Hi, everyone. I wanted to start us off with a comment to get the ball rolling. I would LOVE it if you could leave a short comment introducing yourself to the other members. ο»ΏIβm Dan Thorpe, from Birmingham, UK (not Alabama!). I love fingerpicking – Paul Simon, James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel and about a gazillion others! My favourite thing about playing guitar is having some quiet time to play for myself (music is a great outlet for everything in life) and to jam with my 4 year old boy, Archie! I used to be terrible at guitar but after years… Read more »
Hey everyone, I would love to know what lessons you would like to learn. More on fingerpicking, Travis picking, chord changes, theory, jamming???… you name it, leave your ideas below!! This is the place to do so.
Hi Dan, I am an intermediate player, but am fascinated about finger style, and very anxious to get started. But i must admit i do struggle a bit with the dreaded Barr Chords, but am improving a bit. I am a Viet Nam vet, who suffers from PTSD, I am very private, so if you don’t hear much from me please understand. Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch. It`s great to have you here. Barre chords are tough but do make sure you take your time and use good technique with them.
No problem at all regarding being private and I hope you are doing well regarding the PTSD. Just know that the comments section and the mini-forum is there for you when needed. All the best.
Cool, for sure, let us know some more details. What sort of slaps and slides? The crazy stuff or solid on beats 2 and 4 type thing? What sort of guitarists have inspired this? (I ask, so I know I’m on the right path). π
No particular artist comes to mind but I would say on beats 2 and 4 nothing crazy (yet). Slapping all the strings I find okay, it’s the thumb slap I have trouble with on the low E A strings.
I have come across slaps in the odd piece of music, done right sounds amazing. Just something I would like to add to my repertoire.
Ah, okay cool, thanks for letting me know. The slaps on beats 2 and 4 are very cool. The grooves these can add are great. Will get something ready on this. π
If you would like to submit a video, you can add it to your comment by including a video LINK (for example, a YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox link). (Email Dan for help if you get stuck uploading a video)
YouTube and Vimeo links are the preferred video format. Make sure that your links are set to unlisted (not private!) and then only we will see it.
Hopefully, you have all noticed the new comments section at the bottom of each page in the DTAA! I would love for you to comment, ask questions and say “hi”!
rogercreagh
3 hours ago
I think I may have said this before but I have a real problem with my fretting pinkie. At some stage in life it must have got broken and I probably didn’t get it set properly but just stuck a plaster on it and carried on. T he result is that it is bent in towards the ring finger and slightly twisted, so although my hands are quite large it is really difficult to stretch it away from the ring finger onto the next fret down. Also it is quite weak for hammer-ons and even a folk G with ring… Read more »
Joseph k
21 hours ago
Hi Dan, thank you for helping all of us. I’m joseph from central Wisconsin. 61 years old. My farher tought me the basis cowboy chords when I was a kid. Been wanting to play my whole life tried piano when I was young, but quit cause it was very boring. Started really playing guitar about 3 years ago when my wife passed away. Lots of YouTube. Got some good stuff and skills. Im ready to put it together and have some direction. I love playing the blues, but also like to learn songs to play for people at campfire. Have… Read more »
Hi Joseph, great to have you here. Youβve already built up a lot on your own, so having some structure now should help you pull it together and keep moving forward. Blues and campfire songs are a great mix too. Really glad the style of teaching has clicked with you. Letβs go for sure! π
StewartJohnson
1 day ago
Hi Dan, Iβm 79 and have been playing on and off for decades, more off than on. Now that retirement is settling in (yeah it took awhile) I am ready to get back into playing. I picked this lesson course hoping it will help me get going again.
Hi Stewart, great to have you here. Sounds like now is a good time to give the guitar some proper attention again. Take the course steadily and let it help you rebuild the habit and confidence without trying to rush. Most of all, enjoy! π
MSWYN GALPIN
1 day ago
I have anchored with my pinky in the dim and distant past. Now, Iβm going to employ the magnetic hand technique!
That sounds like a good switch. The Magnetic Hand should help you keep the picking hand stable without relying on the pinky anchor. Give it a little time to feel natural and keep the movement relaxed. π
rogercreagh
2 days ago
Err – where have the past spotlight’s gone – last month I had august spotlight lesson but the past spotlight box is just empty. If I examine it it contains lines like this
<div class=”thrv_wrapper thrv_custom_html_shortcode” style=”” data-css=”tve-u-19b6135fdbf”></div>` but there is no content?????
I get the current (september) lesson ok but nothing else.
What is the link to last months spotlight lesson please
Hi Roger, thanks for the heads up. We’ve sorted it now so August’s Spotlight should be showing up for you now. Please let us know if any issues though. Thanks. π
MSWYN GALPIN
2 days ago
Hi, Iβm Wyn. Iβm just about to turn 70 years old and I want to celebrate this milestone by learning a new skill. I play classical piano and flute and now Iβm ready for guitar. So looking forward to learning lots.
Hi Wyn, great to have you here. That sounds like a brilliant way to mark turning 70. With your piano and flute background, youβll already have a strong musical foundation, so now itβs just a case of getting used to how the guitar works under the fingers. My son, Archie plays flute too. Love to hear him play π
MarieWeiss
2 days ago
Hi Dan and everyone, I’m Marie..
I picked the guitar up again after over 40 years last year & joined a lovely group class. Best thing, however, I would like more focussed learning, in small steps. Lots to learn with my main goal to accompany singing, to develop finger-picking & embelishments to basic strumming and learn more about theory along the way. I love learning alongside others at my own pace.
Hi Marie, great to have you here. It sounds like you already know exactly what you want from the guitar, especially more focused learning in small steps. Building fingerpicking, embellishments and theory is great too. Take it steadily and enjoy the process. π
rogercreagh
5 days ago
Really useful. The 2 minute challenge is a good addon once I got level 1 Em-Am clean for the ful 90secs. Now to move on to 2 & 3 for 4 repeats at the start of each practice session.
Cant find out how to download just the drum beat track to use standalone on repeat.
Great progress. Getting Level 1 clean for the full 90 seconds is a solid step, and using Levels 2 and 3 at the start of practice sounds like a good plan. As for the download, when you click the drum beat link (which is HERE), there should be 3 little dots by the play button. If you click that, you should see the download option. It may differ slightly on your browser. Any issues let us know. π
Ah my mistake, I was just looking at the embedded play button above which only gives a playback speed option on the three dots. Stupidly I hadn’t used the download link above that as I thought it was just the embedded one. Thanks you.
No worries at all. Easy done. Glad you found the download link and got it sorted. Enjoy. π
GaryWilson
6 days ago
Hi from New Zealand. Have been playing off and on for quite a number of years. I have always liked the character fingerpricking brings to a piece of music, but have never taken the time to participate on a planned journey. Thanks Dan for the opportunity to join you.
Hi Gary, great to have you here from New Zealand. Fingerpicking really does add something special, and having a clear path should help you build it properly this time. Enjoy the journey! π
JanStremme
6 days ago
Already feeling guilty – I have a trip coming up next week – be on the road for a week and don’t dare bring my guitar. All I will be able to do is visualize the workout. Thought about waiting to start this until after the course, but decided to jump in anyway. Thanks for the warm-up – it hits several areas very quickly and answers the “what do I do when I pick up the guitar?” question.
No guilt needed! You were right to jump in rather than wait for the perfect week. If youβre away without the guitar, visualising the workouts and lessons, and mentally running through the movements will still help keep it fresh. Then just pick it back up when youβre home. Really glad the warm-up is answering that βwhat do I practise?β question too. π
Glad you are enjoying the lesson and the drum beat. Keep us posted with how you get on using it. π
MarionTrueblood
7 days ago
Hello Greetings from Florida US. I am so excited about this course. I have been playing for a bit but now that I’m retired I am so excited about this course. Other courses I have tried to take in the past, throw everything at you all a once without a path. This seems and feels so much more organized and relaxed way to learn. Good luck everyone and let the sounds of music from around the world begin. Thank you Dan & your team!
Hi Marion, great to have you here and greetings to you in Florida! Iβm really glad the structure is already feeling different. Thatβs exactly the idea, a clear path without throwing everything at you at once. Enjoy working through it at your own pace. π
MarissaVarley
7 days ago
Hi I’m Marissa,Tried several online and bought enough books to start a bookshop with no real progress,only confusion and fustration. But at 72 decided on a last shot, so here goes
Hi Marissa, welcome. After trying that many different books and courses, I can understand the frustration. The good thing is you donβt need more information now, you need a clear path and a chance to stick with one approach long enough for it to work. Take it one step at a time and letβs see where this one takes you. π
LindaDepew
7 days ago
You’re right; most instructors don’t teach this. I’m sure I will have to do this exercise every time I pick up a guitar until my muscles unlearn the deathgrip, but my fingers will be grateful.
Good stuff. At first it can help to revisit it every time you pick up the guitar, even just for a minute or two, until that lighter pressure starts to become the new habit. Your fingers should definitely thank you for it. π
LindaDepew
7 days ago
Hi, I’m Linda. I feel like a perpetual beginner. I live in an area where it is hard to keep an instructor, so more than once I have found myself basically starting over. I was making progress with my last instructor, but when he moved away I decided it was time for a different approach. So here I am, hoping online instruction will finally be my path forward. I generally want to play for my own enjoyment, but if I reach a point of feeling comfortable at an occasional open mike, I won’t complain.
Hi Linda, great to have you here. Being forced to keep starting over would be frustrating, so hopefully having a clear path you can follow at your own pace will give you the consistency youβve been missing. Playing for your own enjoyment is a great goal, and if an open mic comes from that eventually, even better! π
ericrehbein
8 days ago
Hi Dan,
I’m Eric 76 years old living on Long Island, NY. Been picking up and putting down the guitar forever. I’m just a little bit beyond a new beginner, I’d like to get better, so I can sit in the shade in a park and play and not embarass myself. I’ve done lesson 1 and 2 so far, my goal is to practice 15 minutes twice a day.
Hi Eric, thatβs a great goal, and 15 minutes twice a day is plenty if you keep it focused. The main thing is consistency rather than trying to cram too much in at once. Youβve already got lessons 1 and 2 underway, so just keep building from there one step at a time. Before long, sitting in the shade and playing a few songs confidently will feel much more realistic. π
LoganHager
8 days ago
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EXACTLY what I need Dan! SO stoked about these lessons…. the only bad part about this is I will now have NO EXCUSES to not be able to do smooth chord changes!!! π π Cheers Buddy!!!
Haha, exactly! No excuses now π Really glad these lessons are hitting the mark. Keep them slow, relaxed and consistent and those chord changes will start to feel much smoother. Cheers! π
JamesMaguire
10 days ago
Iβm Jim and Iβm 80 and I live on Long Island 6 months and Florida 6 months.
Iβve tried guitar lessons and YouTube
lessons on and off for years but never
stuck with it until now.
Hi Jim, great to have you here. It sounds like youβve tried a few different routes over the years, so the fact youβre ready to stick with it now is the important part. Keep it simple, take it one step at a time, and enjoy the process. π
Jonty
10 days ago
I love this lesson! It just opens-up so many options. If only I could play it with more than about 10% of your fluidity!
Glad you enjoyed it! Donβt worry about the fluidity yet. Keep the movements slow and relaxed and it will come with repetition. : )
GerryVerdoorn
11 days ago
Iβm Gerry and am 74. I have been wanting to learn guitar for years. I have a 3 string for a number of years but am keen to learn on a six. Can I get access to day one again as I had limited time on the first lesson? I did practice the light touching and found that helpful.
Hi Gerry. Absolutely. You can go back to Day 1 and revisit it whenever you like, so thereβs no need to rush through the lessons. Iβm glad you found the light-touch exercise helpful too. Thatβs a really important foundation. Take your time with Day 1 and only move on when you feel ready. π
Jonty
12 days ago
Really tough trying to co-ordinate the hammer-ons, but will continue to practice. Great lesson!
Glad you like the lesson and don’t worry too much, I find with students, hammer-ons can be hit or miss for a while, and then they usually fall in to place. You will nail them. Keep at it. π
Paul
13 days ago
Hi Folks, Paul from Gloucestershire UK. Been messing around with guitar for a while – never really settled into a course that works. I’m sure this one will be different. Love the beauty of finger style acoustic playing, I’m excited to get started. The into videos and the 7-Day Transformation have been great. I’m approaching my 60th birthday and the best present ever would be to finally be able to learn and stick with acoustic guitar.
Hi Paul, great to have you here. It sounds like fingerstyle is exactly the direction you want to go in, and Iβm glad youβve enjoyed the intro videos and 7-Day Transformation so far. With your 60th coming up, thatβs a great goal to work towards. Keep taking it one step at a time and enjoy the process. π
I’ve mastered all the basic chords without looking and change quite quickly, My strumming is ok i can do 1/4 notes to 16th note patters ok, i do lack structure a set practice pattern. i’ve decided finger style is my new goal i just love the tone of the individual strings, obviously strumming is essential but i enjoy finger picking much more but ive got a long way to go with it.
It sounds like youβve already built a solid foundation, especially with chords and rhythm. If fingerstyle is what you enjoy most, Iβd definitely make that the focus now. The main thing you seem to need is a clearer practice structure so you can build your picking-hand control and coordination steadily. Keep enjoying the course and keep up the good practice. π
michaelmabey
13 days ago
Slow is the answer, I always go to fast., watching the video has shown me the correct way
Thanks Dan.
Glad to hear it, Michael. Slow works for sure. Makes practice more fun too. Keep up the good practice. π
ChristopherFleming
15 days ago
Iβm Chris and 78 years old. First self taught at 15 or so, but never got too far. Have had aspiration to relearn ever since. My wife has now bought me a nice new. Electro-acoustic guitar so no more excuses!
Hi Chris, welcome aboard. Pleased you are here and I hope you enjoy the course. Stick with it, enjoy the lessons and hopefully in a week or so (don’t rush) you’ll impress your wife with your playing. Mostly, enjoy the journey for yourself. π
BjørnTennfjord
15 days ago
Hi, BjΓΈrn there. Trying to pick up my guitar playing for the nth time.
Well done, David. I’ve added you to the Honours Board for Star 1. Keep up the good practice and keep going through the 5-Star Journey lessons. They will help you to not rely on looking as much. π
If you click “Download the TAB and notation” it should either open in your browser or download to your device. If nothing happens, let me know what device/browser youβre using and I can help you troubleshoot it.
KevinFloyd
16 days ago
Hi, won’t download
Don
17 days ago
no tab for Whiskey in a Jar for Superhuman Strumming video 3 despite direction to follow the tab
Hi Don, I just checked and the TAB is on the page here if you scroll down below the video – here’s a direct link to it. Let us know if that solves the issue. Thanks and enjoy. π
Francis
20 days ago
How can I condition my hand and fingers to barre? For example, playing Spanish Romance frets 5 and 8.
Leslie L Denning
20 days ago
After these lessons, I’m actually doing much better at barre chords. Thanks.
Super stuff, Leslie. Was there a particular tip or moment that helped? Delighted to hear it and well done with the progress you’ve made. π
DawnWaterhouse
20 days ago
Thank you. Excellent advice, and something that has held me back in developing my practice. How do you stop a finger leaning on a string below it? And also, how do you hold a finger cleanly with even pressure for a bar chord?
Thanks, Dawn. Pleased you enjoyed it and welcome aboard. To stop leaning on a string below, the posture you use is key. Also relaxing your fretting arm shoulder and allowing the elbow to move forward is key. Most people bend their wrist to compensate. I recommend you try the classical position if you can. Regarding barres, are you talking about the barre or other fingers? I often say practice barres by putting the barre finger on last – it allows you to adjust the other fingers and get them in the ideal spot. Both great questions and both often require… Read more »
Thank you. That is really helpful. I will have a play
DavidSmith
20 days ago
Hi Dan I went through the Star 1 items they were presented very good and informative and helped me with things you that you tend to forget did the assessments test and passed thank you Dan
Hi Scott, welcome aboard. You will no doubt enjoy the rhythm side of playing guitar then. So true, relaxed playing is key. Cheers and I hope you enjoy the rest of the course. π
StephenWhite
22 days ago
Hi Dan have got the first two patterns pretty well mastered, really struggling with the modern one tho just canβt seem to get the rhythm right just sounds disjointed and clunky, do I have to get everything perfect before I move on. Steve
Hi Steve, that’s great about the first two patterns. As for the Modern strum, don’t worry too much about it. A key thing to try is to hum and tap the rhythm, and then when you can do that along with me, think of strumming it as just applying what you tap and hum to the guitar. You are fine to move on, and you’ll likely find this will click when you revisit it in the future. The other two simpler strums will stand you in good stead. π
MicheleElliott
22 days ago
Useful lesson to start, this is definitely a good reminder as itβs easy to let tension sneak in for sure. Thanks for putting it in my mind
Good stuff, Michele. Thanks and pleased it helped you right away. Keep using this lesson in all your playing. It will serve you well. Cheers. π
rogercreagh
23 days ago
Good lesson and exercise, enjoyed it. But…I am very confused by the repeat markings in the tab and the seemingly different repeats when you play it. Looking at the Tab I see bar1 marked as repeated, then bars 2, 3 & 4 played as a block after the second bar 1 and the whole thing repeated then bar 5 added at the very end and finally the whole lot repeated. So in order bar numbers 1-1-2-3-4-1-1-2-3-4-5-1-1-2-3-4-1-1-2-3-4-5 Or am I misreading the repeat markers. My understanding is a bar starting with a thick bar line and 2 dots on A and… Read more »
Thanks, Roger. Just for clarity, what you mention is correct. In the actual performance piece, each bar is repeated. I notated it like as shown (showing the repeat of bar 1) mainly to emphasise that this is the main bar to practice. I will update the notation though. π
Delighted to hear it. Glad you enjoyed the continuous strum part and you had fun putting the Am pentatonic scale into good use. Keep it up π
Leslie L Denning
23 days ago
I’m actually doing a little better on barre chords than I thought I would. I’ve played them off and on for years, but got frustrated and set them aside. I really like the idea of the weighted arm.
Great to hear it, Leslie. That’s fantastic. It does go to show for anyone else reading, never to give up on barres fully. Often, a break and some improvements to your all-round technique can go a long way. Everyone can nail them. π
1127kat
23 days ago
Just to let you know Iβve no issues watching your video π
Great stuff, I hope you enjoy the lessons. Let us know how you get on. π
Altavan Eck
26 days ago
Hi everyone, I am Alta from South Africa, I am almost 70 years old, and this is the first time ever in my life that I try to do guitar. It really seems not too easy for me, but I am sure with time I will progress and enjoy playing on the guitar for me and my family!
Hi Alta, welcome aboard. It’s an exciting time for you. The guitar is a challenge and everyone struggles with it at first so please don’t worry. Be patient, follow the lessons and enjoy the journey. I wish you all the best with the course. Let us know if you have any questions at any point. π
JFPollozec
26 days ago
Bonjour tout le monde !
Guess what ! I am french, so excuse me for the weirs twisted sentenses I may write.
I have been a fingpicking player on my Ovation custom balladeer 50 years ago.
And now I prepare my retirement by restarting playing guitar and piano.
I live in Mayotte island, little tropical island between Madagascar and Africa, right at the opposite side of the world from Hawaii…
Bonjour and welcome. Your English is more than great so no worries there. I wish you all the best in your retirement and enjoy the course. Let us know if you have any questions. π
TimPayne
27 days ago
Hi. I’m Tim, 73yo. Never played guitar before and just decided to give it a go.
Hi Tim, welcome aboard. I hope you enjoy the course and do keep us posted with how you get on or if you have any questions. π
John
27 days ago
Dan, Hate I missed the live version, but I really enjoyed watching the August 2026 call. The information presented really supported our recent emails and helped ease my mind. This will definitely give me a lot of direction.
Great stuff, thanks, Rich. Pleased you enjoyed the process of building the solo and the rhythm work too. Keep up the good practice and hopefully it inspires your own solos. π
rogercreagh
29 days ago
Having quite large fingers I do find that quite often plucking the B string with the ring finger, or the G string with the index it will touch the next string up and mute it if its ringing or sound it slightly if it is open – any tips to help with this (aside from sticking my fingers in a pencil sharpener!!!)
Yes, definitely no pencil sharpener needed! Iβd experiment a little with the angle of your hand and fingers. Even a tiny change can give you more clearance from the neighbouring string. Try to pluck slightly away from the next string rather than across into it, and practise it slowly until you find the angle that feels clean and natural. There isnβt one perfect position for everyone, so a bit of experimenting here is key. π
rogercreagh
29 days ago
Its surprising how this actually works!. After a few times looking just at fretting, which gets easy if you remember to keep the picking hand close to strings since there is only one involved, then check the picking hand and fairly quickly you are playing without looking.
Great stuff, pleased to hear it, Roger. Love that you remembered to keep the picking hand close to the strings and you have made progress with this so quickly. Keep it up. π
Curious what other students have experienced with this course?
See their comments here βο»Ώ
Great tips Dan super duper π
Cheers, Angie. Glad to hear you like the lesson. Keep coming back to it too. π
Hi, everyone. I wanted to start us off with a comment to get the ball rolling. I would LOVE it if you could leave a short comment introducing yourself to the other members. ο»ΏIβm Dan Thorpe, from Birmingham, UK (not Alabama!). I love fingerpicking – Paul Simon, James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel and about a gazillion others! My favourite thing about playing guitar is having some quiet time to play for myself (music is a great outlet for everything in life) and to jam with my 4 year old boy, Archie! I used to be terrible at guitar but after years… Read more »
Hey everyone, I would love to know what lessons you would like to learn. More on fingerpicking, Travis picking, chord changes, theory, jamming???… you name it, leave your ideas below!! This is the place to do so.
Hi Dan, I am an intermediate player, but am fascinated about finger style, and very anxious to get started. But i must admit i do struggle a bit with the dreaded Barr Chords, but am improving a bit. I am a Viet Nam vet, who suffers from PTSD, I am very private, so if you don’t hear much from me please understand. Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch. It`s great to have you here. Barre chords are tough but do make sure you take your time and use good technique with them.
No problem at all regarding being private and I hope you are doing well regarding the PTSD. Just know that the comments section and the mini-forum is there for you when needed. All the best.
I would love to see some lessons on guitar slaps and slides please. That is if you possibly find time in your busy schedule.
Cool, for sure, let us know some more details. What sort of slaps and slides? The crazy stuff or solid on beats 2 and 4 type thing? What sort of guitarists have inspired this? (I ask, so I know I’m on the right path). π
No particular artist comes to mind but I would say on beats 2 and 4 nothing crazy (yet). Slapping all the strings I find okay, it’s the thumb slap I have trouble with on the low E A strings.
I have come across slaps in the odd piece of music, done right sounds amazing. Just something I would like to add to my repertoire.
Ah, okay cool, thanks for letting me know. The slaps on beats 2 and 4 are very cool. The grooves these can add are great. Will get something ready on this. π
If you would like to submit a video, you can add it to your comment by including a video LINK (for example, a YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox link). (Email Dan for help if you get stuck uploading a video)
YouTube and Vimeo links are the preferred video format. Make sure that your links are set to unlisted (not private!) and then only we will see it.
Post your video below…
Hopefully, you have all noticed the new comments section at the bottom of each page in the DTAA! I would love for you to comment, ask questions and say “hi”!
I think I may have said this before but I have a real problem with my fretting pinkie. At some stage in life it must have got broken and I probably didn’t get it set properly but just stuck a plaster on it and carried on. T he result is that it is bent in towards the ring finger and slightly twisted, so although my hands are quite large it is really difficult to stretch it away from the ring finger onto the next fret down. Also it is quite weak for hammer-ons and even a folk G with ring… Read more »
Hi Dan, thank you for helping all of us. I’m joseph from central Wisconsin. 61 years old. My farher tought me the basis cowboy chords when I was a kid. Been wanting to play my whole life tried piano when I was young, but quit cause it was very boring. Started really playing guitar about 3 years ago when my wife passed away. Lots of YouTube. Got some good stuff and skills. Im ready to put it together and have some direction. I love playing the blues, but also like to learn songs to play for people at campfire. Have… Read more »
Hi Joseph, great to have you here. Youβve already built up a lot on your own, so having some structure now should help you pull it together and keep moving forward. Blues and campfire songs are a great mix too. Really glad the style of teaching has clicked with you. Letβs go for sure! π
Hi Dan, Iβm 79 and have been playing on and off for decades, more off than on. Now that retirement is settling in (yeah it took awhile) I am ready to get back into playing. I picked this lesson course hoping it will help me get going again.
Hi Stewart, great to have you here. Sounds like now is a good time to give the guitar some proper attention again. Take the course steadily and let it help you rebuild the habit and confidence without trying to rush. Most of all, enjoy! π
I have anchored with my pinky in the dim and distant past. Now, Iβm going to employ the magnetic hand technique!
That sounds like a good switch. The Magnetic Hand should help you keep the picking hand stable without relying on the pinky anchor. Give it a little time to feel natural and keep the movement relaxed. π
Err – where have the past spotlight’s gone – last month I had august spotlight lesson but the past spotlight box is just empty. If I examine it it contains lines like this
<div class=”thrv_wrapper thrv_custom_html_shortcode” style=”” data-css=”tve-u-19b6135fdbf”></div>` but there is no content?????
I get the current (september) lesson ok but nothing else.
What is the link to last months spotlight lesson please
Thanks RogerCO
Hi Roger, thanks for the heads up. We’ve sorted it now so August’s Spotlight should be showing up for you now. Please let us know if any issues though. Thanks. π
Hi, Iβm Wyn. Iβm just about to turn 70 years old and I want to celebrate this milestone by learning a new skill. I play classical piano and flute and now Iβm ready for guitar. So looking forward to learning lots.
Hi Wyn, great to have you here. That sounds like a brilliant way to mark turning 70. With your piano and flute background, youβll already have a strong musical foundation, so now itβs just a case of getting used to how the guitar works under the fingers. My son, Archie plays flute too. Love to hear him play π
Hi Dan and everyone, I’m Marie..
I picked the guitar up again after over 40 years last year & joined a lovely group class. Best thing, however, I would like more focussed learning, in small steps. Lots to learn with my main goal to accompany singing, to develop finger-picking & embelishments to basic strumming and learn more about theory along the way. I love learning alongside others at my own pace.
Hi Marie, great to have you here. It sounds like you already know exactly what you want from the guitar, especially more focused learning in small steps. Building fingerpicking, embellishments and theory is great too. Take it steadily and enjoy the process. π
Really useful. The 2 minute challenge is a good addon once I got level 1 Em-Am clean for the ful 90secs. Now to move on to 2 & 3 for 4 repeats at the start of each practice session.
Cant find out how to download just the drum beat track to use standalone on repeat.
Great progress. Getting Level 1 clean for the full 90 seconds is a solid step, and using Levels 2 and 3 at the start of practice sounds like a good plan. As for the download, when you click the drum beat link (which is HERE), there should be 3 little dots by the play button. If you click that, you should see the download option. It may differ slightly on your browser. Any issues let us know. π
Ah my mistake, I was just looking at the embedded play button above which only gives a playback speed option on the three dots. Stupidly I hadn’t used the download link above that as I thought it was just the embedded one. Thanks you.
No worries at all. Easy done. Glad you found the download link and got it sorted. Enjoy. π
Hi from New Zealand. Have been playing off and on for quite a number of years. I have always liked the character fingerpricking brings to a piece of music, but have never taken the time to participate on a planned journey. Thanks Dan for the opportunity to join you.
Hi Gary, great to have you here from New Zealand. Fingerpicking really does add something special, and having a clear path should help you build it properly this time. Enjoy the journey! π
Already feeling guilty – I have a trip coming up next week – be on the road for a week and don’t dare bring my guitar. All I will be able to do is visualize the workout. Thought about waiting to start this until after the course, but decided to jump in anyway. Thanks for the warm-up – it hits several areas very quickly and answers the “what do I do when I pick up the guitar?” question.
No guilt needed! You were right to jump in rather than wait for the perfect week. If youβre away without the guitar, visualising the workouts and lessons, and mentally running through the movements will still help keep it fresh. Then just pick it back up when youβre home. Really glad the warm-up is answering that βwhat do I practise?β question too. π
A great new resource. Thanks!
Cheers, Jim. Pleased you like it. π
This is greatβ¦very useful. The backing drum beat that increases in speed is a nice touch!
Glad you are enjoying the lesson and the drum beat. Keep us posted with how you get on using it. π
Hello Greetings from Florida US. I am so excited about this course. I have been playing for a bit but now that I’m retired I am so excited about this course. Other courses I have tried to take in the past, throw everything at you all a once without a path. This seems and feels so much more organized and relaxed way to learn. Good luck everyone and let the sounds of music from around the world begin. Thank you Dan & your team!
Hi Marion, great to have you here and greetings to you in Florida! Iβm really glad the structure is already feeling different. Thatβs exactly the idea, a clear path without throwing everything at you at once. Enjoy working through it at your own pace. π
Hi I’m Marissa,Tried several online and bought enough books to start a bookshop with no real progress,only confusion and fustration. But at 72 decided on a last shot, so here goes
Hi Marissa, welcome. After trying that many different books and courses, I can understand the frustration. The good thing is you donβt need more information now, you need a clear path and a chance to stick with one approach long enough for it to work. Take it one step at a time and letβs see where this one takes you. π
You’re right; most instructors don’t teach this. I’m sure I will have to do this exercise every time I pick up a guitar until my muscles unlearn the deathgrip, but my fingers will be grateful.
Good stuff. At first it can help to revisit it every time you pick up the guitar, even just for a minute or two, until that lighter pressure starts to become the new habit. Your fingers should definitely thank you for it. π
Hi, I’m Linda. I feel like a perpetual beginner. I live in an area where it is hard to keep an instructor, so more than once I have found myself basically starting over. I was making progress with my last instructor, but when he moved away I decided it was time for a different approach. So here I am, hoping online instruction will finally be my path forward. I generally want to play for my own enjoyment, but if I reach a point of feeling comfortable at an occasional open mike, I won’t complain.
Hi Linda, great to have you here. Being forced to keep starting over would be frustrating, so hopefully having a clear path you can follow at your own pace will give you the consistency youβve been missing. Playing for your own enjoyment is a great goal, and if an open mic comes from that eventually, even better! π
Hi Dan,
I’m Eric 76 years old living on Long Island, NY. Been picking up and putting down the guitar forever. I’m just a little bit beyond a new beginner, I’d like to get better, so I can sit in the shade in a park and play and not embarass myself. I’ve done lesson 1 and 2 so far, my goal is to practice 15 minutes twice a day.
Hi Eric, thatβs a great goal, and 15 minutes twice a day is plenty if you keep it focused. The main thing is consistency rather than trying to cram too much in at once. Youβve already got lessons 1 and 2 underway, so just keep building from there one step at a time. Before long, sitting in the shade and playing a few songs confidently will feel much more realistic. π
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EXACTLY what I need Dan! SO stoked about these lessons…. the only bad part about this is I will now have NO EXCUSES to not be able to do smooth chord changes!!! π π Cheers Buddy!!!
Haha, exactly! No excuses now π Really glad these lessons are hitting the mark. Keep them slow, relaxed and consistent and those chord changes will start to feel much smoother. Cheers! π
Iβm Jim and Iβm 80 and I live on Long Island 6 months and Florida 6 months.
Iβve tried guitar lessons and YouTube
lessons on and off for years but never
stuck with it until now.
Hi Jim, great to have you here. It sounds like youβve tried a few different routes over the years, so the fact youβre ready to stick with it now is the important part. Keep it simple, take it one step at a time, and enjoy the process. π
I love this lesson! It just opens-up so many options. If only I could play it with more than about 10% of your fluidity!
Glad you enjoyed it! Donβt worry about the fluidity yet. Keep the movements slow and relaxed and it will come with repetition. : )
Iβm Gerry and am 74. I have been wanting to learn guitar for years. I have a 3 string for a number of years but am keen to learn on a six. Can I get access to day one again as I had limited time on the first lesson? I did practice the light touching and found that helpful.
Hi Gerry. Absolutely. You can go back to Day 1 and revisit it whenever you like, so thereβs no need to rush through the lessons. Iβm glad you found the light-touch exercise helpful too. Thatβs a really important foundation. Take your time with Day 1 and only move on when you feel ready. π
Really tough trying to co-ordinate the hammer-ons, but will continue to practice. Great lesson!
Glad you like the lesson and don’t worry too much, I find with students, hammer-ons can be hit or miss for a while, and then they usually fall in to place. You will nail them. Keep at it. π
Hi Folks, Paul from Gloucestershire UK. Been messing around with guitar for a while – never really settled into a course that works. I’m sure this one will be different. Love the beauty of finger style acoustic playing, I’m excited to get started. The into videos and the 7-Day Transformation have been great. I’m approaching my 60th birthday and the best present ever would be to finally be able to learn and stick with acoustic guitar.
Hi Paul, great to have you here. It sounds like fingerstyle is exactly the direction you want to go in, and Iβm glad youβve enjoyed the intro videos and 7-Day Transformation so far. With your 60th coming up, thatβs a great goal to work towards. Keep taking it one step at a time and enjoy the process. π
120
Well done! π
I’ve mastered all the basic chords without looking and change quite quickly, My strumming is ok i can do 1/4 notes to 16th note patters ok, i do lack structure a set practice pattern. i’ve decided finger style is my new goal i just love the tone of the individual strings, obviously strumming is essential but i enjoy finger picking much more but ive got a long way to go with it.
It sounds like youβve already built a solid foundation, especially with chords and rhythm. If fingerstyle is what you enjoy most, Iβd definitely make that the focus now. The main thing you seem to need is a clearer practice structure so you can build your picking-hand control and coordination steadily. Keep enjoying the course and keep up the good practice. π
Slow is the answer, I always go to fast., watching the video has shown me the correct way
Thanks Dan.
Glad to hear it, Michael. Slow works for sure. Makes practice more fun too. Keep up the good practice. π
Iβm Chris and 78 years old. First self taught at 15 or so, but never got too far. Have had aspiration to relearn ever since. My wife has now bought me a nice new. Electro-acoustic guitar so no more excuses!
Hi Chris, welcome aboard. Pleased you are here and I hope you enjoy the course. Stick with it, enjoy the lessons and hopefully in a week or so (don’t rush) you’ll impress your wife with your playing. Mostly, enjoy the journey for yourself. π
Hi, BjΓΈrn there. Trying to pick up my guitar playing for the nth time.
Hi BjΓΈrn, welcome aboard. Glad you are here and I hope you enjoy the course. Let’s make this the time it sticks! Let us know how you get on. π
Dan, I just passed the 1st Star test and have 2 finger picking songs I am practising though I still need to look at my fretting hand.
Well done, David. I’ve added you to the Honours Board for Star 1. Keep up the good practice and keep going through the 5-Star Journey lessons. They will help you to not rely on looking as much. π
If you click “Download the TAB and notation” it should either open in your browser or download to your device. If nothing happens, let me know what device/browser youβre using and I can help you troubleshoot it.
Hi, won’t download
no tab for Whiskey in a Jar for Superhuman Strumming video 3 despite direction to follow the tab
Hi Don, I just checked and the TAB is on the page here if you scroll down below the video – here’s a direct link to it. Let us know if that solves the issue. Thanks and enjoy. π
How can I condition my hand and fingers to barre? For example, playing Spanish Romance frets 5 and 8.
After these lessons, I’m actually doing much better at barre chords. Thanks.
Super stuff, Leslie. Was there a particular tip or moment that helped? Delighted to hear it and well done with the progress you’ve made. π
Thank you. Excellent advice, and something that has held me back in developing my practice. How do you stop a finger leaning on a string below it? And also, how do you hold a finger cleanly with even pressure for a bar chord?
Thanks, Dawn. Pleased you enjoyed it and welcome aboard. To stop leaning on a string below, the posture you use is key. Also relaxing your fretting arm shoulder and allowing the elbow to move forward is key. Most people bend their wrist to compensate. I recommend you try the classical position if you can. Regarding barres, are you talking about the barre or other fingers? I often say practice barres by putting the barre finger on last – it allows you to adjust the other fingers and get them in the ideal spot. Both great questions and both often require… Read more »
Thank you. That is really helpful. I will have a play
Hi Dan I went through the Star 1 items they were presented very good and informative and helped me with things you that you tend to forget did the assessments test and passed thank you Dan
Well done, Dewi. Added you to the Honours Board. Great stuff and pleased the process of going through it was helpful too. π
I’m 73 and haven’t picked up my guitar for 40 years. I am actually a drummer, bring relaxed is everything to keeping rhythm. Great insight thanks.
Hi Scott, welcome aboard. You will no doubt enjoy the rhythm side of playing guitar then. So true, relaxed playing is key. Cheers and I hope you enjoy the rest of the course. π
Hi Dan have got the first two patterns pretty well mastered, really struggling with the modern one tho just canβt seem to get the rhythm right just sounds disjointed and clunky, do I have to get everything perfect before I move on. Steve
Hi Steve, that’s great about the first two patterns. As for the Modern strum, don’t worry too much about it. A key thing to try is to hum and tap the rhythm, and then when you can do that along with me, think of strumming it as just applying what you tap and hum to the guitar. You are fine to move on, and you’ll likely find this will click when you revisit it in the future. The other two simpler strums will stand you in good stead. π
Useful lesson to start, this is definitely a good reminder as itβs easy to let tension sneak in for sure. Thanks for putting it in my mind
Good stuff, Michele. Thanks and pleased it helped you right away. Keep using this lesson in all your playing. It will serve you well. Cheers. π
Good lesson and exercise, enjoyed it. But…I am very confused by the repeat markings in the tab and the seemingly different repeats when you play it. Looking at the Tab I see bar1 marked as repeated, then bars 2, 3 & 4 played as a block after the second bar 1 and the whole thing repeated then bar 5 added at the very end and finally the whole lot repeated. So in order bar numbers 1-1-2-3-4-1-1-2-3-4-5-1-1-2-3-4-1-1-2-3-4-5 Or am I misreading the repeat markers. My understanding is a bar starting with a thick bar line and 2 dots on A and… Read more »
Thanks, Roger. Just for clarity, what you mention is correct. In the actual performance piece, each bar is repeated. I notated it like as shown (showing the repeat of bar 1) mainly to emphasise that this is the main bar to practice. I will update the notation though. π
We’ve now updated the TAB, Roger. )
Yay, that’s clearer, and I’ve now cracked it after a week away π
Brilliant, well done and keep enjoying it! π
I really enjoyed the continuous strum with the lead part. It was lots of fun. I’m also glad I got more practice on the Am pentatonic scale too.
Delighted to hear it. Glad you enjoyed the continuous strum part and you had fun putting the Am pentatonic scale into good use. Keep it up π
I’m actually doing a little better on barre chords than I thought I would. I’ve played them off and on for years, but got frustrated and set them aside. I really like the idea of the weighted arm.
Great to hear it, Leslie. That’s fantastic. It does go to show for anyone else reading, never to give up on barres fully. Often, a break and some improvements to your all-round technique can go a long way. Everyone can nail them. π
Just to let you know Iβve no issues watching your video π
Great stuff, I hope you enjoy the lessons. Let us know how you get on. π
Hi everyone, I am Alta from South Africa, I am almost 70 years old, and this is the first time ever in my life that I try to do guitar. It really seems not too easy for me, but I am sure with time I will progress and enjoy playing on the guitar for me and my family!
Hi Alta, welcome aboard. It’s an exciting time for you. The guitar is a challenge and everyone struggles with it at first so please don’t worry. Be patient, follow the lessons and enjoy the journey. I wish you all the best with the course. Let us know if you have any questions at any point. π
Bonjour tout le monde !
Guess what ! I am french, so excuse me for the weirs twisted sentenses I may write.
I have been a fingpicking player on my Ovation custom balladeer 50 years ago.
And now I prepare my retirement by restarting playing guitar and piano.
I live in Mayotte island, little tropical island between Madagascar and Africa, right at the opposite side of the world from Hawaii…
Bonjour and welcome. Your English is more than great so no worries there. I wish you all the best in your retirement and enjoy the course. Let us know if you have any questions. π
Hi. I’m Tim, 73yo. Never played guitar before and just decided to give it a go.
Hi Tim, welcome aboard. I hope you enjoy the course and do keep us posted with how you get on or if you have any questions. π
Dan, Hate I missed the live version, but I really enjoyed watching the August 2026 call. The information presented really supported our recent emails and helped ease my mind. This will definitely give me a lot of direction.
Glad you enjoyed the replay, John and very pleased it helped ease your mind too. Cheers. π
Really good lesson Dan. I enjoyed the end to end view of building a solo as well as seeing and being able to play the rythmn.
Great stuff, thanks, Rich. Pleased you enjoyed the process of building the solo and the rhythm work too. Keep up the good practice and hopefully it inspires your own solos. π
Having quite large fingers I do find that quite often plucking the B string with the ring finger, or the G string with the index it will touch the next string up and mute it if its ringing or sound it slightly if it is open – any tips to help with this (aside from sticking my fingers in a pencil sharpener!!!)
Yes, definitely no pencil sharpener needed! Iβd experiment a little with the angle of your hand and fingers. Even a tiny change can give you more clearance from the neighbouring string. Try to pluck slightly away from the next string rather than across into it, and practise it slowly until you find the angle that feels clean and natural. There isnβt one perfect position for everyone, so a bit of experimenting here is key. π
Its surprising how this actually works!. After a few times looking just at fretting, which gets easy if you remember to keep the picking hand close to strings since there is only one involved, then check the picking hand and fairly quickly you are playing without looking.
Great stuff, pleased to hear it, Roger. Love that you remembered to keep the picking hand close to the strings and you have made progress with this so quickly. Keep it up. π