re: Playing your guitar, "Offishal" check in thread. Do you feel like I do?

I have been playing for about a month and am surprised at my progression. I can play G,C,D,Em,Am,A all pretty well. What should be my next step? I absolutely suck at Barre chords. I don't have a clue where to even start. I have small hands and don't know how I'll ever play an F.

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. I don't have a clue where to even start

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Where's your thumb placement... how are you holding the neck? For me getting the thumb down toward the center was key to start with. It helps not only with clamping strength but reach which helps by using the more fleshy parts of your finger. For me this was much easier.

However key was rolling the barre a wee bit and using a slightly curved finger. Such that I'm using the side parts more than just bottom center. This was the clincher - so to speak. My particular style is that on some barres (A-type bar) it's the peg head side of finger and other barres it's more of the bridge or body side of finger. This made them not only (way) easier but helps in transition from one chord to the next chord.

It also helped to realize a barre only had to hold down those strings not fretted by my other fingers. It stopped me from trying to recreate the nut. This when coupled with a more curved barre allows you to concentrate more on those top and bottom strings. And less on re-fretting strings that were already chosen.

Hang in there... You'll eventually get to where they become easier than something like a C style open chord. Where an A-barre on the third-fret when use in passing is like buttery smooth and essy. And then you'll learn about short barres and start only using those parts of a full barre that you want. Maybe 3-4 strings worth. This is especially true on something like an open G-style barre ... where it's almost simple once you've dropped a string or two. (hint: you can barre any open chord)

eta: xtra thoughts on re-read

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What do you think guys? A beginners theory thread?

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That would be sweet. It could cover theory and technique.

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What do you think guys? A beginners theory thread?

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Would appreciate this from you guys

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I feel like I have long sense plateaued as a player

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I plateaued along time ago as well but play almost daily now as it a very relaxing hobby for me. I can set a drum track or backing track off youtube (mostly rock and blues,and jam for hours on end in my "no girls allowed" garage shop turned into music studio. (Have 5 females in the house)

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Nice office/studio.I see an Ovation hanging

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Just put the carpet in this weekend and over the last month spent a lot of time hiding wires, mounting TV & speakers, 12" sub, stereo and PC Finally coming together where I can just play, watch games etc..

That is a poor mans Ovation as I bought as a cheap travel guitar because I busted the head on my original travel guitar

Anyone on the board a fan of instrumental / virtuoso style guitar music? I'm referring to the likes of Buckethead, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Andy Timmons, John Petrucci, Zakk Wylde, etc.

I am, but seriously Wylde? Hell to the no. He’s not even close to being in the same league as those guys.

Check out Richie Kotzen’s concert from 2015. It will probably shake up your order of virtuosos. Timmons is probably my favorite on that list. The big sleeper is Greg Howe. Another guy is Ray Gomez, but his stuff is hard to find. He played quite a bit with a Stanley Clarke.

But the king is still Jeff Beck. Jimmy Herring will probably reach that level eventually. A couple of new guys are Plini and Nick Johnston.