Taplature Guitar Forum UK

Hi, my kids bought me a 50 quid acoustic guitar from amazon for Christmas, and I have been trying to practice 20-30 minutes a day since then. From other online guitar sites I have learned to play the open chords and can bumble my way through some simple transitions. Rather than spending money on new kit to make me better :), I thought I'd pay for some lessons. My goal is to be able to play a few recognisable songs by the one year anniversary. I can play a few single note versions of stuff like Ode to Joy, Happy Birthday, White Cliffs of Dover etc.. but I would like to play some other stuff all the way through, currently working on Hotel California, Purple Rain and Wonderwall. As I work full time and have other commitments, I do not get as much practise time as I would like, I want to start practising smarter (focussed) rather than dipping in and out of random youtube videos. Any top tips to help me over the next few months would be greatly appreciated - thank you.

On the eve of my 51st birthday, in two days' time, my mind goes back to the day of my 49th birthday, and a present off my children, Owen and Molly. A voucher for two lessons with a guitar teacher in Leamington Spa. Had always loved guitar music - The Smiths, U2, Simple Minds as a Bridgnorth teenager. Then on to Oasis, Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics. I even had an old guitar sat gathering dust on a stand in my front room, but I'd never played it. The vouchers gave me the kick I needed. Pretty much every week since the end of August 2018, I've been having lessons with Paul. I always looked forward to my mug of tea on a Monday night in Paul's teaching room - until Covid-19 intervened. Albeit with cheat chords, I started to play Wonderwall. I could just about find my way through Don't Stop Believin' by Journey. My personal nightmare was the D chord. But we got there, eventually. Big issues for me have always been finding time to practice, and getting to grips with a metronome. But the biggest challenge (ongoing) is to improve the speed between chord changes. I know the chords, can see the chords, but struggle sometimes to land the chords. But at least I've cracked the basic strum... I've always got time for my lesson, and always enjoy it. Then life gets in the way. I need to have a better plan. I also have a camp fire dream (not that I ever sit around a camp fire!). Someone passes me a guitar and says 'play us a song John'. One day I'll get there. Maybe this blog entry is a start...

Hi Paul, As promised please see below for the videos of the grade 1 pieces. The audio seems to be really quiet for some reason i can't understand but it is there. Also I've t had the provisional date for the exam which is the 27'th of July. Sunshine of your love ICAUFO Dakota Best, Doug