[Tomas]

Great question. No, it doesn’t have to be the seventh form. It just adds a little more spice to the progression. Think of it like adding spice to soup… let’s say black pepper. Sometimes it’s just what the soup needs. At other times it’s too much.

[Tomas]

Hi David,

Great question. Even experienced guitar players need to stretch. Especially as we get older. Here is a series of stretches for guitar players. Even a few of them done regularly will make a difference.

https://realguitarsuccess.com/courses/hand-stretching-warm-up-routine-for-guitar-players/

Also, do the warm-up exercise I teach in the Beginner’s Journey… or another if you’d prefer.

Hand Stretching Warm-up Routine for Guitar Players

[Tomas]

I use the small affordable ($199) Yamaha THR5 10-watt 2×3″ Modeling Combo Amp. It’s a good quality amplifier with some neat modeling effect to change the sound of your guitar to imitate other guitars. I particularly like it because it’s portable. Mostly I use it with the Boss RC-3 looper. I play a chord progression on the looper and then solo over the changes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a mic input. Not so good for singing and playing.

I think a good amp for the money is the Fender Acoustasonic 40 – 40-watt Acoustic Amp. I haven’t tried it myself but I have tried several the older Fender Acoustasonic amps and I thought they were good bang for the buck. Going for $229 at Sweetwater.

I’ve used the Peavey Ecoustic E208 30-watt 2×8″ Acoustic Combo Amp briefly. I thought it sounded good and has many features. It has two inputs that can be used for either guitar or mic. I’ve read several reviews that say they hear a lot of hiss (noise) when you’re not playing. I don’t remember that but I wasn’t really looking for it either.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more money ($349) I’d take a good look at the Fishman Loudbox Mini BT 60-watt 1×6.5″ Acoustic Combo Amp.

[Tomas]

Hi Arthur, what you’re describing sounds very normal. It also sounds very much like my experience in the early days of learning fingerpicking. I’ll give you the benefit of my experience and what is work for other students.

To go fast… Go slow.

This is more critical with fingerpicking than any other aspect of playing guitar.

If you’re like me you set out to learn the song that is a few steps above where you’re at developmentally. I think for me it was stairway to heaven 🙂

It’s not bad or a problem. It’s just feedback. 

Go back to the fingerpicking magic level I lessons. Change your mindset from learning this one song to developing your fingerpicking skills. Work on the exercises and lessons a little every day. I get more advice in this course that will help you understand more about what I mean and why it works. I’ll give you a tip… It has to do with tensing your muscles.

You will get this. And you have the skill to be able to learn many more fingerpicking songs and even make up your own.

[Tomas]

That’s great! Good work Tim.

Two things for now…

Barre Chords for Everyone – start from the beginning. This will be the progressive part of your training. 

Monthly Practice Plan (Guitar Gym) – do one session each day. Read more about what’s going on here: https://realguitarsuccess.com/secret-weapon-2-the-guitar-gym/ (login first)

You’ll find access to the course and this month’s Practice Session on the Home Dashboard.

You’ll also have a link to the Practice Sessions in the weekly member email.

Tomas

[Tomas]

Welcome Tim. It’s great to have you here. I’m curious about what kinds of music you like? 

[Tomas]

Thanks for being the first one to join the discussion 

[Tomas]

Hi John… welcome!

I made you a short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZJ-2nXyn2M

Tomas

[Tomas]

Hi Arthur,

Thanks for your message. I’d be glad to help.

Unfortunately I don’t know how to find the lesson you’re referring to (there are many Fingerstyle lessons) You could include the URL to the lesson on this forum. Another way to do this would be to put the message in the comment field below the lesson. 

If it’s one of my older courses the workbook may be on the first page of the course. Let me know so I can keep yolu moving Arthur.

Tomas

[Tomas]

Hi Jim,

Welcome! I’ve made you a short video: https://www.loom.com/share/892b6c02d9a94fa9a4fbe474dc9cbfe5

Tomas

[Tomas]

Hi, Looks like you found the cancel button. Please let me know if I can help in any other way.

[Tomas]

Hi Marion,

Welcome! I made you a short video. Click the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ON-lPouxqs

Tomas

[Tomas]

Hey… that sounds like my first teacher 🙂

Sounds like you’re doing the right things so far. Please let me know when I can be of assistance.

-Tomas

[Tomas]

Hi Kipp! Tomas here… I made you a short video. Click below to watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7TfFI0vOKY

Take care,
Tomas

[Tomas]

Wow… congratulations! The “F” chord in no small feat. It’s actually more difficult than many of the other bar chords. Good work!

Thanks for sharing… made my day 🙂

[Author]

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