Randy120

I wanted a 12-string acoustic guitar for a long time. I also wanted a Martin. Of course Martin guitars don't come cheap. This made in Mexico Martin 12-string costs $749. This is no luxury model. The HPL (High Pressure Laminate) body is made of paper and epoxy heated under pressure. The wood pattern is literally a print out. What I like: Solid Sitka top. The guitar sounds very good. Easy to play for a 12-string. Body edges are rounded. Neck is solid wood and it has nicely rounded edges also. Nice gig bag. Built in Martin electronics with tuner sounds very good through the Fishman Loudbox Mini. Martin DC-X2E 12-string Acoustic-electric Guitar - Brazilian Rosewood Pattern | Sweetwater

Gary is correct. You can start with the CAGED keys because they are constantly used for guitar. Learn the octaves so you can find all the A's etc. You will find the patterns repeat. Play a pattern in A move two frets now you are playing B with the same pattern. You can always add more keys later. Three notes on a string is a really good learning tool.

Still here since 2010. I did a lot of learning, but I would not say I mastered Steve's course. He got me playing though. I am still working on it.

I played the Mini again last night. I am starting to think this is a great little guitar. The setup on it is perfect. The materials on the 50th anniversary are high quality. It looks and plays great!

Last night, I connected the Mini to my Fishman Loudbox Mini, and the sound quality was impressive with the ES2 pickups. I never plugged in the old mini with the slide-in pickup due to the annoying buzz. The guitar's weight is only 3 pounds and 14 ounces, which made playing while standing quite comfortable.

I had a Taylor GS Mini Mahogany, but I traded it for a Grand Pacific. Mine was one of the first Mini's so it didn't have the pickup. The add on pickup was easy to install, but the sound was noisy so I traded it. I decided I still liked the small travel guitar for many purposes. I found this nicely upgraded Mini so I grabbed it. I just received my new Taylor GS Mini-e 50th Anniversary. This model has several upgrades to the standard model. It has a layered Rosewood back and sides, torrefied Sitka top, diamond inlays, gold tuners, upgrade nut/saddle. If you are looking for a smaller acoustic guitar the GS Mini should be on your list.

But what if the power fails? For this reason, I would pick the acoustic. No amp required. Steve, Good point about nylon strings being easier in the long run. I might go with my Taylor Grand Pacific, but I also have a Taylor nylon string Tns24ce.

Anthony Fesmire is a good insructor.

@matonanjin Yes, Beato is a great resource. I watch his YT videos each week. The Beato book is a very deep supplement to the music theory Steve is teaching. The Ear Training program is excellent with real time testing and feedback. Of course it isn't good to overload yourself when focused practice on your current material is the best course.

Six strings? How about 40? I had to find out what this strange instrument is. Just for fun!

Are you looking for new learning materials? Rick Beato is selling The Beato Ultimate Bundle for $99. These are online products. There is a lot of learning here. You get the following: The Beato Book Interactive The Ear Training Program The Beato Beginner Guitar Course Quick Lessons Pro - Guitar Course I am spending my time with his ear training course now. This is one of my big weakness. The sale goes on for 2 more days. The Beato Ultimate Bundle

My condolences to you.

It never hurts to work on a technique that pushes you. I have explored some of the exercises myself. For myself I play a lot of fingerstyle which is mostly me winging it, and it still sounds great. On the other hand I would not call my technique precise. If you want just a certain sound you need be precise. If you want to play Stairway to Heaven then there is a very specific path to follow. I know because I have the Led Zeppelin Box Set Authentic Guitar Tab which shows the magic. I took the time to learn the fingerstyle for Stairway along with the 6 other sections, it was challenging and great fun to hear that sound come from my guitar. Steve taught me several other fingerstyle songs including If, Hallelujah, and Dust in the Wind. I play fingerstyle to change up song sections too. Have fun with it!

Well done. Don't give up on fingerstyle.

@Matt_B You have at least a couple years of material. The time estimates are just that. You are not in a race. You can complete the course on your own timetable. Practice and play every day. Learn to play songs with your new skills. Be relentless! Play like you mean it!