What to learn next? Should I move to the next stage? etc etc.

[close2u]

Questions ...

[Andy Tighe]

I was just wondering how long (on average) would people recommend beginners spend on each stage. I am looking at Justin's new beginner's course (BC 101 etc.). I believe 9-10 lessons make up a stage so BC 111 - BC 119 make up stage 1 (learning D, A and E chords).

I know there won't be one answer fits all as everyone learns at a different pace but I want to give myself targets before looking at the next stage. I know how to play the D,A and E chords but haven't got the speed to change chords accurately yet so feel I am not particularly ready for the next bunch (though I have had a sneak preview and can place my fingers on Dm, Am and Em). I also am still finding it difficult to strum and change at the same time... sorry, only a bloke so can't yet do two things at once.

Brilliant lessons. Justin should show off his skills a bit more though and play through whole songs every now and then. Do the odd request maybe - although I understand he is very busy.

[foot]

Wait until you pretty much master one set of skills before moving on to the next. If you forge ahead at a breakneck pace, you'll be able to play a little of this, and a little bit of that, however, you won't be a solid player. Believe me, when I first picked up a guitar when I was a kid, I wanted to be an overnight Hendrix or Clapton. It didn't take long to figure out that it doesn't work like that.

Good luck,

Foot

[charlieguitars]

If you have to ask, chances are your not ready.  If you can't do chord changes and strum at the same time then you there really is no point because you can't play them anyway.  Work on it til it is easy.  I mean really easy.  Like you can do it without looking and and without thinking about it.  That's when you move on.

[The Gunner]

Many beginners become bored from the routine starting out. The reason is because they understand the concept early on, but have to wait on muscle memory and dexterity to develop for some consistency.
I personally believe that it's perfectly alright to dabble around a bit as a beginner, in order to stimulate the mind and for motivation. It takes time to develop the necessary skills for advancement. Some beginners tend to  "burn out" when they don't have something to compare by as a new challenge. Those who want to succeed will find the motivation and continue through the basics in order to advance.   

[hughesa1]

I am at stage 2 and been doing it for 2 months, at least half an hour per day, though I would say I have had about 2 weeks of days where I did not practice at all. Am I slow?

[Mouserjan]

I am at stage 2 and been doing it for 2 months, at least half an hour per day, though I would say I have had about 2 weeks of days where I did not practice at all. Am I slow?

That's about how long it took me. Approx 1 month per stage, although as the stages got harder and I got way busier it's taken longer. I got hung up on stage 6 awful F as it I call it. for quite awhile. It's not a race take as long as you need to get comfortable with each stage.

[tmcd35]

I'm now at stage 9 and have been going at a roughly 1 stage per week (practising daily).  The last couple of stages have taken a fortnight each.  I think though the lessons have been consolidating what I already knew but hadn't really learned properly of the past 20-odd years.

I think my progress is going to slow down a bit from in on out.  Looking forward to the Beginners Songbook to help put everything I've learned in to practise

[squatter]

Hi, bit of a bump, but I just signed up to ask in here because I'm very curious.

I'm currently on stage 9 and almost 3 months in.  I'm about half way through all the chord changes.

Anyone else on stage 9 or have completed it?

How long did it take you/How long have you been doing it for so far?

Cheers.

[komani86]

@squatter: I skipped the BC and went straight into IM (I was learning myself before I found justin) and in the end I mixed the IM with the BC. Some people progress relatively fast, others dont.

It took me to complete IM (+BC stuff that I wanted to learn) about 6 months, but I practiced every day, MADE time to practice and didnt have alot of issues with sore fingers, blisters (just a bit hehe) or grips. It all just happened for me on the acoustic and on the electric its so friggin' easy now. 

I dont miss alot of days practicing now, even if its only for 15 minutes doing speed training and finger dexterity. every bit helps

Oh and, the 4-5months I was playing before was NOTHING compared to the progress I made with the IM/BC course of Justin 6 months after that. If I only knew from the start.

I'm still a beginner though

[Devster]

I bought myself a guitar about year ago and have been playing consistently for about 7 months.
I started by picking sings I liked and went from there.

However I started to plateau quickly and after watching some of the beginners videos I have realised that I have picked up some seriously bad habits.

Starting from the beginning sucks, but I hope that this is the best way forward.
Thank you Justin for your excellent explanations and showing me the do's and don'ts

[Seapriestess]

I started lessons and have had 10 now but watching the video's on here I realise how bad my finger positioning was, so yes I think the best thing to do is go back to the beginning and develop a good technique and practise practise practise! 

[jacksroadhouse]

I agree, it's a good way to go. The good news: all the things you really know will go by quickly, and you'll find out the things that you just think you know. So go for it!

[justinguitar]

Starting from the beginning is the best place to start

Getting rid of bad habbits can be tricky but stick with it and you'll be happier in the long run.

Good luck!

[annie mitchel]

Hi all,
As a very newbie, newbie, I wonder if it would be worth telling us what the bad habits are then we can make extra sure we don't do them. I know I tend to slouch over the guitar sometimes so I know that's a bad a habit - 'cos Justin said.

[lynchy]

Hi to all,

I have been playing the guitar for about 4 weeks. I am working through stage 1 of the beginers course which is going pretty well. I can play 3 of the songs from there now quite well but not perfectly. Sometimes i miss chord changes or they sounds a bit twangy! I am not sure whether i should keep going over it again and again or try stage 2? Any ideas please...

[Drubbing]

You're aiming for competency in each stage, not perfection. Move on.

[sophiehiker]

@Drubbing's right.

Also, remember at the bottom of each stage's Practice Schedule lesson is a list of guidelines to help you decide whether to move on.  Take a look at the bottom of this web page.

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-119-PRACTICEstage1.php

[GuitarDiva]

I have been playing on and off for years, and started Justin's beginners course today, I don't think I have many bad habits lol, apart from using my thumb more than I should do when I pick .... I am trying really hard to stop using my thumb quite so much

[misterg]

I'm sure there are LOTS, but for me, the #1 thing is:

NEVER STOP STRUMMING

That's why Justin teaches the chords first, but holds off starting on strumming & songs until your chord changes are somewhat fluent, so you don't divert all your attention to the chord changes and allow your right hand to stop. It's a difficult habit to break - I know- been there, done that!

Best advice: Follow the course

[FancyCloth]

 I am not sure whether i should keep going over it again and again or try stage 2

[Lucina]

I'm a guitar returner - ie I played years ago (not brilliantly but adequately - at least I thought so at the time), had a long, long gap, now I'm learning all over again.

I'm already familiar with the chords in the early stages, getting 60 to 80 changes per minute in stages 2 and 3. So theoretically, I should be able to move through the early stages fairly quickly.  But I find I'm rubbish at the J.U.S.T.I.N. Sound Recognition parts, especially recognising the chord progressions.  There is some improvement in recognising major and minor chords but the rest of the sound recognition is still very hard for me.

Should I get the J.U.S.T.I.N. sound part right in each stage before I move on?  If so, it's going to really hold me back. Or do I just practise that part while I move on and hope it gets better?

And am I the only one who gets in a total muddle trying to manipulate my guitar, a pad and pencil and stop/start/pausing my laptop (with itunes) at the same time?

[Joerfe]

I have chosen to skip the JUSTIN training as well, at least for now. I figure it's something that I can always return to later on. For now I have plenty material playing the songs in the Beginners Songbook and the Acoustic Songbook. I also believe that the songs I play now will benefit my JUSTIN training later.

[Guitar_noob]

I have chosen to skip the JUSTIN training as well, at least for now. I figure it's something that I can always return to later on. For now I have plenty material playing the songs in the Beginners Songbook and the Acoustic Songbook. I also believe that the songs I play now will benefit my JUSTIN training later.

That's what I did too. I always thought : "well, let's get good at guitar first".

Turned out I regret it now. Doing a few minutes of J.U.S.T.I.N while practicing every day opens your ears. Now that I do feel that I need to be able to transcribe to get really better, I realize that I've wasted some precious time not doing it in the first place...

I'd say, stick to the plan .

... that being said, don't let it stop you completely from getting to the next lessons... but it's worth a shot.

[Lucina]

Oh, I didn't mean to skip the J.U.S.T.I.N. bit altogether - it's made me realise how lacking I am on that side of things.  I just meant do I need to get all the sound recognition parts right on each stage before moving to the next one? Or do I have a go each time and accept that I'm not much good at that aspect yet but will hopefully improve?

The book doesn't really make it clear whether you're expected to perfect that part each time or not.