1 Reply by 1StSteven

(53 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hi,


I am 49 and have been playing for 14 months, the past 7 with a teacher.  Initially, I thought the '<b>F</b>' chord was appropriately named until I upgraded from an old Yamaha w/warped neck to a Guild GAD50E.  Since, 'F' has almost been as easy as an Am.  However, I am still drowning in Barre chords. Words cannot describe how frustrating this is.


As I posted separately, in my youth I broke my left wrist 2X and ring finger on fret hand-which healed quite curved to the middle finger.  Finally, I have osteoarthritis in my left thumb (fret hand).  I have struggled to the point of quitting altogether because I cannot seem to be able to form even the simple barre chords.  Occasionally, I can make all the notes ring, but it takes an eternity to form a barre chord and afterwards my wrist, hand and thumb are aching.  I practice fanatically but feel that I've gotten worse the past 7 weeks as opposed to just making no progress at all.


My teacher is an excellent classical guitarist and insists that I use classical guitar form & barre chords.  I feel <b>totally retarded </b>because I cannot.  Even when I try to hold the guitar in this style, I cannot control it.  I have a lesson tonight.  I will likely quit lessons tonight (my wife is beginning tonight, but she is a surgeon and has great hands/coordination).


At times I felt like I was really going to learn to play the guitar, but now have real doubts.  I've ordered some fingerstyle books and will continue this uphill road alone when they arrive.  Has anyone else ever just completely hit a brick wall when trying to play barre chords & does it ever get better (if you are as bad as I am now).


Will all teachers think I'm copping out if I tell them I just cannot play barre chords?


I'd dearly love to play even the easiest songs by America, John Denver, John Prine (Paradise) but especially the Grateful Dead.


StSteven

Go to forum: Acoustic

2 Reply by 1StSteven

(12 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Well, I really don't understand (yet) about abreviating and changing chords on the fly, but I'm sure I can pick it up in time.


Another physical flaw I failed to mention is on my fret hand, my ring finger is quite curved toward the middle finger, from the joint nearest the fingertip compliments of a flag football game back in the 1900's.  When I close this hand, there is a good 3/8" gap between the ring finger and pinky. This adds to the frustration of trying to barre.  On the Dm7 (among others) my ring finger is closer to the 6th fret than the 7th (thud).  Also, I cannot hold an A chord with fingers 2-4.  But, I can bar it with my index finger and also with fingers 1-3.


So why I have not always yearned to play trumpet rather than guitar?  Sure would make reaching the goal more certain.  But to me there is nothing as sweet as the sound of an acoustic guitar.


I would love to be able to play at least a couple of songs now while working thru the books I ordered.  Are the songs below too much for a beginner?  If not how do I figure how to play them fingerstyle?  Seeing the chords alone doesn't tell me too much.  Will PIMI, inside/outside work?


Big Rock Candy Mountain

Paradise (John Prine)

Wildwood Flower

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Tennessee Stud


Steven

Go to forum: Acoustic

3 Reply by 1StSteven

(12 replies, posted in Acoustic)

<img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy">

Oubaas,


Incredible info.  Likely, I'm not going to continue taking lessons.  It has really put a lot of stress on me trying to do the barre chords and my thumb will only get worse.  I can take enough ibuprofen as long as I'm not trying to do barre chords.


You have no idea how helpful you've been.  Inside/outside?  About the only thing I know about fingerpicking is the classical PIMI.


Well, I just got home from work, walked the dogs and now it is guitar time - one of the highlights of my day.  More later.  I can't wait to try the Box of Rain


What/when were you in South Africa?


Steven

Go to forum: Acoustic

4 Reply by 1StSteven

(12 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Oubass,


Thank you so much for your encouragement and book advice.  I just ordered the following:


"Guitar Chords and Scales: An Easy Reference for Acoustic or Electric Guitar" Hal Leonard Corp.; Paperback; $5.95


"The Art of Contemporary Travis Picking: How to Play the Alternating Bass Fingerpicking Style (Bk & CD)" Mark D. Hanson; Paperback; $14.16


"The Art of Solo Fingerpicking : How to Play Alternating-Bass Fingerstyle Guitar Solos (book and CD) (Guitar Books)" Mark Hanson; Paperback; $14.16



I have been playing with the chords of 'Box of Rain' for most of my limited self-taught time.  Do you fingerpick this song?  I'd love to know how.  As for singing, I don't really have too much interest in that.  I've been told my voice sounds like Robert Hunter's (song writer for the Dead).


I'd really hate to quit taking lessons so soon.  But last night I tried unsuccessfully for about 45 minutes to play some 'easy' barre chords my teacher gave me for this weeks lesson. Frustrated, I finally gave up, exhausting my left hand/thumb and my attitude!  Can I learn to play well without an instructor or do I just need to find a teacher who is willing to teach to the level of my physical ability?  I fear if I continue butting my head up against my real physical limitation wall, I will quit altogether.  This would be a personal tradegy.  14 months ago at age 48, I told myself that it was now or never and have practiced 20 - 75+ minutes almost every day since.  I've not taken a day off since before Christmas.


I really want to play, fingerstyle or otherwise.  I have a Guild GAD50E acoustic/electric.  For Christmas, my wife bought me a Gibson SG standard electric even though I have a long way to go to being able to play.???


Any ideas, advice and encouragement will be greatly appreciated.


Steven

Go to forum: Acoustic

5 Topic by 1StSteven

(12 replies, posted in Acoustic)

<font face="Arial"></font><font size="7"></font>


Hi / Help:


I'm 49 years old and picked up acoustic guitar about 14 months ago despite having broken my left wrist 2X in my youth and having degenerative arthritis in my left thumb (I'm right handed).  The first 12 months I did w/out a teacher.  Have been taking lessons for 7 weeks from a musical genius (plays all from: piano, sax, trumpet, guitar) whose fav instument is CLASSICAL GUITAR.  I just had my 2nd cortisone shot in my left thumb in 9 months.  Doc says no more shots, next time it will be surgery. My guitar teacher insists that I try to play barre chords even though it hurts my left wrist and thumb to try and I cannot even come close to playing them.


Is it absolutely Vital that I play barre chords to be able to play good music.  I like Blue Grass & 60-80's rock, but am a longtime Deadhead.


Please tell me if I'm going to have to give up my life-long dream of playing guitar due to barre chords!


Steven

Go to forum: Acoustic