[Jonathan]

Hey Cheryl, that’s a great question, and it is a common problem to miss that first note on the 1st beat of each measure. In general, it’s a good rule of thumb to keep your strumming hand relatively still, and just move the wrist and fingers to make your strumming and plucking. This allows you to memorize what angle of the wrist will allow you to pluck which string. If your whole arm is moving, your wrist angle will be relative to the angle of your arm, and it becomes more difficult to know where you are.

This is something I can tackle in next week’s live class as well, so you can get a visual.

You never fail until you quit!

[Cheryl Davidson]

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

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col 3:16

[Cheryl Davidson]

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 practice videos.
5. When I change chords (For example: E to Bsus), I do not move my thumb enough, so I end up with poor pressure on the strings (string buzz).

Self assignment:

1. Slow down, and stop pushing myself too hard/fast.
2. Have good posture, and hold my guitar comfortably.
3. Break practice down to a single activity.
   1. Chords only: Practice hand position of fingers and thumb
   2. Strumming only:  Try for more consistent movement.  (hopefully a consistent arm movement will help me find right string to pick for that Folk pattern)

Please let me know if I am on the right path to fixing my issues.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col 3:16