As someone who has been a perpetual beginner, I have spent my life following lessons, advancing and regressing, never really getting anywhere. Now that I am retired, and after experiencing some of the lessons on this site, I would like to develop a solid foundation and really take the time to develop my own style. I am working my way through the beginner lessons. The problem for me is what to focus on and how long to linger on each of the lessons. For example, do I just focus on the basic construction and finger position of the Open Chords, which I know or the variations. Do I dive into triads, which I don't completely understand? Do I try to perfect the 16th note rhythm? Or should I move through, having a basic understanding of the title of the lesson, with the understanding that I will gradually pick up all that is being offered through repetition in the coming lessons. I don't want to skim the beginning lessons, but I don't want to get bogged down ether. And, just to add, I am having fun.
Hi Alan
What i've found useful was to start with the beginner lessons just to make sure there is nothing you're missing and start the music theory lessons and you will learn scales and triads etc.
Don't rush and you should be able to find your level within the lessons. I'm sure someone can give you a more concise answer but that was what I found worked for me, having played guitar for over 20 years but was very much treading water, using those two sets of lessons I was able to work out where I need to focus my attention!
Here is Tomo's comment:
"Thanks so much for subscribing to my Guitar Wisdom. I have always preferred to learn simple things with a super slow approach, until I know them really well. Study the Beginner Series lessons. Learn some triads. Review, review, and review again, so that you will feel comfortable with what you know! Don't underestimate the power of triads to improve your playing. When you can play eighth-note rhythms well, try sixteenth notes. Be patient, and keep having fun!"
I'd suggest you record yourself and listen back a day later. Understanding an idea and being able to implement it are two different things. You'll always be a little bit ahead in your need to "understand" the music and what is happening and a little bit further behind having it locked into your mind and muscles. Wash rinse repeat as they say.
For me, it's especially with triads. I came in knowing quite about about scales, modes, chords, and "basic theory", but it turns out, I'm very bad at instantly gripping any triad inversion on any string-set. Embarrassing for me in some ways, after 50 years playing (I use that term loosely) the instrument.
You'll have many plateaus in the journey, so don't expect too fast as our mentor says.
Try to learn a song you like. If it seems hard to play, figure out what makes it hard -- and find a lesson that helps you work on that. Little breakthroughs in songs always give you a little dopamine hit and drive you to want to go to the next step.