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. ï»żIâm 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). đ
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. đ
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”!
LoganHager
8 hours ago
Hi Dan, Would it be possible to provide a printable chart or checklist of this plan? I did try to print this but it’s 15 pages and with the format there is missing information. As you know it’s been a rough start this year for my guitar playing and I am finally at the point where I can start getting back into a daily routine. It would be nice to print this plan out… What I’d like to do is use this as a morning routine over the next 30 days and then spend the other daily sessions for working… Read more »
Debbie Jo Mitchell
9 hours ago
Hi Dan. Iâm using your videos to help learn the songs, but am having a difficult time going back over parts that I wasnât clear on, or want to work on the following day. Either I have to start at the very beginning of the video, or pick it up where I left off, nothing in between. I use the scroll bar at the bottom of the video to back it up, but then it wonât play. I canât get it to play until I scroll back to where it left off, but thatâs not what I want it to… Read more »
For the near future – Can we email you one song at a time?
Thank you,
John
GraemeOdgers
18 hours ago
I noticed that you also had your thumb in the middle of the back of the neck of the guitar. I tried this and it helped but it is difficult not to grip the whole nack.
Touching the strings lightly seems easier with my thumb in the middle of the nck.
MichaelFuss
23 hours ago
I’m learning, enjoying the new position.
I’m a beginner, a year in.
StephenWhite
1 day ago
This was a great lesson struggled with arching my index finger enough so as to not muffle the high e string but with a bit of trial and error elbow/wrist adjustment I succeeded now I can play cleanly all th way through. Really chuffed.
CliffordNielson
2 days ago
Your âMinimum Pressure Requiredâ video was very helpful. The explanation was clear, accompanied by the physical demonstration (even humorous at times). Coming from a cello background, I’m not accustomed to having frets to adjust the string tone, but rather relying solely on finger pressure. Thanks for your help.
Jonty
3 days ago
Hi,
My name is Jonty. I live in the UK and want to get further than just playing the same old chords again and again. I would like to learn how to do finger-picking and just enjoy the guitar.
Hi Jonty, welcome aboard. You are in the right place. I hope you enjoy the course, and the new skills you’ll develop. Do let us know how you get on. đ
That’s great to know this helped already. A few small tweaks as mentioned here definitely helps. Keep it up. đ
JenniferCorrigan
3 days ago
Hi! Iâm Jenni. Iâm live in Lisbon. Iâve tried picking up the guitar many times over the years and always given up but this year Iâve really stuck with it and am completely in love with it Iâm not great at strumming and rhythm and I need to keep working on that but my favorite songs include fingerpicking. And I am a songwriter and my songs usually sound best fingerpicked, so Iâd like to work on this. It has been my ultimate goal of guitar playing. Also, Iâm 53 and arthritis is on its way so anything to help hold… Read more »
Hi Jenni, thanks for the comment and sharing your experiences. Delighted to see you here. It sounds like you’ve been having fun so far and I hope this course helps that go up a few levels. Keep enjoying your playing and do let us know how you get on. đ
JackKrantz
3 days ago
Hi Dan,
As you know, today was the first Monthly Call I attended. I really enjoyed it and find it very useful and helpful. It is great way to discuss the concerns and questions of other members and your help and tips.
Great stuff, Gary. I hope you found it helpful so far. Next up, I’d start the In Focus course and start choosing one song for your five song club. Let us know if you need help choosing. đ
Cindy
7 days ago
Love this first lesson! I wonder, do I have weird joints in my left hand, or does anyone else have trouble with the ring finger and pinky not wanting to work independent of each other? Placing the pinky down causes my ring finger to bend, especially after lifting the pinky, as in this exercise. Is there hope for me to “fix” this?
It’s very common. The fingers seem to have a mind of their own a lot of the time for sure. The key is to be aware of it (which you are – that’s great). Then slow the movements to a snail pace and focus on relaxing the troublesome finger. You will rebuild muscle memory this way and with focus, it often happens faster than you might think it will. Keep up the good practice. đ
Cindy
7 days ago
Hi All, Cindy here from Ohio. I’ve been learning guitar on and off for several years now. I’ve had several instructors, but have never found the right fit for me. I follow Dan on social media and really like his all encompassing tips. I haven’t played for about a year due to my husband becoming ill and I am his caregiver. It’s been a rough year with little time to pick up my guitar. The passion to learn is still here. I am realizing that playing, even for a short time, is helpful and comforting in every way to me.… Read more »
Hi Cindy, welcome aboard. Delighted to see you here. I love your passion for playing and I hope you manage to keep having some time to enjoy the guitar for yourself. All the best to you, and keep us posted with how you get on. đ
Michele
7 days ago
I was dubious about this course (I’m just naturally sceptical!) BUT WOW! Absolute game changer. I never realised that tension in my left hand was being carried through my entire body while playing.
Great stuff, Michelle. Pleased to hear it. I’m like you, sceptical about a lot of claims in the guitar world but delighted this surpassed your expectations. Enjoy being more relaxed and keep having fun with this course. đ
I love sound of slides! I actually plan on learning how to use an actual finger slide in the future. I know it will sound so awesome with my Danoelectro Resonator!!!!
Cool, yes, slides are super expressive. A finger slide on a resonator will be fun! đ
StephenWhite
8 days ago
Iâm really surprised and pleased to have scored 17 points in the quiz, I obviously know more than I thought, I have felt that I was making progress but this shows Iâve made more than I thought itâs also highlighted where my weaknesses are and what I need to work on.
Thanks Dan your course is obviously working for me. Steve
Well done, Steve. Yes, give yourself credit for that! It’s a nice feeling when you realise you have more knowledge than you thought. Great stuff. đ
Leslie L Denning
9 days ago
I felt that this lesson was very good for me. I have a lot of tension in my shoulder, but I don’t move my elbow forward as much as I should. I tried a C chord the way you showed it in the video, and it sounds much more clear and gets my first finger more on the tip instead of the side. Thanks.
Well done, guessing at this stage is fine as it gets you thinking about these things (and it’s certainly better than not doing it). You can always do the quizzes again for fun later. đ
PhillipHolloway
9 days ago
It’s been a long time since I had any thoughts on chord progressions, had to do some thinking.
Good stuff, Phillip. Glad to hear it got you thinking about these useful aspects of your playing. Well done with doing the quiz and keep up the good work. đ
Maciej
10 days ago
Hi, my name is Maciej, I’m from Poland. I’ve been playing a bit on and off for years, but this year I’ve got a plan to really get serious about guitar. Yesterday I came back home after heart surgery, so I’ll have plenty of time to practice.
Welcome, Maciej, glad to hear you are really looking to get into it with your playing now. All the best with your recovery from surgery and I hope this course gives you many hours of fun. Let us know how you get on. đ
RandyOliver
11 days ago
Hi Dan, Randy here from Maryland. I’m 67 and been playing way too long to be so bad and I’m hoping this course helps me iron out the rough spots. Looking forward to learning all I can from you and this course.
Hi Randy, welcome aboard. Glad you are here. I’m certain it will help as it has helped many in situations like yours. Enjoy the course and feel free to go through it more than once (you’ll get more out of it each time you do). Keep us posted with how you get on. đ
DeniseGillard
12 days ago
I really like that you have started including three levels of difficulty in the lessons. I think I’m going to have to spend a while on level 2 but it’s a really pretty piece and is fun to play!
Pleased to hear it. Yes, don’t rush. It’s tempting to want to complete each month’s lessons but enjoy the level that is comfortable for you, and you can always enjoy level 3 (or even parts of it) later. đ
GaryHarvey
12 days ago
I have not studied Cord Progression? One of first questions in Star 1 quiz
There’s no rush with the quizzes as you are very new here. Good stuff giving them a go though. Let us know if you want to study a little theory as there are resources I have that will help. đ
Leslie L Denning
12 days ago
Lots of good tips in these videos. I’m working on trying to read tab without looking at either hand. It’s challenging, but I know that I can do it.
That’s great. Yeah, it is hard at first and requires some willpower but I am very confident you will nail it too. đ
John McHugh
12 days ago
Dan, I find my middle & Index fingers always pulling up along with the ring finger & thumb when playing the Bass & high e strings. Sometimes they touch the string &make additional notes or just pull up away from the B & G strings.
Hi, John. One thing you can do is try making the movements in the air to see if you can move the fingers independently. This is actually good practice to get the fingers working smoothly. I hope that makes sense. đ
LoganHager
13 days ago
Hi Dan, I love these lessons… This is a beautiful piece, and it will be a challenge, but I love the way the other 3 lessons support it. Especially the musicality lesson… I know for me I am always wondering how to bring more musicality in my songs… I do not want to play like a robot! This lesson is very powerful to me because you explain how to bring out the musicality in such a great way. Then the 2 minute and 10X demonstrations really show what I need to do throughout this song, along with ANY song, to… Read more »
Hi Logan, thanks. Pleased you like it. I had a lot of fun finalising and tweaking this one. It’s been a bit of a go-to when relaxing with the guitar lately. I have no doubt you’ll enjoy it too, but also the musicality elements which of course, help to bring out more passion in all our playing (which you already do well, I must add). My pleasure and thanks for the kind words. đ
GaryHarvey
13 days ago
I have started different courses on the internet but leave them quickly. I have just left my job (retired) and want something I can do everyday. I have several guitars but know a few cords but can’t play a song. Looking forward to learning.
Welcome aboard, Gary. Delighted you are here, and I hope the SSLA will make guitar playing and your retirement an absolute blast. We will get you playing your first five songs soon enough. Any questions, let us know. We’re here to help. đ
Super stuff, David. Thanks and I hope you’re having lots of fun. đ
pol
14 days ago
this is my favourite song (the first one ) and i want to learn to play it. i dont even know the title of the song. i believe i can with the help of Dan.
Glad to hear it, John. Denise is a wonderful inspiration so I’m pleased this was useful. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your progress too. đ
Nigel
15 days ago
Hi Dan.
Joined the ‘group’ with the hope of finally learning to play guitar.
I often wondered whether I’d left my run too late now that I’m 70 but saw the advert & thought I’ve got nothing to lose.
Hard to know who to turn to for help in getting started & if spending 100’s of dollars on lessons would pay off. (I’m impatient)
I like a wide range of music from 60’s to some recent offerings including ballads, pop, blues, rock & classical.
Just starting day 3 of your reset course so will see how we go.
Hi Nigel, definitely not too late. I do have many students who start at a similar age. As long as you have the passion and patience, you will have a lot of fun and make plenty of progress. I hope this little course gets you going and if you have any questions, let us know. đ
TammyMcBride
16 days ago
That is a great lesson. I plan on going over that a lot, then maybe move it up the neck and do the same thing with different versions of those chords. Good stuff!
Dan, Have you ever considered offering lifetime access to SSLA since it is so foundational as well as a very strong reference to everything else you offer?
Good question, John. The SSLA is designed to give you a clear path and momentum first. Once people complete that path, there is a clear way to keep going with ongoing lessons and support for sure. đ
JamesNevins
17 days ago
Really enjoying your âmini masterclass- fretboard fireworksâ class! Finally having some actual music coming from my guitar! I wish I would have done this sooner! Thankyou, Dan!
Awesome stuff. Delighted to hear it and keep making that guitar sing. đ
Leslie L Denning
17 days ago
This is a great review of the previous lessons, with a few other gems thrown in. I’m starting to get the hang of a more relaxed position. I’m still not sure if I’m bending my wrist too much, and I plan on videoing myself to see if there is too much of a bend.
Glad to hear it, Leslie. Good idea videoing yourself. A little bend is okay, doesn’t have to be perfectly straight, but the key is not bending near the point it causes pain or strain on the wrist. đ
John McHugh
18 days ago
Hi Dan, So your arm is your only anchor when playing notes? You do not rest your palm on the bridge or anywhere else? Thanks for a very informative video & a reminder to keep hands/ fingers close at all times.
In general, this is not hard, but very challenging because I feel like you have to train your brain to remember. It reminds me of trying to move your right hand in a circle and move your left hand up and down at the same time. You can do it, but you may have to train your brain to really get it down and in order to remain consistent.
Yeah, what you mention is very true. Coordinating both hands and the concentration needed to keep it up is great for the brain. Playing guitar is super brain training as well as fun, of course. đ
Leslie L Denning
18 days ago
I enjoyed this lesson. I think I do pretty well with keeping tension out of my body. Probably the biggest issue I have is that I put a lot of pressure on my thumb, which I’m working on. Very good lesson. Thanks.
That’s great, Leslie. Awareness of tension is key and you do look relaxed when you play. It’s good you have spotted the thumb pressure. Definitely a good idea to keep working on relaxing that. Keep having fun. đ
JamesNevins
18 days ago
You make learning so cool! You really break down the notes on the strings! I am truly enjoying this course! Thanks, again!
Super stuff. Very pleased to hear it and I hope you keep enjoying the course. Keep up the progress. đ
John McHugh
18 days ago
Hi Dan, John from the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. I am 73 & just want to be able to play any of the songs that I love. I prefer rock music, but can listen to & enjoy softer music as well.
Hi John, welcome aboard. Great to hear from you. Those are great goals and this short course will give you some tools to aid you on the way. Enjoy. đ
StephenWhite
19 days ago
Hi Dan just started the foundation framework section it looked quite easy when you played it but itâs already highlighted a few things I need to work on, firstly not blocking the high e string and staying tension free, great lesson thanks. Steve
That’s great it has highlighted a few things already, Steve, and I’m pleased you are seeing some results so far. Keep up the great work and let us know how you get on. đ
John McHugh
19 days ago
Hi Dan, thank you for this course & that excellent lesson on finger pressure. I know I have always been pressing way to hard & some times make my skin on the finger move into the next string & causing it to mute. I want to ask you about hand/arm placement when strumming & or picking single notes on an acoustic.. Where should I place/anchor my hand when picking notes? I assume there is no need to anchor the hand when strumming.
Hi John, my pleasure and thanks for the kind words. I’m glad this is helping you already. That’s a great start. In terms of strumming, you’re right and there is no need to anchor. With picking, I prefer the hand to float as well. Keeping the picking hand close to the strings when picking helps. I touch on this in the course in a few days and go into it in more detail inside Fingerstyle 101. I hope you keep enjoying it. đ
Dan, I really like how you tend to cover the smallest detail when you are instructing. I laugh often when you go into detail about something I am thinking. This experience has been very rare with my other guitar training experience. Thank you for that!
Thanks very much for that, John. I try to cover the small details because they tend to be the things people are already thinking about. Glad itâs helping and keeping things enjoyable. đ
Dan, Just to be clear are you saying that most people work mainly on the In Focus Essentials Lessons first and then start knocking out the 5 stars and find tuning the In Focus Material and the additional lessons and practice?
Yes, thatâs right. Most people focus on the In Focus Essentials first, (especially those new to my lessons) and then work through the 5 star items while refining things with the additional lessons and practice. Thereâs no rush, take it step by step. đ
Leslie L Denning
20 days ago
I’m not sure how well I’m following these positioning tips, so I’ll have to use that exercise to improve my technique. I do know I have a problem getting the distal joint of my ring finger up in the air, and I’ve been working on it. I’m going to need to check my wrist positioning as well.
Thatâs a good way to look at it. Use the exercise as a guide and keep checking in with your wrist position. Small adjustments made consistently add up. đ
RyanVargo
21 days ago
Solid Course and inspiring! I am going to implement the 1 chord a day and see where it goes.
Glad youâre enjoying the course. One chord a day is a solid approach and keeps things manageable (and hopefully inspires more practice). Let us know how it goes. đ
Tim
21 days ago
I am 79 years old and have been playing on and off since my very early teens. My parents set me up with an instructor and a cheap Stella six string loaner. I now know why, but then it killed my fingers so the instructor switched me to âHawaiian guitarâ (same guitar played on my lap) using finger picks and metal slide. I enjoyed neither the songs nor the style and quit. I picked it up again at summer camp and have played on my own in fits and starts, self taught, ever since. I recently joined a song circle… Read more »
Hi Tim, thank you for sharing your story. Itâs great to hear that a proper setup has already made things easier on your hands. Reducing finger pressure is absolutely something to nail, and fingerpicking can be adapted to suit you as well. Enjoy the course. Youâre very welcome here. đ
Great tips Dan super duper đ
Cheers, Angie. Glad to hear you like the lesson. Keep coming back to it too. đ
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. ï»żIâm 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). đ
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. đ
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”!
Hi Dan, Would it be possible to provide a printable chart or checklist of this plan? I did try to print this but it’s 15 pages and with the format there is missing information. As you know it’s been a rough start this year for my guitar playing and I am finally at the point where I can start getting back into a daily routine. It would be nice to print this plan out… What I’d like to do is use this as a morning routine over the next 30 days and then spend the other daily sessions for working… Read more »
Hi Dan. Iâm using your videos to help learn the songs, but am having a difficult time going back over parts that I wasnât clear on, or want to work on the following day. Either I have to start at the very beginning of the video, or pick it up where I left off, nothing in between. I use the scroll bar at the bottom of the video to back it up, but then it wonât play. I canât get it to play until I scroll back to where it left off, but thatâs not what I want it to… Read more »
Hey Dan,
For the near future – Can we email you one song at a time?
Thank you,
John
I noticed that you also had your thumb in the middle of the back of the neck of the guitar. I tried this and it helped but it is difficult not to grip the whole nack.
Touching the strings lightly seems easier with my thumb in the middle of the nck.
I’m learning, enjoying the new position.
I’m a beginner, a year in.
This was a great lesson struggled with arching my index finger enough so as to not muffle the high e string but with a bit of trial and error elbow/wrist adjustment I succeeded now I can play cleanly all th way through. Really chuffed.
Your âMinimum Pressure Requiredâ video was very helpful. The explanation was clear, accompanied by the physical demonstration (even humorous at times). Coming from a cello background, I’m not accustomed to having frets to adjust the string tone, but rather relying solely on finger pressure. Thanks for your help.
Hi,
My name is Jonty. I live in the UK and want to get further than just playing the same old chords again and again. I would like to learn how to do finger-picking and just enjoy the guitar.
Hi Jonty, welcome aboard. You are in the right place. I hope you enjoy the course, and the new skills you’ll develop. Do let us know how you get on. đ
Thank you. I think the hardest thing at the moment is getting used-to the guitar on my left leg!
You are so right about the whispering on plucking when picking in the rock position! Already helpful. Thank you!
That’s great to know this helped already. A few small tweaks as mentioned here definitely helps. Keep it up. đ
Hi! Iâm Jenni. Iâm live in Lisbon. Iâve tried picking up the guitar many times over the years and always given up but this year Iâve really stuck with it and am completely in love with it Iâm not great at strumming and rhythm and I need to keep working on that but my favorite songs include fingerpicking. And I am a songwriter and my songs usually sound best fingerpicked, so Iâd like to work on this. It has been my ultimate goal of guitar playing. Also, Iâm 53 and arthritis is on its way so anything to help hold… Read more »
Hi Jenni, thanks for the comment and sharing your experiences. Delighted to see you here. It sounds like you’ve been having fun so far and I hope this course helps that go up a few levels. Keep enjoying your playing and do let us know how you get on. đ
Hi Dan,
As you know, today was the first Monthly Call I attended. I really enjoyed it and find it very useful and helpful. It is great way to discuss the concerns and questions of other members and your help and tips.
Hi Jack, delighted to hear it. Really great how members all share experiences and very much enjoyed hearing you get involved and sharing too. đ
I listened to the Welcome and did the Kickstart Lesson. What should I do next???
Great stuff, Gary. I hope you found it helpful so far. Next up, I’d start the In Focus course and start choosing one song for your five song club. Let us know if you need help choosing. đ
Love this first lesson! I wonder, do I have weird joints in my left hand, or does anyone else have trouble with the ring finger and pinky not wanting to work independent of each other? Placing the pinky down causes my ring finger to bend, especially after lifting the pinky, as in this exercise. Is there hope for me to “fix” this?
It’s very common. The fingers seem to have a mind of their own a lot of the time for sure. The key is to be aware of it (which you are – that’s great). Then slow the movements to a snail pace and focus on relaxing the troublesome finger. You will rebuild muscle memory this way and with focus, it often happens faster than you might think it will. Keep up the good practice. đ
Hi All, Cindy here from Ohio. I’ve been learning guitar on and off for several years now. I’ve had several instructors, but have never found the right fit for me. I follow Dan on social media and really like his all encompassing tips. I haven’t played for about a year due to my husband becoming ill and I am his caregiver. It’s been a rough year with little time to pick up my guitar. The passion to learn is still here. I am realizing that playing, even for a short time, is helpful and comforting in every way to me.… Read more »
Hi Cindy, welcome aboard. Delighted to see you here. I love your passion for playing and I hope you manage to keep having some time to enjoy the guitar for yourself. All the best to you, and keep us posted with how you get on. đ
I was dubious about this course (I’m just naturally sceptical!) BUT WOW! Absolute game changer. I never realised that tension in my left hand was being carried through my entire body while playing.
Great stuff, Michelle. Pleased to hear it. I’m like you, sceptical about a lot of claims in the guitar world but delighted this surpassed your expectations. Enjoy being more relaxed and keep having fun with this course. đ
Maybe you should impersonate Uncle Fester on one of your SSLA T shirts? đ
Haha, that would be great. If/when I do the t-shirts that will be a great idea to go on them. đ
I love sound of slides! I actually plan on learning how to use an actual finger slide in the future. I know it will sound so awesome with my Danoelectro Resonator!!!!
Cool, yes, slides are super expressive. A finger slide on a resonator will be fun! đ
Iâm really surprised and pleased to have scored 17 points in the quiz, I obviously know more than I thought, I have felt that I was making progress but this shows Iâve made more than I thought itâs also highlighted where my weaknesses are and what I need to work on.
Thanks Dan your course is obviously working for me. Steve
Well done, Steve. Yes, give yourself credit for that! It’s a nice feeling when you realise you have more knowledge than you thought. Great stuff. đ
I felt that this lesson was very good for me. I have a lot of tension in my shoulder, but I don’t move my elbow forward as much as I should. I tried a C chord the way you showed it in the video, and it sounds much more clear and gets my first finger more on the tip instead of the side. Thanks.
Super stuff, Leslie. Small tweaks make a big difference for sure! That’s wonderful. Well done to you making the change and keep it up. đ
This is getting a lot harder, scored 18 out of 20 but I had to guess on some of the questions
Well done, guessing at this stage is fine as it gets you thinking about these things (and it’s certainly better than not doing it). You can always do the quizzes again for fun later. đ
It’s been a long time since I had any thoughts on chord progressions, had to do some thinking.
Good stuff, Phillip. Glad to hear it got you thinking about these useful aspects of your playing. Well done with doing the quiz and keep up the good work. đ
Hi, my name is Maciej, I’m from Poland. I’ve been playing a bit on and off for years, but this year I’ve got a plan to really get serious about guitar. Yesterday I came back home after heart surgery, so I’ll have plenty of time to practice.
Welcome, Maciej, glad to hear you are really looking to get into it with your playing now. All the best with your recovery from surgery and I hope this course gives you many hours of fun. Let us know how you get on. đ
Hi Dan, Randy here from Maryland. I’m 67 and been playing way too long to be so bad and I’m hoping this course helps me iron out the rough spots. Looking forward to learning all I can from you and this course.
Hi Randy, welcome aboard. Glad you are here. I’m certain it will help as it has helped many in situations like yours. Enjoy the course and feel free to go through it more than once (you’ll get more out of it each time you do). Keep us posted with how you get on. đ
I really like that you have started including three levels of difficulty in the lessons. I think I’m going to have to spend a while on level 2 but it’s a really pretty piece and is fun to play!
Pleased to hear it. Yes, don’t rush. It’s tempting to want to complete each month’s lessons but enjoy the level that is comfortable for you, and you can always enjoy level 3 (or even parts of it) later. đ
I have not studied Cord Progression? One of first questions in Star 1 quiz
There’s no rush with the quizzes as you are very new here. Good stuff giving them a go though. Let us know if you want to study a little theory as there are resources I have that will help. đ
Lots of good tips in these videos. I’m working on trying to read tab without looking at either hand. It’s challenging, but I know that I can do it.
That’s great. Yeah, it is hard at first and requires some willpower but I am very confident you will nail it too. đ
Dan, I find my middle & Index fingers always pulling up along with the ring finger & thumb when playing the Bass & high e strings. Sometimes they touch the string &make additional notes or just pull up away from the B & G strings.
Hi, John. One thing you can do is try making the movements in the air to see if you can move the fingers independently. This is actually good practice to get the fingers working smoothly. I hope that makes sense. đ
Hi Dan, I love these lessons… This is a beautiful piece, and it will be a challenge, but I love the way the other 3 lessons support it. Especially the musicality lesson… I know for me I am always wondering how to bring more musicality in my songs… I do not want to play like a robot! This lesson is very powerful to me because you explain how to bring out the musicality in such a great way. Then the 2 minute and 10X demonstrations really show what I need to do throughout this song, along with ANY song, to… Read more »
Hi Logan, thanks. Pleased you like it. I had a lot of fun finalising and tweaking this one. It’s been a bit of a go-to when relaxing with the guitar lately. I have no doubt you’ll enjoy it too, but also the musicality elements which of course, help to bring out more passion in all our playing (which you already do well, I must add). My pleasure and thanks for the kind words. đ
I have started different courses on the internet but leave them quickly. I have just left my job (retired) and want something I can do everyday. I have several guitars but know a few cords but can’t play a song. Looking forward to learning.
Welcome aboard, Gary. Delighted you are here, and I hope the SSLA will make guitar playing and your retirement an absolute blast. We will get you playing your first five songs soon enough. Any questions, let us know. We’re here to help. đ
Very informative videos and helpful Thanks Dan
Super stuff, David. Thanks and I hope you’re having lots of fun. đ
this is my favourite song (the first one ) and i want to learn to play it. i dont even know the title of the song. i believe i can with the help of Dan.
Glad to hear it. Enjoy the journey and I hope you have lots of fun. đ
Very good interview! This totally sounds like my story. I plan to continue so that I can “Denise Gillard” my Guitar Journey đ
Glad to hear it, John. Denise is a wonderful inspiration so I’m pleased this was useful. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your progress too. đ
Hi Dan.
Joined the ‘group’ with the hope of finally learning to play guitar.
I often wondered whether I’d left my run too late now that I’m 70 but saw the advert & thought I’ve got nothing to lose.
Hard to know who to turn to for help in getting started & if spending 100’s of dollars on lessons would pay off. (I’m impatient)
I like a wide range of music from 60’s to some recent offerings including ballads, pop, blues, rock & classical.
Just starting day 3 of your reset course so will see how we go.
Hi Nigel, definitely not too late. I do have many students who start at a similar age. As long as you have the passion and patience, you will have a lot of fun and make plenty of progress. I hope this little course gets you going and if you have any questions, let us know. đ
That is a great lesson. I plan on going over that a lot, then maybe move it up the neck and do the same thing with different versions of those chords. Good stuff!
Great stuff, Tammy. Glad to hear it. Sounds like a top plan and enjoy! đ
Dan, Have you ever considered offering lifetime access to SSLA since it is so foundational as well as a very strong reference to everything else you offer?
Good question, John. The SSLA is designed to give you a clear path and momentum first. Once people complete that path, there is a clear way to keep going with ongoing lessons and support for sure. đ
Really enjoying your âmini masterclass- fretboard fireworksâ class! Finally having some actual music coming from my guitar! I wish I would have done this sooner! Thankyou, Dan!
Awesome stuff. Delighted to hear it and keep making that guitar sing. đ
This is a great review of the previous lessons, with a few other gems thrown in. I’m starting to get the hang of a more relaxed position. I’m still not sure if I’m bending my wrist too much, and I plan on videoing myself to see if there is too much of a bend.
Glad to hear it, Leslie. Good idea videoing yourself. A little bend is okay, doesn’t have to be perfectly straight, but the key is not bending near the point it causes pain or strain on the wrist. đ
Hi Dan, So your arm is your only anchor when playing notes? You do not rest your palm on the bridge or anywhere else? Thanks for a very informative video & a reminder to keep hands/ fingers close at all times.
Sorry Dan, I didn’t realise you were going to mention all of that in the next video. Thanks for all your help mate.
No problem, John, and glad the video covered that for you. My pleasure and keep enjoying it. đ
In general, this is not hard, but very challenging because I feel like you have to train your brain to remember. It reminds me of trying to move your right hand in a circle and move your left hand up and down at the same time. You can do it, but you may have to train your brain to really get it down and in order to remain consistent.
Yeah, what you mention is very true. Coordinating both hands and the concentration needed to keep it up is great for the brain. Playing guitar is super brain training as well as fun, of course. đ
I enjoyed this lesson. I think I do pretty well with keeping tension out of my body. Probably the biggest issue I have is that I put a lot of pressure on my thumb, which I’m working on. Very good lesson. Thanks.
That’s great, Leslie. Awareness of tension is key and you do look relaxed when you play. It’s good you have spotted the thumb pressure. Definitely a good idea to keep working on relaxing that. Keep having fun. đ
You make learning so cool! You really break down the notes on the strings! I am truly enjoying this course! Thanks, again!
Super stuff. Very pleased to hear it and I hope you keep enjoying the course. Keep up the progress. đ
Hi Dan, John from the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. I am 73 & just want to be able to play any of the songs that I love. I prefer rock music, but can listen to & enjoy softer music as well.
Hi John, welcome aboard. Great to hear from you. Those are great goals and this short course will give you some tools to aid you on the way. Enjoy. đ
Hi Dan just started the foundation framework section it looked quite easy when you played it but itâs already highlighted a few things I need to work on, firstly not blocking the high e string and staying tension free, great lesson thanks. Steve
That’s great it has highlighted a few things already, Steve, and I’m pleased you are seeing some results so far. Keep up the great work and let us know how you get on. đ
Hi Dan, thank you for this course & that excellent lesson on finger pressure. I know I have always been pressing way to hard & some times make my skin on the finger move into the next string & causing it to mute. I want to ask you about hand/arm placement when strumming & or picking single notes on an acoustic.. Where should I place/anchor my hand when picking notes? I assume there is no need to anchor the hand when strumming.
Hi John, my pleasure and thanks for the kind words. I’m glad this is helping you already. That’s a great start. In terms of strumming, you’re right and there is no need to anchor. With picking, I prefer the hand to float as well. Keeping the picking hand close to the strings when picking helps. I touch on this in the course in a few days and go into it in more detail inside Fingerstyle 101. I hope you keep enjoying it. đ
Dan, I really like how you tend to cover the smallest detail when you are instructing. I laugh often when you go into detail about something I am thinking. This experience has been very rare with my other guitar training experience. Thank you for that!
Thanks very much for that, John. I try to cover the small details because they tend to be the things people are already thinking about. Glad itâs helping and keeping things enjoyable. đ
Dan, Just to be clear are you saying that most people work mainly on the In Focus Essentials Lessons first and then start knocking out the 5 stars and find tuning the In Focus Material and the additional lessons and practice?
Yes, thatâs right. Most people focus on the In Focus Essentials first, (especially those new to my lessons) and then work through the 5 star items while refining things with the additional lessons and practice. Thereâs no rush, take it step by step. đ
I’m not sure how well I’m following these positioning tips, so I’ll have to use that exercise to improve my technique. I do know I have a problem getting the distal joint of my ring finger up in the air, and I’ve been working on it. I’m going to need to check my wrist positioning as well.
Thatâs a good way to look at it. Use the exercise as a guide and keep checking in with your wrist position. Small adjustments made consistently add up. đ
Solid Course and inspiring! I am going to implement the 1 chord a day and see where it goes.
Glad youâre enjoying the course. One chord a day is a solid approach and keeps things manageable (and hopefully inspires more practice). Let us know how it goes. đ
I am 79 years old and have been playing on and off since my very early teens. My parents set me up with an instructor and a cheap Stella six string loaner. I now know why, but then it killed my fingers so the instructor switched me to âHawaiian guitarâ (same guitar played on my lap) using finger picks and metal slide. I enjoyed neither the songs nor the style and quit. I picked it up again at summer camp and have played on my own in fits and starts, self taught, ever since. I recently joined a song circle… Read more »
Hi Tim, thank you for sharing your story. Itâs great to hear that a proper setup has already made things easier on your hands. Reducing finger pressure is absolutely something to nail, and fingerpicking can be adapted to suit you as well. Enjoy the course. Youâre very welcome here. đ
More good stuff! Definitely going to make a strong tenacious effort to covert to these techniques!
Glad to hear it, John. Keep up the great practice. đ