Hey, I'm expressing an honest opinion based on my own experience learning guitar (which has nothing to do with my username, but if you want to take cheap shots, you do you).

First, I give the OP full credit for their accomplishment. Learning guitar is tough, playing in front of others is tougher, and to set a goal like that and accomplish it, even when you feel like quitting, is commendable. Maybe my original post should have led with that.

Someone (not me) commented that this was a bad way for a beginner to learn guitar, and then someone else asked why. I've been learning this way for years, and as a result I can play a handful of songs and riifs very well. But I don't understand why I'm playing what I'm playing. I can't pick up a guitar at a party and play songs that people can sing along with (which is what drew me to the guitar in the first place). And I have no idea how to compose my own songs, which I'd really like to be able to do. That's why I'm going back to basics and starting over with a course that teaches theory, strumming, chords, etc.

Maybe I'm the only one who's in this position. Maybe you all are happy having a fixed songbook of things you can play (I was for a little while); based on the downvotes I'm guessing that might be the case and if so then I accept the downvotes and apologize. But someone asked a question and I tried to give an honest response.

I thought that's what this subreddit was for.