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Hey Tom, it’s really up to you how long you practice. But yes, if your fingers are bleeding, that’s definitely a sign to stop!

Hey Tom, Sounds like with all your life experience, this will be your time to master the guitar.

For finger stretching, they will get more flexible with regular, persistent practice over time.

Best of luck!!

–Jonathan

Hey Steve, for “Lord I Need You”, you can use the driving pattern for strumming, as it is a 4/4 time song.

Hey Tom, just keep moving forward. It’ll all come together with time. Best of luck!!

Thanks for including the  7-day link for Ric. That was a big help! It also helps to turn the volume down when I practice with you in recordings. I agree, to start there is a lot going on to keep track of during those recordings

I’m pleased with my practice progress but it’s all theory. Ouch! I have so many different (I won’t say bad) habits to break from the old days when I  play the s…Read More

Sorry about the typo. You will NOT regret it after your epiphany occurs.

Hi Margaret,

know that you are in my prayers for your struggles. Have you done any research on plasticity of the brain? Dr. Daniel Siegel is renowned in his work in this area. You might find it helpful to you in other areas besides playing guitar.It’s weird when I clicked on your photo space I get a site called Gravatar. I’ve never seen that before. Keep practicing you will regret it…Read More

Hi Charles,

What have you been up to since this Nov post. Do your fingertips have calluses yet? I’m in Indiana. We are not too far away from each other.Practice makes perfect! 🙂

Tom

Hi Ben,

You might still be a member since your in the forum. What you been up to since your seven day trial? Love to hear from you.

Tom

Hi Marshall,

Isn’t amazing to learn information that we didn’t even know we were missing?! I’m having the same experience that you describe in your intro. I’m looking forward to continuing our posts.

Tom

Hi Dee,

I enjoyed reading your story. It is so obvious how much emotional spirit you have within you. Soon you’ll be writing your own songs I’m sure of it. Stay in touch!

Tom

Hi Tony,

I’m 66. We will struggle through this together. I hope you stay in touch on the posting. 🙂

Tom

Hi Steve,

Sounds like you might be self-taught as well. Maybe took lessons in early school? I love the name of your city. I’ll bet there’s a story behind that 🙂

Tom

Hi Richard,

I’m 66 year’s-old. The only thing better than retirement is being a Grandfather. I hope you are able to take that 2nd leap soon. As a barber you can take your guitar to work and practice while waiting for patients customers. lol.

Stay in touch in the forum. I’ll do the same.

Tom

Hi Bruce,

I played for a while a long time ago, self taught. I can tell you the key is practice because the more you practice the more callous you form in your fingertip and the more enjoyable practice becomes in comparison. You wrote this in February so you have  probably made tremendous progress since then. I’ll try to catch up on your other posts soon.

Tom

Hi Denis,

My prayers are turned toward your accomplishments!

Tom

Hi Jane,

Nice to meet you. Cleveland shouldn’t be cold anymore. Fort Wayne, Indiana layed down a blanket of snow for us only four times this year.

My older sister played guitar when I was a kid and we would have spontaneous hootenannies. My grandmother taught my older brothers piano and I between the ages of 6 and 10 sang along, sometimes hammering a drum or blowing a flute. It was a…Read More

Hi Mari,

I like the idea of prayer devotions with the guitar! I lived in San Diego, California for 40 years. In 2008 I returned to my hometown in Indiana believe it or not. It was definitely the right move even though I miss the ocean and the other California perks. Have fun with your practice!

Tom

Hi Lois,

If you posted right away, I signed up a few days after you did. I posted later though. Once those calluses are formed, we will both find ourselves practicing a lot more than 15 minutes a day. That’s when the magic begins!

Tom