[Tomas]

Hi John. It’s nice to hear from you.

When I arrange a piece for solo guitar it’s not meant to line up exactly with the words. This would apply to most solo pieces if not all. It has to do with the whole arranging process and what it takes to make it sound good as a solo piece.

That said you can certainly play a fingerpicking pattern (not the same as SOLO guitar) and sing the words.

If you’d like I can create a lesson to play and sing the song. I’d start with a simple strum and the chords, then add a fingerpicking pattern that would replace the strum.

It’ll take me a little while to get to it but I’ll move it to the top of my list.

Let me know if that would help.

[Tomas]

Hi David,

You got it. I made all to ones in RGS101 downloadable. My assistant is working on the ones in RGS102 as well. They should be good to go when you get there.

Take care,

Tomas

[Tomas]

Great questions. Part of what the practice plans are designed to do is to reveal opportunities. It looks like that’s just what it’s done.1. In the key of G the chord progression is G – D – Em – C (no Am). 2. Both versions of C are good. The version I use here is more common in modern pop music.3. In the key of D the 5 chord is A. I actually teach students to count on their fingers… D, E, F, G A. I think you’re overshooting by one. That should solve that problem.But now for the opportunity…All of these questions are dealt with in the Beginner’s Journey, the last few Adventures. More importantly, you’ll get a chance to practice and use some of these things… including this form of C (also called Cadd9). If you’re interested in how this works you may want to do these lessons:Real Guitar U > Practice Library > Guitar TheoryYou’ll find these 5 lessons start simple but you’ll end up having a great foundation to build on. And more information so you can has more great questions.

[Tomas]

Thanks for adding your experience to the knowledge pool Shulamit. I second the Elixir strings. They are good strings.

[Tomas]

Hi Tim, I made you a short video: https://www.loom.com/share/ef98adb87e634eb39b289b452d9353ce

[Tomas]

Hi Mike,

I made you a short video: https://www.loom.com/share/04b40464390a4e7287d0d89b61ceb9cf

[Tomas]

Hi Paul,

I’ve created a short post for you to read: Acoustic Guitar Amps under $400

[Tomas]

Hi Paul,

I hope you and your family are healthy. I’ve canceled the membership for you. You have access until May 18.

Tomas

[Tomas]

Hi Richard,

I’m not quite understanding… What do you mean your fingers tell you? Could you explain a little differently?

[Tomas]

Thanks Jack!

[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

[Author]

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