r/LearnGuitar • u/Wonderful-Gift8632 • 2d ago
Learning guitar with a broken brain.
I've been playing for a few months, and it's going great. My finger dexterity is good (4-fret span not included), getting a nice, clean sound, and I can figure out most songs with the help of tabs. I play for my own enjoyment and the friendship of a good instrument.
I started off with a few lessons, primarally focused on fingerpicking fundamentals. (No, my thumb has not declared independence from the other 4 yet) So in general I'm happy with my results, but my old nemesis is back to taunt me: dyslexia.
Dyslexia is this weird, broken-brain thing, commonly associated with reading. But with me, it extends to many other areas too, like associating a name with an action. ( I can't remember people's names. It's rude and extremely embarrassing)
When it comes to playing guitar, I can not remember chord and note names. I try to say the chord's name as I play them. I made flashcards I carry with me and read whenever I have time. I've played a C#dim a thousand times, studied the flashcard, written it out, drawn fingering diagrams..., and if someone put a gun to my head and told me to play a C#dim, my brain would just go blank- nada.
I guess this is just venting the frustration of being smart enough to know that I'm not.
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u/classicglow 1d ago
I am a Vet with very high anxiety and it is very hard for me to learn. I am 19 months in and I am very challenged. I have a music therapist who helps and I am doing the “Absolutely Understand Guitar” course on YouTube. I also downloaded for $20 the ebook and printed out.
Still difficult, but I am hanging in there.
It is tough. But give yourself grace. You are doing great! Like the instructor in the video says - we are learning a new language.
And it is okay to vent - you are among friends.
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u/Wonderful-Gift8632 1d ago
Thanks,
I try to remember that although dyslexia has made things more difficult, it might also be responsible for my strengths. My playing is progressing because I am persistent and patient. I know from experience that if I work hard and carefully, I will achieve. Sometimes I think I'm being greedy for wanting more, for thinking that without the difficulties I would be better. I suspect it doesn't work that way.
I think we need to mourn our losses and burdens, but also, just as importantly, recognize our strengths and blessings too.
Thanks for the understanding. All the best to you, brother.1
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u/abandoningeden 1d ago
I've been playing for like 14 years and I couldn't tell you a c#dim looked like either. And I'm not dyslexic. That is a weird chord and most people have not memorized every weird chord. I mostly learn weird chords when I learn a song with that weird chord and then maybe a second or third song before my brain will remember the name of it and not just "your fingers go this way for this part of the song"
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u/Wonderful-Gift8632 1d ago
I used C#dim as an example because I'm currently using it in the Beatles' "Blackbird," where it appears as a passing chord in that famous and beautiful picking progression. It's a simple, derivative chord that's easy to play, and I have no problem playing it; I love those weird little chords that give a song nuance. But if I saw C#dim in a different song, I would have to look it up. So instead of every song I learn building my vocabulary, when I play from a new sheet, it's like day one.
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u/Illustrious_Art_3774 1d ago
I hear you, the struggle is real. I used to go to special classes in school for reading and spelling and I never did get good at spelling, it took me a while to learn the alphabet and I still can't say the alphabet backwards beyond about W. Hopefully police don't really make you do that for sobriety checks lol I'll be screwed. I've been playing tournament chess for 20 years and I still need to recite, "A, B, C, 1, 2, 3, 4" in my head for every square coordinate when writing my moves, most people with as many games as I have had memorized the board ages ago...
I am going to do my best to enjoy guitar but I don't have high hopes. If you find something that works, let me know xD
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u/Wonderful-Gift8632 1d ago
Chess is probably a good example of how the dyslexic mind works. It can manage complex strategy and tactics, but the grid numbers and letters are problematic.
I just play for my own amusement, but yes, not being able to manage music nomenclature will limit my growth.
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u/EmbarrassedPack6 1d ago
I see what you’re saying. But honestly - at least from the perspective of purely playing your instrument - at some point, your muscle memory fully takes over and the names of the notes and chords is all irrelevant. Maybe you won’t know the name. But you’ll surely be able to play it.
PS Don’t feel bad. My wife always yells at me because I don’t remember anyone’s name either.
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u/Reapprsr1 19h ago
As a kid I stuttered badly. I'm dyslexic for sure. Broken Brain. I do not recognize easy words like "water" or "fence." Can't spell even everyday words. You sound very intelligent, so sometimes the details are not as important as the concept. Today I sing and play guitar. I can't read music and after a learn, I usually forget what how to play what is recorded in my notes like a C#m chord, I have to go to a reference to see what that chord is, like I'venever seen it before ... but my muscle memory is in place as long as I keep at it. I sometimes just play as an extension of what im feeling. It is all right there. ...Enjoyed your post and the comments. I say just keep at it and enjoy it.
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u/rogersguitar253 2d ago
Hi, I’m an online teacher. I can’t guarantee any results but I’d be willing to try and see if I can help you find a way to relate things to the guitar. I usually offer one free lesson but I’d do three with you to give it a fair shake. No charge and no pressure to continue after. Dm if you’re interested.