My first recorded practice

My first recorded Practice of my guitar hobby progress.

    I have been using the 'JustinGuitar by FourChords' app to practice the A-D-E chords almost daily since I downloaded it on Feb. 13.  For several days now I have been practicing 'Three Little Birds' using A-D-E chords and the 'JustinGuitar by FourChords' android app.  It takes me a while to learn but I will get there with time. To play this along with the original music I would need to use a capo.

Justin Guitar by FourChords

Justin Guitar by FourChords App 

   I found the link to the Justin Guitar by FourChords App while at Justin Guitar.com. I am finding the app useful and motivating so far.  It is all set up to practice the A-D-E chords that I have been working on as well as a lot more skills done in a fun way. It also has lots of A-D-E keyed songs  for us to practice.  I am analyzing the long term usefulness of this app for us as to keep all it full feature it costs $34.99.  It is worth it I am sure as a lot of work has gone into creating it to be both educational and entertaining as it tracks your progress for you to see. Today while using it, I all time topped my score I have been tracing on my one minutes chords transitions.(see last blog post). It is real motivator to continue using it. But budgets being what they are, it's a tough choice!!!

It also has a feature to help teach timing on new strum patterns that I have played with.  I need work on strumming so will do some more on that. This will lead to playing songs it has built in as well.

Kathy saw me using the app and I showed some features to her. Kathy does like the app but whether it will help her out or not I do not know.

I wish it would sync one's score to all your devices and connected to the Google Play Games app so I could share my score with all my game buddies. They can play candy crush or what ever game they want but I will be learning a new skill. I would like to share my progress with them.

I have been pretty regular since last post and I and picking up the A-D-E chords slowly. App or no app I will continue. I look forward to the day I can play along with friends and keep up. It is a good thing I am a patient man as I wait for that to happen.

UPDATE FEB 17:

• Justin Guitar App I am finding the app useful and very motivating so far.  It is all set up to practice; Chords, Chord changes, Strum patterns and Songs keyed to chords a beginner knows and does it all in a fun audio/visual way with scrolling chords along a soundtrack.  It has lots of A-D-E keyed songs for us to practice(songs limited to 30sec after 4 day trial).  I started using it Feb 12, 2017 with its 4 day trial period, after which it limited access to its ‘STAGE 1’ lessons and limited playing songs 30 second clips, understandable since effort went into the lessons and the songs are not public damian.  I am not ready to go past ‘STAGE 1’ lessons or to play songs yet anyway so will try the 30 second clips and use the apps other sections to learn some more chords, practice it’s one minute chord changes, timing through it beat exercises and view its videos to practice strum patterns. When I get the 'STAGE 1' lessons down and gain confidence in the app I will consider subscribing to the app for a year for $34.99 to use its 'STAGE 1-4' lessons. I only pause as even though it is well worth $34.99 I do have very limited funding.

Working on A to E , D to A , D to E chord transitions

   For the last three days I have been consistent at working on A to E , D to A , D to E transitions.  Maybe by posting my daily progress chart it will help me to continue to be consistent.

   I time myself for one minute for each of the three A to E, D to A, D to E Chord pairs and see how many changes for each pair I can do in that minute.  I record my progress for that practice period and share the Chord Study Chart automatically updates for all to see.

  Yep, the link to Chord Study Chart automatically updates each practice period. If I skip practice that day it will be posted for all to see.  No pressure.

Practicing the A-E-D chords

While Kathy has been working on the D-C-A and G chords,  I have been practicing the A-E chords daily using lessons from the Andy Guitar video lessons.

  I hope it is ok, but I like the way he does the A chord in the How to change between E & A chords on guitar so as to keep the pointer finger traveling on the same G string during the transitions.

   The next step I am thinking on is learning Paperback Writer by the Beatles using the E and A chord.  I will be purchasing perhaps this Cappo set soon(2pk) so Kathy and I will have one for each guitar to be able to play more songs.

   Than perhaps go on to add the D chord using the E, A & D chord changes video to open up more songs.