klaus

By: Michael Grabowski

Michael Grabowski — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 14:50:59 +0000

All excellent advice. I already do a couple of things on your list. I have a daily reminder on my Alexa device that reminds me it’s time to practice. I have three devices plus my phone that it verbally reminds me, so that no matter where I am in the house I get the reminder, but then so does my wife. She is a great supporter of my guitar journey so she makes sure I don’t skip my practice. I also talk to my ex brother in law at least once a week. He is an accomplished guitar player and we share a lot of music theory with one another. I’ve yet to play with another musician, but I did meet another guitar player down the street and he is willing to play together as soon as I feel I know enough to give it a go. He of course told me not to worry about it and that I should start playing with him and others, but insecurities and all. You know.