Hi, this is my first post and I am also a newbie to Banjo Ben. I play several other instruments (piano, flute, ukulele (a little), some percussion) well and have a degree in music. Already I have found that these lessons have filled in many gaps for me. I love learning with these lessons. You have a gift for instilling joy in playing Ben! Keep up the good work.
I had a strong desire about 4 years ago to pick up guitar. I have tried over the past 30 years to play, hoping my very petite hands would grow, but that hasn’t happened. Because of a cyst on a tendon in my left wrist, it was excessively painful for me to play back then. God has since healed me and I’ve been slowly working to build dexterity & strength in my fingers, having conquered the A & E major chord progressions (B7 major chord, not B). I am glad I have found enjoyment in it. I also was given a 3/4 student guitar which has helped quite a bit. The smaller distance around the neck has helped me attain proficiency in the A & E chord progression.
Now that I’ve started these lessons, I want to try to master the other chords so I don’t have to rely on a capo. I still find the F chord and B chord that you showed in the lessons quite a feat to master and a bit painful for my wrist. Would there be any stretches or exercises I could use to help the dexterity of my fingers and wrist so it’s not quite so painful? The cyst created similar symptoms to carpal tunnel problems, if that is helpful to your advice.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate all you are doing to help us learn to spread the joy of music with others. ~Debbie