Simplified Guitar | John | Activity https://simplifiedguitar.com/members/johnn/activity/ Activity feed for John. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:21:58 -0600 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 e47ffbf33d47bbef8abaa58708a4cf22 John replied to the topic Gently Lead Small Family and Friend Gatherings in the forum Your Current Purpose & Plan https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/gently-lead-small-family-and-friend-gatherings/#post-6656 Fri, 17 Jun 2022 04:51:58 -0600 Hi Gail,

You found the best online program for what you are trying to accomplish. I’m really thankful that Jonathan spent so much time and effort putting this program together. I’ve had similar goals for years and finally accomplished them following this program. Best wishes to you!!

]]> 533f8467b89ec3de2899ab9c5cee7404 John replied to the topic Introduction in the forum Introductions https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/introduction/#post-6568 Sun, 27 Feb 2022 06:36:38 -0600 Welcome Vivian!

You’ve picked a great online learning program for guitar. Jonathan’s training program really works and the Song library is perfect for your goal. Best wishes with your new journey!

]]> c07f6ea893c631de123e97f264282728 John started the topic My goals for the next month in the forum Your Current Purpose & Plan https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/my-goals-for-the-next-month/ Thu, 17 Feb 2022 23:30:03 -0600 Below are some songs that I will be working on the next month or so. Still trying to get comfortable with the picking patterns, but slowly getting there. This goal setting really helps which is why I’m posting again. Gives me items to focus on. Thanks for all of the recent new songs you’ve posted. I’ve really enjoyed playing them!

Land Slide – Steve Nicks

Speechless – Disney’s Aladdin -…Read More

]]> bae8b626705aa5847d3cd9ce9fe78e43 John replied to the topic Strum pattern guide from 7daychallenge in the forum General Discussion https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/strum-pattern-guide-from-7daychallenge/#post-6524 Sat, 29 Jan 2022 04:31:15 -0600 Hi Jennifer,

When I first started the program, I found the suggestions in the ‘Strum Pattern Practice’ (in the ‘7 Day Song Practice Guide’) of muting all the strings to be essential (SP1, SP2, and SP3). When watching the videos, I try to emulate Jonathan’s strumming hand paying close attention to the details. Once I feel my strumming hand is in sync with the video, then I play the strum…Read More

]]> ed6f9d3d8c0c671ebaf0b977df2fe0d0 John replied to the topic New short term goals in the forum Your Current Purpose & Plan https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/new-short-term-goals/#post-6469 Sun, 19 Dec 2021 00:47:30 -0600 Thanks Jonathan! Having fun!!

]]> 40dbd747223ec862f043eaf3dfca5e8b John started the topic New short term goals in the forum Your Current Purpose & Plan https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/new-short-term-goals/ Fri, 17 Dec 2021 23:29:22 -0600 Below are my new short term goals for over the holidays. Primarily going to work on the Hyperdrive strumming pattern and picking while learning new songs.

Christmas songs:

– Frosty the Snowman

– Little Drummer Boy (this one is really fun btw. looking forward to mastering.)

Other songs:

– Trust In You by Lauren Daigle (HYPERDRIVE Strumming Pattern)

– What a Wonderful World by Lois…Read More

]]> 12e4e1a5c5d748299c2de55e555e529b John replied to the topic Wondering (worrying, actually) about left thumb position in the forum Questions & Struggles https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/wondering-worrying-actually-about-left-thumb-position/#post-6457 Mon, 13 Dec 2021 05:54:08 -0600 Thanks for the suggestions on Bsus4, C#m7 and loose thumb tip! Great to know. Do you have a similar tip for the Dm7 with the thumb? I feel like I’m getting closer, but not consistently there yet.

Have a great night!

–John

]]> 9ce64d62a8ca4acc880cef003cd0dd0e John replied to the topic Wondering (worrying, actually) about left thumb position in the forum Questions & Struggles https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/wondering-worrying-actually-about-left-thumb-position/#post-6453 Sat, 11 Dec 2021 06:50:54 -0600 Hi Susan,

For me, the chord dictates where my thumb goes and it has taken time and patience to get comfortable. What I chose to do is emulate Jonathan’s thumb positions and mute fingers in his Song Library and after time that worked well for. For example, if you pause on any of his songs you can see the thumb position for various chords. I’ve also done the same with strumming. Mute the…Read More

]]> e3b7851f40c209f137c9601565b835d9 John replied to the topic Struggling with Am7 in the forum Questions & Struggles https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/struggling-with-am7/#post-6423 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 05:47:45 -0600 Hi Sheila,

That was the most difficult chord for me while trying to learn ‘How Can It Be’ by Lauren Daigle. It took me about a month to build my guitar callus on the pinky finger up and I had to pay extra attention to the posturing on my pinky finger to get a clean sound. The posturing that Jonathan talk about and patience was key for me. Hope that helps.

]]> 66a38ef4de5bf893b89b98bb1efd0b96 John replied to the topic Why is the course page saying I didn't progress? in the forum Questions & Struggles https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/why-is-the-course-page-saying-i-didnt-progress/#post-6422 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 05:11:43 -0600 As far as I can tell all the buttons show Completed and the gold check marks are above each area. Could be all my clicking around over the past month did something strange. What I might do is unmark all and mark again at some point in time. Have a great day!

]]> b6f371bc05e73b3bb0db0533b5a57563 John replied to the topic Mute finger for Bsus, C#m in the forum Questions & Struggles https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/mute-finger-for-bsus-cm/#post-6421 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 04:57:40 -0600 That’s what I thought you were doing Jonathan. It does feel natural to use finger 2, so thanks for the confirmation!

]]> cfb77a9807ae6294e42721fdd612e0ea John started the topic Mute finger for Bsus, C#m in the forum Questions & Struggles https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/mute-finger-for-bsus-cm/ Tue, 30 Nov 2021 06:38:41 -0600 Hi Jonathan,

I’ve been working on ‘Open The Eyes Of My Heart’ (Sonic Flood) and have a question. Do I mute the low-E with my 2-finger for the Bsus and C#m?

Thanks!

]]> 8b4014207fba0b6fd880d9c9fe833de9 John replied to the topic Why is the course page saying I didn't progress? in the forum Questions & Struggles https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/why-is-the-course-page-saying-i-didnt-progress/#post-6413 Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:29:16 -0600 My course is at 96% Complete and it looks like everything is marked as complete. Just curious what the 4% I missed is as I’m struggling to find that information. Super fun course and song library!

]]> dd231bcd156152b2f98ebbda4b03bee3 John replied to the topic Song Suggestions in the forum General Discussion https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/song-suggestions/#post-6394 Fri, 26 Nov 2021 21:48:41 -0600 Thanks Jonathan! Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!!

]]> bfd5e170685e5c4eabd6f6d41ec545d6 John started the topic Song Suggestions in the forum General Discussion https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/song-suggestions/ Tue, 23 Nov 2021 05:17:38 -0600 Hi Jonathan,

If you ever get around to adding any new songs, below are a couple suggestions.

– RED ROCKS WORSHIP – Nobody Like You. I think the guitar tutorial looks like a fit for your chord selection.

– Stand In Your Love – Bethel Music, Josh Baldwin. Sure have enjoyed “Peace” by Josh Baldwin in your song library. Thanks so much.

btw, I’ve followed your suggestions on the Yamaha G…Read More

]]> c89f66741d36968c6945661c95d319dd John replied to the topic My short and long term goals for the end of 2021 in the forum Your Current Purpose & Plan https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/my-short-and-long-term-goals-for-the-end-of-2021/#post-6360 Sun, 14 Nov 2021 02:17:30 -0600 Cool goals Louise! You are on to something with the ‘find time’ comment. As children, fun was non-negotiable, right? It’s nice to have non-negotiable practice time with the guitar! Best wishes with your practice sessions and goals!

]]> 41116ca4aa070d588662bd28951dfdfa John replied to the topic My short and long term goals for the end of 2021 in the forum Your Current Purpose & Plan https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/my-short-and-long-term-goals-for-the-end-of-2021/#post-6347 Sat, 06 Nov 2021 21:02:14 -0600 Hi Lindsay,

Your goals are similar to mine! I’ll look forward to sharing tips and hope you reach your goals. I’m probably going to switch to the extra light gauge strings over the weekend, so I can play longer.

Kindest regards,

–John

]]> 8227966b035e764e0fd7740e84a6ad87 John started the topic My Goals in the forum Your Current Purpose & Plan https://simplifiedguitar.com/forums/topic/my-goals-2/ Sat, 06 Nov 2021 06:24:20 -0600 Playing guitar has been on my bucket list for years, but I’ve struggled to get past the start. This COVID pandemic has taught me that you might not have forever to get to your bucket list, so here I am. Starting guitar for me is like trying to get a Merry-Go-Round started that is loaded with kids! It’s not easy at the start, but once you get it spinning for a bit it gets easier. It is…Read More

]]> 6bf3ee307f2febcf1bdced443263010e John changed their profile picture https://simplifiedguitar.com/activity/p/3258/ Sat, 06 Nov 2021 04:06:13 -0600 0 7da857c4190973a514cd4bec978fc03a John's profile was updated https://simplifiedguitar.com/activity/p/3245/ Wed, 27 Oct 2021 05:07:27 -0600 0