Guitar Progress [My first 'I quit!' moment]

By OurJud · Aug 9, 2020 · 709 · 8
  1. I had my first 'I quit!' moment today. I'm sure it won't be my last, and if I know me (and unfortunately I do) I'll ultimately quit for real at some point in the future.

    It came when trying to learn the F chord. I couldn't do it, so me being me I went looking for alternative ways to play it. There are many 'easy' variations of the F chord apparently, none of which I found any easier.

    My fingers will not separate to reach across the frets. End of. I can't even get close. Guitars are fucking stupid.

Comments

Sort Comments:

Sort Comments By

  1. Rad Scribbler
    Hang in there.

    The first three chords I learnt were; E, A & B.

    You wouldn't believe how I struggled to play the B chord.
    Rad Scribbler, Aug 9, 2020
      Foxxx and OurJud like this.
  2. OurJud
    Yeah. Just had a look at the shape of the B and it looks like another impossible stretch.

    The whole two strings with one finger thing I find hard too. I can do it when using just my first finger, but as soon as I have to place the other 3 - 4 fingers the shape forces my first finger out of position.
    OurJud, Aug 9, 2020
      Foxxx likes this.
  3. RichardOgata
    Barre chords are hard when you first start playing because you don’t have the necessary muscle built up yet. But many a guitarist before you have conquered the technique and so can you! I used to think of each attempt as a rep, like I was literally working out my hand.
    RichardOgata, Aug 9, 2020
      Foxxx and OurJud like this.
  4. OurJud
    I know I could get there... I mean anyone could, couldn't they? Professional guitarists are not an alien species. They're just normal folk who learnt how to do something. I just doubt I have the grey matter to get there.
    OurJud, Aug 9, 2020
  5. Friedrich Kugelschreiber
    For me it's not so much "I quit!" as it is a slow dread that I will never amount to any good, resulting in depression and loss of appetite. The former is probably healthier.
    Friedrich Kugelschreiber, Aug 10, 2020
      Foxxx and OurJud like this.
  6. OurJud
    I wish depression resulted in a loss of appetite for me!

    If only I could turn a corner in my progress I might feel better. It's how awkward and painful it all feels for me that gets me down. I'm constantly shifting position, trying to get my right leg in a good place, not slouch. Then the pain and aches in my fretting hand/fingers and complete and utter inability to stretch my fingers across the frets...

    I could go on but I'll get depressed and hungry.
    OurJud, Aug 10, 2020
  7. jim onion
    Yeah, I feel that. If I'm not doing something primarily for the fun and genuine enjoyment of it, then I start thinking "well, I'm probably never going to amount to anything, doing this"

    which makes me question my life

    my purpose for being

    why bother doing anything

    and then depression. :)

    I took guitar lessons for *max* one month when I was only about 6 or 7. I didn't like it. Luckily, I was a bit too young to think about achieving some fame or fortune by playing guitar. So I genuinely just stopped because it didn't interest me.

    It was one of the purest "I quit moments" in my life. Now, everything is tainted with this desire to be successful, constantly getting in the way of just fully enjoying something again.
    jim onion, Aug 11, 2020
      OurJud likes this.
  8. OurJud
    It's why I stopped writing. Or at least stopped hoping it might amount to something. Surprisingly it was a very liberating decision, because it came from the head, not the heart. Anything I write now is for my own satisfaction. It's nice to share and even nicer if others like it, but that's as far as it goes for me now.
    OurJud, Aug 11, 2020
To make a comment simply sign up and become a member!
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice