Fingering

[KingsX]

16 hours ago, Jattdogg said:

Lol sorry had to laugh.

...You know what they say about men with short fingers...

 

When I saw the thread title I bet myself a beer you would be the first to respond 

 

So it'll be two with our burritos later 

 

[The Guvnor]

YouTube, learn a few barre chords.

You'll be rocking along with Status Quo in weeks.

[murphy]

Don't worry, it's part and parcel of being a beginner.  In fact I would be amazed if I came across a beginner that didn't have this problem.

 

Whenever I have tried to teach people guitar I have always asked them to try to relax their left hand.  Beginners always seem to be so contorted, stiff and pressing down as if their life depended on it.  When you get used to moving your hands freely around the fretboard you will find that you don't really need that much pressure and there is no discomfort, but that can only come from practice and getting past this stage.

 

Incidentally, If I put my hands together, as if in prayer, I find that the fingers of my left hand are about 1cm longer than my right.  Years of guitar playing I suppose.

[Parafox]

Thank you to all who have replied with advice. I tried to do on-line/self learning as I did when trying to play the drums. I can now play the drums but not to any recognisable standard lol, and my kit isn't the best and doesn't give the greatest satisfaction in terms of notes and sound.

I think the advice to have formal lessons for the guitar is the way to go. At least I'll have an instructor helping me with hand positions and finger pressures on the fret and encouraging me to take my time to learn. I'm quite impatient and want results asap. That's why I get frustrated and maybe try to hard on my own. 

Thanks again.

[Fox92]

7 hours ago, Scotch said:

....alternatively, pick up a Uke. After about 20 years of playing guitar I picked up my step daughters Ukelele and have to day, they are just far more fun. I don't know... maybe it's because I'm getting fatter, I'm automatically drawn to it. 

I think it was George Harrison who said everyone should have a Ukulele. 

[Scotch]

16 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

I think it was George Harrison who said everyone should have a Ukulele. 

They are just so fun. Especially if you are a guitar player because all you need to know is the chords and your progression is insanely fast

[Jattdogg]

11 hours ago, KingsX said:

 

When I saw the thread title I bet myself a beer you would be the first to respond 

 

So it'll be two with our burritos later 

 

Lol, i am a sad individual.

 

Were the burritos and beer good?

[J. James]

The good news is that small fingers (like mine) are not a bar (no pun intended) to excellence, watch some tube videos of kids playing complex pieces and you'll see what l mean.

Buy a narrower necked guitar with a lower action (l have a Takamine P5) which plays more like an electric due to the neck and action.

Be sure your technique is correct, your thumb should be along the central line of the neck and your elbow not tucked into your body - this opens up your hand more,

 try  it and notice how moving your elbow out alters the shape of your fretting hand.

Most important is practice and perseverance!

DONT GIVE UP!

[KingsX]

9 hours ago, Jattdogg said:

Lol, i am a sad individual.

 

Were the burritos and beer good?

 

Do you even have to ask.  Moe's burritos with 13% imperial stouts spiked with cinnamon ... the 2020 and 2021 Prairie Christmas Bombs.

"Last Christmas" and "this Christmas".  Not a listenable song, but delectable when consumed as ale.

 

To get back on track,

I have short fingers and an axe with a narrow neck (Luna Apollo).  It does make most things easier, but on dense chords (even a simple A) there is less room to fit your fingers.  Also I'm likelier to inadvertently mute an open string (e.g. top E on a barred B chord) because the strings are closer together.  So for me there are tradeoffs.

[Oxfordfox83]

On 12/01/2022 at 19:41, Parafox said:

Thank you to all who have replied with advice. I tried to do on-line/self learning as I did when trying to play the drums. I can now play the drums but not to any recognisable standard lol, and my kit isn't the best and doesn't give the greatest satisfaction in terms of notes and sound.

I think the advice to have formal lessons for the guitar is the way to go. At least I'll have an instructor helping me with hand positions and finger pressures on the fret and encouraging me to take my time to learn. I'm quite impatient and want results asap. That's why I get frustrated and maybe try to hard on my own. 

Thanks again.

My teacher many years ago was John Joslin on Ratcliffe Road. I think he still lives there if you’re anywhere local-guy’s an absolute beast of a teacher, and not pricey. 

[WigstonWanderer]

I was inspired by this thread to finally pick up an Ashton acoustic guitar that I bought about 15 years ago. I doubt that I even got as far as tuning it before. My first attempt to learn must have been in mid teens. No YouTube, couldn’t afford lessons, and quickly got discouraged by sore fingers, I concluded that it was all too hard and gave up.

 

Now, late sixties, I regret not having had more determination when I was younger, but I’m hoping to give it a go. I’ve been practising using the Marty Music videos on YouTube for a week, and it is quite satisfying to learn a couple of simple chords and strum away randomly but still produce something that vaguely sounds like a tune.

 

Got to say that I am struggling though.

- Sore fingertips, gradually hardening but rather numb.

- Memorising the chords, age doesn’t help.

- Getting fingers (rather short and fat) into the right position to play the chords (difficult to prevent buzzing).

- Strumming is surprisingly difficult. I either miss most of the strings altogether or dig in and twang.

- Even holding the pick is hard. Seems to move around in my grasp.

 

Anyway, I’m determined to have a decent go this time and am encouraged by the advice to practice at least 5 mins a day. By keeping the guitar in my study I find I’m constantly picking it up and 5 mins turns into 20.

 

Edit: I forgot the hardest one of all. Transitioning between chords! If I hold the guitar correctly, I can’t see the strings or frets, so I have to remember exactly where they are! You’re kidding, right?

Edited 13 February 2022 by WigstonWanderer

[VLC86]

17 hours ago, WigstonWanderer said:

I was inspired by this thread to finally pick up an Ashton acoustic guitar that I bought about 15 years ago. I doubt that I even got as far as tuning it before. My first attempt to learn must have been in mid teens. No YouTube, couldn’t afford lessons, and quickly got discouraged by sore fingers, I concluded that it was all too hard and gave up.

 

Now, late sixties, I regret not having had more determination when I was younger, but I’m hoping to give it a go. I’ve been practising using the Marty Music videos on YouTube for a week, and it is quite satisfying to learn a couple of simple chords and strum away randomly but still produce something that vaguely sounds like a tune.

 

Got to say that I am struggling though.

- Sore fingertips, gradually hardening but rather numb.

- Memorising the chords, age doesn’t help.

- Getting fingers (rather short and fat) into the right position to play the chords (difficult to prevent buzzing).

- Strumming is surprisingly difficult. I either miss most of the strings altogether or dig in and twang.

- Even holding the pick is hard. Seems to move around in my grasp.

 

Anyway, I’m determined to have a decent go this time and am encouraged by the advice to practice at least 5 mins a day. By keeping the guitar in my study I find I’m constantly picking it up and 5 mins turns into 20.

 

Edit: I forgot the hardest one of all. Transitioning between chords! If I hold the guitar correctly, I can’t see the strings or frets, so I have to remember exactly where they are! You’re kidding, right?

The best advice to get over all of this is to keep practising. When I started 2 years ago I forced myself to do an hour a day, mainly on an app called Guitar Tricks that I would recommend to be more structured than the free videos.

 

Keep at it, everyone has the same issues when they first start.

[WigstonWanderer]

6 minutes ago, Costock_Fox said:

The best advice to get over all of this is to keep practising. When I started 2 years ago I forced myself to do an hour a day, mainly on an app called Guitar Tricks that I would recommend to be more structured than the free videos.

 

Keep at it, everyone has the same issues when they first start.

Thanks. I saw references to Guitar Tricks. Might give it a go.

[VLC86]

9 minutes ago, WigstonWanderer said:

Thanks. I saw references to Guitar Tricks. Might give it a go.

It’s about 10 a month, can’t go wrong really to get you started. 

Edited 14 February 2022 by Costock_Fox

[Vacamion]

 

I play in a band (although we are all old uns and we haven't done a gig in well over two years, but we do practice together occasionally) and quite a few years ago I taught a group of 3 people I worked with.

 

I think if a new learner can learn to do 

 

E A B

 

and, separately, 

 

C Am F G

 

and play them in that order, 

 

they can play along to hundreds of songs (and probably 90% of old rock and roll or 99% of Status Quo, for that matter  )

 

I've been playing for years and still love a good old wig out playing E, A and B.

 

As for the small fingers chat - one of the best guitarists I know has wee stubby fingers. They are like chipolatas, and he gets on fine.

 

It's not the size, it's how you use it, I've heard 

 

[WigstonWanderer]

16 hours ago, Vacamion said:

 

I play in a band (although we are all old uns and we haven't done a gig in well over two years, but we do practice together occasionally) and quite a few years ago I taught a group of 3 people I worked with.

 

I think if a new learner can learn to do 

 

E A B

 

and, separately, 

 

C Am F G

 

and play them in that order, 

 

they can play along to hundreds of songs (and probably 90% of old rock and roll or 99% of Status Quo, for that matter  )

 

I've been playing for years and still love a good old wig out playing E, A and B.

 

As for the small fingers chat - one of the best guitarists I know has wee stubby fingers. They are like chipolatas, and he gets on fine.

 

It's not the size, it's how you use it, I've heard 

 

F chord 😱
 

Edit: Might have to do without B as well 

Edited 15 February 2022 by WigstonWanderer

[WigstonWanderer]

I was doing some reading and thinking of buying a Parlor style guitar. I find my current Dreadnought a bit cumbersome, and word has it that a smaller model might be better for a beginner. Anyone got any thoughts? If so, which model up to about 600 quid?

 

Also, any thoughts on lighter strings? I believe they don’t need as much force to hold them down.

 

Basically anything to make this as easy as possible.

[deejdeej]

On 12/01/2022 at 14:49, oakman said:

Me after clicking the post and then finding out what it was about.

 

 

I was equally disappointed 

[murphy]

3 hours ago, WigstonWanderer said:

I was doing some reading and thinking of buying a Parlor style guitar. I find my current Dreadnought a bit cumbersome, and word has it that a smaller model might be better for a beginner. Anyone got any thoughts? If so, which model up to about 600 quid?

 

Also, any thoughts on lighter strings? I believe they don’t need as much force to hold them down.

 

Basically anything to make this as easy as possible.

My advice - at least master an F chord before you go and blow six hundred quid!

 

As for the strings (or the 'action' as guitar heads call it), don't worry.  That is not where the problem lies.  There isn't a model that will make things easier.  You have to put the time in.  Consign those chords to muscle memory and then you will find that it really doesn't take much pressure to voice a chord and that buzzing will disappear.  There' no short cuts I'm afraid but you do have to put the hours in until your hands move freely around the fretboard and you don't have to think about chord shapes or look at the fretboard.  It's the same for everyone and you will get there.

 

Until then, don't spend any money on a new guitar.

 

 

Edited 15 February 2022 by murphy

[Bellend Sebastian]

18 hours ago, murphy said:

My advice - at least master an F chord before you go and blow six hundred quid!

 

As for the strings (or the 'action' as guitar heads call it), don't worry.  That is not where the problem lies.  There isn't a model that will make things easier.  You have to put the time in.  Consign those chords to muscle memory and then you will find that it really doesn't take much pressure to voice a chord and that buzzing will disappear.  There' no short cuts I'm afraid but you do have to put the hours in until your hands move freely around the fretboard and you don't have to think about chord shapes or look at the fretboard.  It's the same for everyone and you will get there.

 

Until then, don't spend any money on a new guitar.

 

 

Absolutely this, saved me posting pretty much exactly the same thing.

 

Repetition, repetition, repetition. Turn off your brain. Also, don't stare at where your fingers are on the fretboard - once you know where they're supposed to be, concentrate on feel, because the frets don't move and the layout of most chords is pretty simple.

 

I agree that buying another guitar at this point or changing the strings probably isn't going to help.

 

I'd look on a better instrument as something to reward yourself with when you've made progress, rather than a path to making it easier to be able to play. Unless your instrument is truly horrible (and it's only the £60 acoustics that fall into this category in my experience) it's unlikely to be a massive barrier to learning. If anything, a slightly less forgiving instrument encourages better habits and helps develop the required finger strength quicker

[Flamey]

9 minutes ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

Absolutely this, saved me posting pretty much exactly the same thing.

 

Repetition, repetition, repetition. Turn off your brain. Also, don't stare at where your fingers are on the fretboard - once you know where they're supposed to be, concentrate on feel, because the frets don't move and the layout of most chords is pretty simple.

 

I agree that buying another guitar at this point or changing the strings probably isn't going to help.

 

I'd look on a better instrument as something to reward yourself with when you've made progress, rather than a path to making it easier to be able to play. Unless your instrument is truly horrible (and it's only the £60 acoustics that fall into this category in my experience) it's unlikely to be a massive barrier to learning. If anything, a slightly less forgiving instrument encourages better habits and helps develop the required finger strength quicker

Fantastic post, echoes my thoughts exactly.

[Countryfox]

On 12/01/2022 at 17:14, KingsX said:

 

When I saw the thread title I bet myself a beer you would be the first to respond 

 

So it'll be two with our burritos later 

 

Was just about to post the same thing …. that boy is sooooooo predictable ..  

[WigstonWanderer]

21 hours ago, murphy said:

My advice - at least master an F chord before you go and blow six hundred quid!

 

As for the strings (or the 'action' as guitar heads call it), don't worry.  That is not where the problem lies.  There isn't a model that will make things easier.  You have to put the time in.  Consign those chords to muscle memory and then you will find that it really doesn't take much pressure to voice a chord and that buzzing will disappear.  There' no short cuts I'm afraid but you do have to put the hours in until your hands move freely around the fretboard and you don't have to think about chord shapes or look at the fretboard.  It's the same for everyone and you will get there.

 

Until then, don't spend any money on a new guitar.

 

 

Hey, I managed an F chord today. Alright, only 2 or 3 times out of umpteen attempts, but can I treat myself to an expensive guitar now? 

 

Thanks for all the comments guys. I will keep trying, and I completely accept that it’s not likely to be easy and will take loads of practice.

 

@Parafoxhow are you getting on? Any progress?

Edited 16 February 2022 by WigstonWanderer

[Parafox]

3 hours ago, WigstonWanderer said:

Hey, I managed an F chord today. Alright, only 2 or 3 times out of umpteen attempts, but can I treat myself to an expensive guitar now? 

 

Thanks for all the comments guys. I will keep trying, and I completely accept that it’s not likely to be easy and will take loads of practice.

 

@Parafoxhow are you getting on? Any progress?

Slow. Gotta keep going. I need some face to face lessons but my local tutors are all booked up for the time being.

 

[WigstonWanderer]

4 hours ago, Parafox said:

Slow. Gotta keep going. I need some face to face lessons but my local tutors are all booked up for the time being.

 

The tips of my fingers are definitely hardening, but still rather numb.