Today’s song “Don’t Try so Hard” by Amy Grant is perfect for this assignment, because this guitar practice is all about learning to relax and stop trying so hard. Once again, our assignment involves easy beginner chords that we should know by now (G, C, Em, D, Am), so we don’t have to focus on the challenge of remembering chord shapes (if you don’t have those chords memorized yet, I suggest saving this song practice for when you do, so that you’ll get more out of the experience). The focus is on trying to stay consistent and smooth, developing an awareness of when strumming is incomplete, jumpy, and irregular.
I love Amy Grant’s music and I’m so excited to be learning her songs! “Don’t Try so Hard” has inspiring lyrics that I sometimes hear in my head when I’m anxious about trying to get something right, when I’m feeling exhausted, and when I feel like I’m not good enough.
I love how music can help us feel as if our human emotions are universal, shared, understood, and accepted. Acceptance feels like love, much like we are loved by God. If you’re learning guitar along with me, keep strummin’. Until next time, xoxo
