New to guitar

[Donnie S]

Hello, I’m Donnie and 63 years old, retired early 4 years ago from 29 years of being a senior maintenance technician for a major pipeline co. for medical reasons so I have a lot of time on my hands. I decided to learn how to play guitar so I could play with friends while camping and at home. I started about 6 weeks ago and was just using you tube learning lessons. I am very impressed with the new knowledge I’m getting from this program but am stuck trying to practice the lessons here especially the patterns because my fingers are large and can’t seem to be able to get them to spread far enough to use four fingers let alone three. It seems as if my pinky is useless even though I have been working on the stretching exercises in the program. With that being the major issue I have not been able to change chords near fast enough to play any songs. I plan to continue this but don’t see myself ever playing any songs. It seems as if I have no finger muscle memory. Thankful I found this program but also don’t see any progress physically.

[Fred Soukup]

@Donnie SI also have large hands, keep doing the stretching exercises as that will help. You might also want to try placing all 4 of your fingers on the g sting starting on the 5th fret. Take your index finger and reach up to the low E then down to the high E, without lifting the other fingers. repeat this 5 times then proceed to the middle finger repeat the process and so on to the pinky. Doing the 5 repetitions with each finger do 3 sets. this will strengthen all your fingers especially your pinky. After completing, do the “scoop the sand” exercise. Imagine you’re scooping sand out of a bucket with your fretting hand – lead with your pinky, followed by your ring finger, middle finger, then first finger. Finally, curl your fingers in to make a fist. Repeat “scooping the sand” until your hand feels sufficiently stretched and loose. **Don’t overdo it! At first you will feel like you destroyed your pinky. after you get comfortable doing this increase the reps to 10. you will find that your pinky has gotten stronger and more useful the speed of your chord changes comes with practicing slowly and then gradually speeding them up.

Fred 🎸

[Donnie S]

Thank you very much, I pick up my guitar at least 5 times a day, been trying to do pentatonic scales and work on chords and seems as if I am going nowhere. I am not going to give up on guitar but am very disappointed in myself and ability to make hands coordination improve. I will work on the stretching exercises you have mentioned and I really appreciate your response. Have been wondering if I should be taking lessons because have been feeling so alone and not improving. I really needed someone to listen to my situation and give me anything to try.

thank you again 

Donnie

[Fred Soukup]

@Donnie SHave you completed any of the foundational courses? Guitar Grid 101 is a good start. I know it is level 2 but try GUITAR GRID MASTERY and follow the modules exactly. you will soon find yourself making music.

Fred 🎸

 

[Donnie S]

Okay, I’ll try that. Been working on finger exercises but pinky just doesn’t work on its own. Have large hands and having issues making chords d and c without touching other strings and that seems to be holding me up. Thanks for all the suggestions and I’m dedicated so will keep working on it.