BC-101 • Common beginners questions answered

[danni]

Actually, I think both of you are spot on... I have this terrible feeling that I moved too quickly through the course. You are both right, it is lack of practise on each song and yes I haven't even tried to memorize a song.

I think what I am going to do is, I will go back to stages 1-7 and properly learn the songs. Try to not look at the hands, and practise singing with the easy strumming patterns in the beginning.

You know it's weird, I have been reading in this forum soooo many times "Take it slow, don't move too quickly" and I always thought, oh well, I don't move too quickly, this advise just doesn't apply to me. Well I guess it does. I think it's because I was just so excited to learn, I was obsessed with reaching stage 7, cause that's where you get to learn Wanted Dead or Alive, which I really really wanted to play.

Patience can be quite hard... but I don't want to be sloppy, I want to do it right 

[DarrellW]

That's the best attitude to have, learning the guitar is a lifetime thing there will always be something to learn!
Remember the old adage more haste less speed, this is a great model example.
What you have keep in focus all of the time is that you are learning to play a guitar not a particular song you like - as you progress that particular song you may have struggled with will be easy.

[Paulvm]

How much time did you spend on those stages 1 to 7? I don't want to go too fast either. But I find it difficult to decide whether to move on or not


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[danni]

I started January 1, so 6 months, with one big holiday break where I didn't have the guitar with me in between. I got stuck for 7 weeks on the F chord, so if you deduct that you can see that some stages I just spent 2-3 weeks. I realize now that was too quick. When did you start?


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[DarrellW]

That's too fast, you can't really cover what you need to properly at that pace; if you had said 12 months that's more like it.

[SiegeFrog]

Except for Stage 6, I think it's reasonable to average a month a Stage. Consolidation may take longer. Also, try to learn 1-2 songs per stage. Learning a song means being able to play it the whole way through. I think for most people after practicing it that much they have it memorized. Also, it's common for song learning to lag behind a Stage or 2 as you progress. All this is just about the guitar, not singing. Justin doesn't set any goals for singing.


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[DavidP]

The proof of the pudding is in the playing ...

There are guidelines ... how many OMCs, playing solid with metronome, etc ... even some quite specific ... play 12 bars blue using triplet strumming in key of E, A and G to be "done" with stage 5.

But sometimes it is hard to judge yourself.  That's where I think recording and posting is invaluable.  Once you can play through a song, without necessarily having to sing as well, then you could video yourself, post the performance and the get feedback that will help you to calibrate exactly where you are.  Many folk are making these videos really low tech ... just a mobile phone or tablet propped up in front of them.  Nothing fancy, not looking for radio-ready recorded quality ... just enough that people can see and hear and provide feedback.  And doesn't have to be a video, many post just an audio, which is fine, perhaps less intimidating and simpler.

Doing that will help overcome the one disadvantage of not having a physical teacher (as I see it), being the lack of feedback from somebody who knows to correct errors, judge progress etc.

Cheers
David

[Laila]

How long people take to finish the BC is extremely individual, I've read here everything from a few months to two years (I'm firmly in that last category  ) It depends not only on how much time you actually spend playing, but also on age and flexibility and previous musical experience. But six months is definitely quick.

A tip for memorizing a song is either trying to record it or planning to perform it in front of someone. To me that's a whole different ball game from just playing through it for myself. I have to concentrate a LOT more.

[DavidP]

How long people take to finish the BC is extremely individual, I've read here everything from a few months to two years (I'm firmly in that last category  ) It depends not only on how much time you actually spend playing, but also on age and flexibility and previous musical experience.

Well said, Laila

So one should probably not compare with anybody else.  I consider the question "so how long have you been playing" after posting a recording to not be that useful.

[tobyjenner]

How much time did you spend on those stages 1 to 7? I don't want to go too fast either. But I find it difficult to decide whether to move on or not


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Paul

As others have said our times to complete the course are all individual and down to how quickly we pick things up mentally and physically. Just abide by the Practice Schedule "lesson" at the end of each stage and read what Justin expect you to have accomplished before moving on.

But don't get hung on getting everything perfect. I made a couple of big mistakes during my 22 months on the BC and try to pass these on to others, so they can learn from my "mistakes".

First off I started out practicing on electric and acoustic and would not move on until I had nailed everything in the stage on the acoustic, when it was fine on the electric. Ok song wise I was always a stage or two behind but that's normal.
Because of this I spent 6 months on Stage 6 as I just could not get the E-shaped barre chord F major nasty bit of work to sound good and clean I lost confidence and went back to Stage 1.

Around then - about a year in - I got my acoustic set up by a pro and bingo barre chords where no longer an issue.

Starting again the other thing I did, was not to get hung up on getting everything perfect. If I new the mechanic of a chord or scale or whatever but couldn't quite reach the required level, I just carried that forward in my practice routine along with the next stage.

By the time I got to BC-199 (Consolidation) I had a clear indication from my spreadsheet based practice schedule, exactly what needed to be worked on an brought up to spec.

I've adopted that approach ever since and although it meant a shed load of work to Consolidate the Intermediate Course I found it kept me motivated and moving forward (but only if I was confidence I understood and could play each element at 75% or more).

I slipped back into my old ways working through Master The Major Scale and Blues Rhythm and kinda of lost my way a bit. So I've recently given myself a big kick up the jacksee and reverted to this formula and am now making progress again. Slow but steady progress. I know something are going to take long to play as my 60 odd year old tendons scream and shout on some moves but with practice and effort they'll find their way. So I might watch a few lesson ahead of where I am comfortably playing and get my head in gear while my physical self plays catch but regardless of how long it takes I intend learn and play as much as I can while I'm still drawing breath. Aint no fool like an old fool.

One final tip. Don't get hung up on speed/tempo when it comes to songs. If you can play a song at 80% its original tempo but it sounds good (but slow) put a tick in the box and move on. Speed will come with practice, the some practice and after that some more practice.

Don't seat how long the course takes. It take what it takes ad is what it is. Enjoy learn and you'll do ok.

Cheers

Toby
 

[danni]

This is interesting what you say about the speed. I downloaded one of those apps that slows down the original song, and some songs are on my practice schedule simply because I cannot do them at 100% speed. So you are saying move on and maybe revisite the song later for speed?

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[mikeb2102]

This is interesting what you say about the speed. I downloaded one of those apps that slows down the original song, and some songs are on my practice schedule simply because I cannot do them at 100% speed. So you are saying move on and maybe revisite the song later for speed?

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I'd say move on but keep practicing that song and eventually the speed will come. It took me 6 months until I was able to sing along with a couple of songs, I then revisited the first songs I had learned 6 months ago and found out I could also sing along with them too

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[danni]

While we are talking about speed, one more thing that I would like your opinion on: out of the options 1) playing along with the original song, maybe at lower speed, 2) playing with a metronome and 3) just playing by yourself and tapping your foot, how do you practice? Do you do all three or start with one and then change to another?

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[DarrellW]

This is interesting what you say about the speed. I downloaded one of those apps that slows down the original song, and some songs are on my practice schedule simply because I cannot do them at 100% speed. So you are saying move on and maybe revisit the song later for speed?

Exactly, don't get too hung up about it if it sounds OK but a bit slow.
It doesn't matter how you time yourself but using the track or a metronome is going to be the most accurate.
I find it is really good to record yourself periodically so you can compare to what you can do at a later date; plus it's much easier to spot what needs attention.

[danni]

I will do that. I don't know if I have the courage to post the video, but I will start taping 👍😊

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[mikeb2102]

I will do that. I don't know if I have the courage to post the video, but I will start taping 👍😊

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Remember nobody is going to judge you on here, everyone's been where you are in the learning process. I've only posted two videos up and it took me 6 months to pluck up the courage. I'm glad I did because people have been great at offering advice. It's good to get another persons perspective on your playing.

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[Joerfe]

While we are talking about speed, one more thing that I would like your opinion on: out of the options 1) playing along with the original song, maybe at lower speed, 2) playing with a metronome and 3) just playing by yourself and tapping your foot, how do you practice? Do you do all three or start with one and then change to another?

For me it is a combination and differs depending on why I learn the song.
If it is for band use, I start by playing the song for my self. Getting the changes and the progression internalised.
Then I play along with the original slowed down. I up the tempo as I get more and more familiar with the way it is played in the played back version.
When at 105% (yes, 105%) I am ready for rehearsal with the band.

If I learn a song for my own purpose I do the same steps as before. But during that first stage I also start humming the song to get a feel for the melody.
When the previous steps are done I play on my own to a metronome and work on the singing.

[DavidP]

While we are talking about speed, one more thing that I would like your opinion on: out of the options 1) playing along with the original song, maybe at lower speed, 2) playing with a metronome and 3) just playing by yourself and tapping your foot, how do you practice? Do you do all three or start with one and then change to another?

Danni,

I've not tried playing along with an original. What has worked for me is playing along with Justin on his song video lessons.  Initially when he is explaining and playing real slow. Eventually I've been able to play through with him at the start of the lesson when he plays the song to show how it should sound.

I don't play songs with metronome but do strumming practise with a metronome. For songs I just play and after a while sing, just trying to get into a groove .... foot tapping, head bobbing, whatever comes to try and get into it.  No idea if I am faster or slower than original, as long as it sounds ok. Which would be based on how I have the original in my head.

But really whatever works for you to learn each lesson, play songs ... steady rhythms, smooth changes, clean chords.

Cheers
David

[Dr Winterbourne]

Danni,

I've not tried playing along with an original. What has worked for me is playing along with Justin on his song video lessons.  Initially when he is explaining and playing real slow. Eventually I've been able to play through with him at the start of the lesson when he plays the song to show how it should sound.

I don't play songs with metronome but do strumming practise with a metronome. For songs I just play and after a while sing, just trying to get into a groove .... foot tapping, head bobbing, whatever comes to try and get into it.  No idea if I am faster or slower than original, as long as it sounds ok. Which would be based on how I have the original in my head.

But really whatever works for you to learn each lesson, play songs ... steady rhythms, smooth changes, clean chords.

Cheers
David

What worked really well for me was I created: playlists of songs as I was learning them, and once a week or so I would put on the playlist and play along with Bob Marley, Bob Dylan etc.

I don know if it was important or not, but whilst playing and singing along, I imagined myself playing to friends, to girls, at the pub, at Wembley etc.

[Paulvm]

@danni
I started a month ago and I am at stage 2. I got most of the 1 minute changes up to speed now, except the ones with dmin in them. I do train all changes, not only the ones which justin says. When I get one at 60 changes per minute two days in a row, I skip that one the next day untill I get them all. I am only practising two songs now, three little birds and 5 years time. I can play along with bob in three little birds but 5 years time is too fast. Still looking for a good app on macbook to slow down songs from spotify. I practise both songs with metronome and foot tapping. I try to start slow but find it difficult to keep rhythym whem I am below 50 bpm.
I can play all chords clearly on my guitar so instead of 5 mins only practising strum pick strum I added trying air changes with the first three chords.
I only do ear training two or three times a week because it becomes too merorized instead of listining what sound it is.
How longer post than I meant to.
Ow yeah I did post a recording of myself playing. Its in roadcases. A really rough version of the chorus of three little birds. I will post somethin there every few weeks.

I got a question too. How do you know if your guitar needs a proffesional set up or not? My guitar plays fine now but I got no idea if it can be set up even better. The strings are about 3-4mm above the fretboard around the 12th fret


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[RobertTKunze]

so i am trying to learn how to play guitar and my cousin gave me an old one of his that he never uses. I dont know anything about guitars so how do i know if the guitar is good quality or if i need to get a new one. To me it doesn't sound like most acoustics but i dont know anything about guitars.   

[stitch101]

A little more information would help. Like what brand is it?

Pictures would help even more.

[RobertTKunze]

A little more information would help. Like what brand is it?

Pictures would help even more.

My cousin said that the guy never finished staining the guitar so it looks kinda funky idk if that ruins anything or not but this is my guitar. If you need more pictures let me know. I have no idea on the brand or anything like that, all i know is that it is a guitar, lol...

[stitch101]

It looks like an inexpensive nylon string classical guitar. You could start learning on it. The finish being sanded
of want stop it from being played. If you deside you want to continue playing guitzr you may want to get a steel
string acoustic or an electric.

Start with Justin's beginner course anb deside from there.

[Paulvm]

If you know you keep wanting to learn guitar I think you are better of with a steel string acoustic. A good one to consider is the fender CD60S. They are around 200 euros, and you get a lot of guitar for your money.
That one is mine:)


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