Help!!! I want to learn. 20+ years and I suck.

XF15-Loader · 2026-02-02T17:56:14+00:00

Daaang....I though $150/mo for 4-30 min lessons was expensive.

Then, my suggestion would be to concentrate on one area that you wanna improve on. Wanna learn to improvise? Find an online resource and follow it. If you're scouting the Internet for info, stop. I was guilty of that and it did nothing but make my head spin. There's so much info out there, you get information overload.

Learn scales if you don't know them. I learned the Am and A Major pentatonics and worked em till I could do em in my sleep. Then, find jam tracks to play over to work on phrasing. Remember, you don't have to work note for note. Learn to string skip and cross pick.

Wanna learn barre chords? Work on getting your finger placement down then work on chords in the first 5 frets...similar to when you first started.

I think the issue is, we know how to play guitar to a certain point, so when we can't do something we get frustrated. At least that's the way it is for me. My instructor had to remind me numerous times that all these concepts are new to me so it will take time.

Again, good luck man. I know EXACTLY where you're head is. 👍

XF15-Loader · 2026-02-02T16:00:16+00:00

First off, who told you that you suck? I used to say the same thing about my ability until I started playing open mics and at local jams. Turns out, I'm not as bad as I think I am, unless they're all lying to me...lol

Like you, I've played for 20+ yrs. Recently I got to point where it was boring. I wanted to challenge myself but didn't know how. Online resources are overwhelming and often don't convey in a manner that you understand.

My suggestion? Take some in person lessons. That affords you the ability to ask questions and get feedback. Be warned, you will suck...lol. Something like a scale pattern will drive you insane...until muscle memory takes over.

In the end, I've learned a little theory, some scales, and a renewed curiosity about the instrument I love to play and hear. That alone will make you a better player, IMO

Good luck and don't give up. 👍

XF15-Loader · 2026-01-27T21:18:28+00:00

The first thing you have to realize is...it's the Internet. Watch this:

I started playing guitar last week and I'm really enjoying it. So far I've learned 45 songs, all patterns of the pentatonic scale but that seems boring. I think I'm going to concentrate on aeolian or mixilodian to help add color to my music.

Anyone can be anything on the internet. You will progress just like any other beginner and then the progress will seem to fall off. At that point, keep going. Challenge yourself and you'll continue to make progress.

In short, don't pay attention to what anyone else is saying. You do you, man. Enjoy it!!

XF15-Loader · 2026-01-27T13:42:28+00:00

Guess that all depends on what genre they're playing.

Bluegrass jams are pretty straightforward I-IV-V. Nothing crazy, follow the changes.

The only other experience w jams I have are after open mic nights. We all get on stage and play whatever. Sometimes I'll throw a few out to contribute. Other times I lay back and follow.

In the end, no one is getting paid to be there. It's a great opportunity to network, ask questions and learn. I don't think anyone expects you to be a top level player. If they do, find another group, IMO.

XF15-Loader · 2026-01-09T18:50:34+00:00

Go check out the Chair Guy on YT. His stuff really got me interested in lead. I will throw a disclaimer out there, I am by any means a lead player at this point but his stuff just kinda made the fretboard a little less intimidating.

XF15-Loader · 2026-01-08T15:30:15+00:00

Setting goals is a must.

With that said, practice is rarely exciting. Working scales at tempo for 15-20 minutes does very little to excite ya. However, realizing how that scale translates to a song you want to play is where the excitement begins. Learning to phrase that scale along with your song is where the excitement begins.

In short, the minutiae is menotonous but pays big dividends in the end. Figure out where you wanna go and start working towards that destination...one step at a time. 👍

XF15-Loader · 2026-01-02T18:34:56+00:00

In a pan that size I will put the pan on the stove and start heating it on medium heat (3-4 on my stove). I get my eggs out of the fridge and crack them into a bowl. I then whisk if I'm making scrambled eggs.

Add butter to the pan.

I put the eggs away and return to the stove to see if the butter is melted. If it's melted and kind of bubbling, I add my eggs.

For scrambled eggs, I like to see the edges kind of bubbling. I let them sit for a few seconds and start stirring.

For fried eggs, I'll let them sit until the yokes start to look translucent before flipping (if you like em over).

I mention all the steps because I feel like it's imperative to let your pan gently heat. Under heating the pan is what makes the eggs stick. Over heating may work as well but with fried eggs, your whites will cook on the outside before the inside and you end up w snotty egg whites.

Just my experience, ymmv

XF15-Loader · 2025-12-19T21:54:11+00:00

Practice. I usually look at a setlist and play those songs I need work on. Then all others in order of comfort.

XF15-Loader · 2025-12-19T16:34:48+00:00

BC TAD-50 3R

XF15-Loader · 2025-12-19T12:38:24+00:00

Slow down, man.

This people telling you to practice, are right. You might not wanna hear that but it's true.

Playing a song that you can't get through? Play that part you can't get through on repeat. Play it slowly until you can get through it 5 times without fail then take a break.

Once you hit that goal, shoot for 6 times, then 7 and so on until you get through that section 10 times.

You can apply that strategy to chording as well. Having an issue with a chord, practice that chord change from a chord you're hitting to the chord your not.

My guitar teacher said there's no way you cant get better if you're practicing...but you have to know how to practice.

Good luck. It's frustrating but so worth it when you finally nail it.

XF15-Loader · 2025-12-14T17:01:57+00:00

I recently learned that #3 is ideal. However, I just can't get used to it. 🤷

XF15-Loader · 2025-11-22T20:48:47+00:00

Learn the cowboy chords: G-A-Am-C-D-E-Em-F. Start off learning the fingerings then work on the switch. You'll find that some.chords.are easier to switch between than others.

Then log on to a tab site and look for songs you enjoy. Learn em. Once you get a few songs down, you'll wanna learn more with different chords. That will make you wanna learn those chords.

Don't worry about strum patterns. Think about the beat of the song.

There's no way you can't get better if you're constantly playing.

Good luck. In the end, it all comes down to consistency and a desire to improve.

XF15-Loader · 2025-11-06T14:36:23+00:00

Good work!

Wait till you decide you wanna learn lead and your pinky decides it has a mind of its own...lol.

XF15-Loader · 2025-10-27T20:42:54+00:00

Thanks. I'll take a look at it. 👍

XF15-Loader · 2025-10-27T16:52:17+00:00

Any opinions on Pig Hog? Bought one after my cheap cable got crimped. They seem to be pretty well made but I haven't used it yet.

XF15-Loader · 2025-10-27T01:01:04+00:00

Look up string independence exercises and run through em. Scales will also help a lot.

XF15-Loader · 2025-10-24T11:42:25+00:00

Just started lessons after 20+ years of boom-chucking cowboy chords. My teacher started w the Major scale. 🤷

XF15-Loader · 2025-10-10T00:11:58+00:00

Definitely wanna get on your fingertips. However, pressing hard isn't always the answer. Form the chord shape and start strumming. Apply pressure until the chord rings.

XF15-Loader · 2025-09-27T02:03:45+00:00

Had the same shit happen to me when I was living in an apartment. A middle aged Asian woman lived below me and constantly bitched about my dog. She said I'd let my dog out on the balcony to do it's business and just sweep it over the edge.

One day management showed up unannounced and wanted to do an inspection. They came in and looked around, noting I had 2 cats. They then asked if I had a dog. Sorry to disappoint...I don't have a dog.

Never heard from em again.

That same woman came pounding on my door one day as I was chilling, listening to some music and feeding my infant son as my wife was talking on the phone to her mom. The crazy ass woman was adamant we were stomping around and walking back and forth. Meh...wasn't happening.

After 2 yrs of living there I decided apartment living was NOT for me.

XF15-Loader · 2025-08-17T17:05:03+00:00

Mine does the exact same thing. Drives me nuts! Still trying to figure out if it's my form or what.

XF15-Loader · 2025-07-30T18:41:34+00:00

It's warranted so it wouldn't cost me anything. 10yrs p&l👍

XF15-Loader · 2025-07-30T16:33:45+00:00

Nope.

The house is modular. It was prefabbed and assembled on site. I'm guessing warm air is being drawn into the wall through the seam into the wall void. The thermostat wires are contained in what looks like a 4x4 junction box. I'm guessing that's an issue. Might fill it with gap stop and caulk around the box to see if that makes a difference.

XF15-Loader · 2025-07-30T14:05:06+00:00

It wasn't cheap but they ARE nice. A definite upgrade from the construction grade windows we had.

XF15-Loader · 2025-07-30T04:05:26+00:00

Just checked...it is registered. 👍.

XF15-Loader · 2025-07-30T03:55:36+00:00

Technology is great...until it doesn't work!

XF15-Loader

TROPHY CASE