skippygirl, i recommend the thumb squarely in the middle of the back of the neck for maximum finger / string pressing strength. This was from my first unofficial guitar lesson, when I picked up the acoustic again at midlife (I knew a few chords, still do). I laid it down, but I've never forgotten that unofficial lesson from the mysterious stranger who first spoke joe's name to me.

listening to: Is There Love in Space? (the song, not the cd)

...paxamundo...

~f

I've re-worked my Satch 101 playlist:

SWTA

I Just Wanna Rock

Summer Song

FIABD

Mind Storm

I Am Become Death

Look My Way

Hordes of Locusts (live, from Dreaming #11)

Crystal Planet

Is There Love in Space?

The Headless Horseman

Echo

Friends

~f

Thanks Novjul, for the confirmation about the thumb position.

Skippygirl,

Technically thumb on the back is more "correct" - however you need to balance fun with theory.

What I mean is, it's like everything, unless you are a superhuman or a robot, you cannot learn the best position and habits from the beginning. It won't make sense and it will slow you down. Just like you cannot learn guitar by first learning all musically theory before you pick up an instrument. Sure, in the end you may be a better player and pick it up like lightning, but the years leading up to that day will be less interesting.

So learning is an iterative process, do what you can for now to get a good sound and enjoy your learning, just have a few pointers in the back of your mind each time you play. Then your technique will evolve and improve. And when you feel like it, get a bit of playing you have trouble with and try and improve THAT technique. Just be aware you will learn a lot of "bad" habits, fix some, and call some your own "style".

I personally try to use good technique when I can, such as if a run or chord can be done the "real" way with the pinky, or cheated with a barre chord, then I'll try to use the more difficult one, which forces good hand position. But if just strumming for fun, substitute the cheat chord to get the right groove, the hand can be more relaxed in this case, as you discovered with D.

Above all, as I think Joe put it, don't spend too much time practicing, spend more time playing.

roo - thanks for that. When I thumbed through the Dummies Guide in the book store I liked the way the authors get you to play songs ASAP - in fact straight after learning A,D,E. But I do need to get the chords right by straight out practice as well as playing songs.

PHOEBE: How many chords do you know?

CHRISSY HYNDE: (shrugs) All of them

:-)

remember, it's not the destination, it's the journey

unless, of course, you're driving in Boston

with music, there is no destination, there is only the journey

~f

hello everyone...

Ally, you mentioned Beyonce. I think she'd put a hurtin' om ya!

Last song before bed: IF I COULD FLY

~cOsMiC~

...night all...

~f

All you muppet fans, heres Another Belter good ol Rainbow

Al:Non stick pans are bad for boobies next time ya bring some birds round yer gaf they might leave their chicks at home!

Fab:I saw G,s desk on myspace, looks awesome, would have loved t have spent more time in Scotland t see everyone.Defo goin t Dublin next year t catch up with the lads, i,ll probably hire a car & do an extra week in jockland then, y have a good xmas yersel?