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Hello, my name is Alex. I am retired, and used to play some guitar many years ago, but haven’t really played much in awhile. Recently I was asked at a men’s bible study I attend, if I would want to join the group of guys that play worship songs at the beginning of each study. I started trying to brush up and play some of the songs they gave me and found I was way out of practice. So my…Read More

Hey Ike, I would say generally it’s nice to know how to do both, so that you are not limited to one or the other, as both options have pros and cons.

A pick does allow you to be more accurate as it is nearly paper thin, compared to big bulky fingers. In the end, each option gives a different style and a different sound. So knowing both will open more options for you.

Thank you Sir for the quick response, but are there any limitations, restrictions or inhibitions to using my thumb to strum that may affect my guitar growth down the line? If any, perhaps it would be better to train myself to appreciate using picks1!

Hey Ike, it’s totally fine if you want to use your thumb! It’s a matter of personal preference.

Hello Ike, welcome to the SG family! Glad to have you hear. Sounds like a great plan. You can do it. Create a daily practice plan and stick to it, and you will succeed.

I have been learning the guitar for a while now. I am not happy with the sound I create and I am sure it sounds worse when heard by others,

My purpose of taking this course is to be able to play worship songs. Although I love  all genre of music,

I want to dedicate my guitar music to the worship of our God and the praise of our Lord Jesus.

Thank you ! I sent an email  with vid in case you have more suggestions about what I’m doing

Hey Jackie, without seeing you play, it’ll be hard to give a precise critique. If you want, you can share a video of you playing either on the private facebook group, or email it to me at jonathan@simplifiedguitar.com

But in general, the thing that makes the folk pattern work is the dynamics. Make sure you are plucking just the root note of the chord on beat 1, (just 1 string). Then beat…Read More

Hello Bert! Glad to have you in the SG family! Looking forward to seeing your progress. Let us know if you have any questions or struggles along the way.