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Hey Cheryl, thanks for the heads up. I’ll look into it and maybe on Friday I can give a screen cast of how to navigate through it.

Update:  I have a small list of things I have noticed:

1. My posture affects the guitar position.  (not sure how drastic this can affect play)
2. My posture is affected by the type of chair I sit in when playing.
3. My right forearm rests on the guitar body, and my arm pivots on that point.
4. When strumming:  My hand/wrist do not pivot in a consistent arc pattern like yours does in the pr…

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Part 2:

If I click on the “message box” icon, I get a new box, that constantly has the updating wheel.  It doesn’t progress any.

Hope this helps.

Hello Mr. Mathers,

I share your finger issues, and your frustration with them.  I did get a little better with practice.

As for the sound, I am not sure how to help.   I have seen little tests to see if the guitar needs adjusted, like measuring tune on the 12 fret, string height, or harmonics.  I am not a luthier, but I have watched and asked them questions.

As for my sound pro…Read More

Hello Mr. Mathers,

I am glad you are back practicing.   I admit I have days when I had so many tasks, I could not even get near my guitar.  I recently had family visiting for an extended stay, and I just couldn’t stop to practice because of all of the hostess demands on me.   I did miss “me and my guitar” time.

I am not sure your previous teacher really was “teaching” you.   Inst…Read More

Hey James, great question. For me, that number is really relative. It’s not set in stone. I begin to play the song, and then I’ll put on a metronome to match near the speed that I play it at. When I perform, I never actually use a metronome or BPMs, however, I know for practice, it’s useful for people to know the BPM, so you can practice the song away from the computer on your own with a…Read More

Hey Rich, the G family chords are what I think is tripping you up (G, Cadd9, D/F#, and Em7), as opposed to the traditional C, D, and Em. Probably the main issue is with your pinky and ring finger getting that clear sound. If you could solve that problem, then I’m assuming you would be fine with these chords.

Your ring and especially pinky finger will be your 2 weakest fingers, and will…Read More

Hey Rich, so glad to have you back in the swing of things.

Is there anything in particular about strumming that you’re still struggling with? If you can make it to the next live class that would be great, so you can explain visually. We do them now every week, and I announce on Monday the day and time.

For the C and Cadd9 selection, Cadd9 will be really only used when you’re playing a…Read More

I have been playing off and on a song by LANCO, its called “Greatest Love Story”

I would love to see how you do the strumming pattern. I think I focus too much on the strumming pattern and should just try to play the song.

Hey Jonathan,

I think I may try playing in front of a mirror to try and “see” what I am doing.  If that doesn’t work, I may try recording myself with a camera.  With what you are describing, I may not know how to fix my problem if I can’t “see” what I am doing when I mess up.

Until class-time,

Cheryl