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I never really had a "problem" really, but they would turn around sometimes. I took grip tape, like they use on skateboards or stair treads to keep from slipping. Anyway, I put some on top and bottom of the pick and problem solved. I don't have a hard attack I just hold my picks really light and more towards the top of it.

Hi John,

Welcome to the Chordie machine. Glad to hear that you are learning to play the crazy shaped box with strings.

I have an Ibanez dread also and on it I have Dean Markley light(2002a) strings on it. I have them on my a/e yamaha also. I use Markleys bcuz they are cheaper than most and suit my needs just fine. String choice is a very personal thing.

Welcome Bodie!!!!

I am in the same boat as you. I'm learning Wild World by Cat Stevens. It has 2 riffs in it that are picked. I've been working on the change for awhile now and I do see improvement. You just gotta keep after it. Papa is right on point. I use my pinky and ring finger to anchor when picking.

Maybe give this a look:
http://justinguitar.com/en/ST-301-WishYouWereHere.php

It's the intro to Wish you Were Here by Pink Floyd. It has more picking than strumming, but it does mix. And it's slow too, so you can get a good feel for it.

Keep practicing!!!!

Hello All!!!!

Papa is right on target here. They are keeping great music alive. That is a must in our music stagnant world. Which brings me to my next point. Like Russell said, they have an inability to be unique or original. I have a hard time new music I like. It seems like everything is sounding the same. If you've heard a few new artists, you've heard the next 10. Isn't it about time for another musical revolution? Motown, Rock, Disco, Pop, Metal, Grunge, Bubblegum Pop, Hip Hop???????? I just haven't heard anything that is the next step in the evolution of music. Maybe we have run out of original and unique music. Kind of like movies, no new ideas so let's remake ones that have no business being re-made yet. So until the next big change in music takes place, I guess all we have are tribute and cover bands. Which, to come full circle here, is keeping great music alive.

Took my 6 year old fishing in mid Feb to our local regional park. $15 to get in and fish.(Well spent money, NOT) No body was catchin anything. I saw maybe 5 trout on stringers. Bluegill weren't even biting. We left there and went to a local park that has 2 little ponds. Saw some 12 -15 inch Bass I want to catch there, they weren't biting either. I was very surprised. I can't remember a time when I didn't catch anything. To keep my son entertained I ususally rig up a cane pole and help him catch little Bluegill and Warmouth. But there was nothing to be had on that trip. He did have fun casting his Spiderman pole that his grandpa bought him. Weather's warming up so we'll go again soon.

Papa, those sturgeon look nice. That's a good size to catch. Any bigger and it would be work instead of fun. By the looks of how all 3 of you are dressed I would say that the weather wouldn't agree with me. Don't like the cold.

That guy is my favorite teacher!!! I visit his channel often.

Glad to hear that you are making some progress Tony.

I agree with Papa, you can't concentrate on one thing too much. Your strumming has to be at the point where you don't have to think about what you're doing. When I learn a new song with a diff strum pattern I strum it to death before I try to sing along. Also, maybe try to say just the word that is at each chord change. That way there is still more strumming than singing. You can fill in the rest of the singing as you get better.  I don't know what songs your trying to sing, but I know a few that have a short strum pattern like the one your playing, and they are a little tough to sing. If you don't sing on the right beat it doesn't sound right. Or maybe like Roger said, humm it, then say just the word at each chord change.

It will come to you. Just keep pluggin. Look at where you were a couple months ago and where you are now.

That's a tough thing to go thru no matter how many times you do it. We lost our Mastiff, wow 2 years ago now. He went really quick. Within two weeks he went from being fine to passing. He was only 8. Our thoughs are with you Zurf, and Ivy too.

Geo, if you are a dog lover you WILL get another one sooner or later. Ours was our first "baby". When he passed I told my wife the same thing as you. I won't get another so I don't have to go thru losing one again. But this past year I have been looking for a new puppy. So, never say never.

Picks are on the move again. Mailed out the package yesterday to the next lucky recipient.

Try to pick out something that you think you can't play because it's too hard. The only way to advance is to try things that are out of your reach. Just like when you first started playing, everything was new and hard. There is always something new to learn. You just have to expand your search a little. Everyone else's advice is spot on. Diff music is a really good one. The blues is really cool.

Plateaus are a good thing in disguise. They allow you to polish what you already know and to make sure you're playing consistently.

Just keep at it and make sure to challenge yourself.

WOW!!!!

We cover a very wide spectrum don't we? But no doctors, lawyers, or rocket scientists, hmmmmm....

Very cool stuff tho, keep 'em coming.