Fingering

[murphy]

5 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.

 

It is slow at first.  And it's pretty boring.  That's why so many people give it up, but if you're prepared to do the time and do the graft and get past that awkward cack-handed stage, progress comes much quicker after that, like an exponential curve and it becomes much more enjoyable.  Keep at it.  It's worth it. 

[WigstonWanderer]

7 hours ago, murphy said:

It is slow at first.  And it's pretty boring.  That's why so many people give it up, but if you're prepared to do the time and do the graft and get past that awkward cack-handed stage, progress comes much quicker after that, like an exponential curve and it becomes much more enjoyable.  Keep at it.  It's worth it. 

Yes, I can feel this already. Won’t be putting on a concert anytime soon, but definitely a bit of progress. I’ve found that with a few simple chords it’s possible to play simplified versions of popular tunes (albeit very badly and slowly), and this gives encouragement to keep practising which I seem to be doing more & more.

Edited 17 February 2022 by WigstonWanderer

[WigstonWanderer]

14 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.

 

BTW, any chance of changing the title? I think you might be attracting the wrong audience 

[Parafox]

2 hours ago, WigstonWanderer said:

BTW, any chance of changing the title? I think you might be attracting the wrong audience 

Well, as I'm practising alone, maybe I could change it to "Fingering Myself".

[WigstonWanderer]

3 hours ago, Parafox said:

Well, as I'm practising alone, maybe I could change it to "Fingering Myself".

Now you’re just trying to scare everyone away 

[SecretPro]

[Rob1742]

I’d get a guitar with a different neck radius and put lighter strings on and it will feel completely different.

Each and every guitar is very different so if you went to a decent store they could bring out several for you to try.

I have a fair few guitars, one is a PRS with a pattern thin neck, which feels about half the size of the iconic 59 Gibson.

I remember when I initially went to buy a guitar many years ago the geezer in the store tried to put me off getting a Gibson SG as he said the necks at that particular time would make it more difficult for me to play. 

[WigstonWanderer]

45 minutes ago, Rob1742 said:

I’d get a guitar with a different neck radius and put lighter strings on and it will feel completely different.

Each and every guitar is very different so if you went to a decent store they could bring out several for you to try.

I have a fair few guitars, one is a PRS with a pattern thin neck, which feels about half the size of the iconic 59 Gibson.

I remember when I initially went to buy a guitar many years ago the geezer in the store tried to put me off getting a Gibson SG as he said the necks at that particular time would make it more difficult for me to play. 

Thanks.

 

I seem to have got past the initial issue of sore fingertips as they are now pretty hard. I replaced the strings for lighter ones and it did seem to make a difference, though whether that’s due to the lower string tension, or just psychological I couldn’t say. Perhaps the strings on my guitar could be adjusted to sit a bit closer to the fret. Probably needs checking.

 

A thinner neck could help, but I suppose it’s a trade off as the strings are then closer together so more chance of fingers fouling other strings?

 

I certainly will carry on with this as I’m enjoying it and have a fair bit of free time to practice. I’ve probably put in about 20 to 25 hours by now, but appreciate that maybe 200 hours or more will be needed to get to first base.

 

Several problems remain for me. Firstly I’m not sure I haven’t left this a bit late (late sixties). I have a bit of arthritis creeping in at the base of my thumbs which isn’t too painful as yet, but might become so. It certainly doesn’t help.

 

I’ve discovered that I’ve apparently been placing my thumb in the wrong position (along the back of the neck, towards the headstock when it should be perpendicular to the neck). When I try to do this I find it very difficult to position my index finger, e.g. for a C chord. It kind of curls up on its side and I can’t get the tip of my finger on the string.

 

Transitioning between chords is still very difficult but I see that as a matter of more practice, probably in a more focused and structured way.

 

I also find strumming very difficult. Even simple strumming patterns (not even trying to change chords) feel like I’m trying to pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time. I do wonder if this is another age related mental thing as I do find multi tasking (for the want of a better expression) much more difficult now.

 

Might have to content myself with just playing the first verse of Pink Floyd’s Breathe (2 very simple chords), definitely not the second bit 

 

 

 

 

Edited 23 February 2022 by WigstonWanderer

[Bellend Sebastian]

On 23/02/2022 at 00:23, WigstonWanderer said:

 

 

I also find strumming very difficult. Even simple strumming patterns (not even trying to change chords) feel like I’m trying to pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time. I do wonder if this is another age related mental thing as I do find multi tasking (for the want of a better expression) much more difficult now.

 

 

 

 

 

When I was learning (which sounds like there was a point when I had mastered everything and that was that, really not the case) I became aware that I'd been so obsessed with what my left hand was doing that I was absolutely hopeless at strumming. The thing is, when I actually concentrated on it, it took no time at all to master. I'm not saying that I've got some sort of special gift, more that relative to the left hand stuff it's really easy and will take a fraction of the time to get on top of.

 

Experiment with the angle that you hold the pick at, until it's making a clear sound on the strings but not catching on them, and then just relax and go on feel. It shouldn't need any thinking at all

[WigstonWanderer]

24 minutes ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

When I was learning (which sounds like there was a point when I had mastered everything and that was that, really not the case) I became aware that I'd been so obsessed with what my left hand was doing that I was absolutely hopeless at strumming. The thing is, when I actually concentrated on it, it took no time at all to master. I'm not saying that I've got some sort of special gift, more that relative to the left hand stuff it's really easy and will take a fraction of the time to get on top of.

 

Experiment with the angle that you hold the pick at, until it's making a clear sound on the strings but not catching on them, and then just relax and go on feel. It shouldn't need any thinking at all

I remember when I was first shown how to hold a golf club properly, and it felt incredibly wrong and difficult to do, but is now second nature, so I’m rather hoping this will be similar. Having said that, I seemed to plateau out at golf pretty quickly and am still crap 

 

To carry the analogy further strumming is a bit like putting in golf, absolutely vital, but more boring to do than practicing driving off the tee, so gets neglected. I will certainly try to take your advice.

Edited 25 February 2022 by WigstonWanderer

[Rob1742]

On 23/02/2022 at 00:23, WigstonWanderer said:

Thanks.

 

I seem to have got past the initial issue of sore fingertips as they are now pretty hard. I replaced the strings for lighter ones and it did seem to make a difference, though whether that’s due to the lower string tension, or just psychological I couldn’t say. Perhaps the strings on my guitar could be adjusted to sit a bit closer to the fret. Probably needs checking.

 

A thinner neck could help, but I suppose it’s a trade off as the strings are then closer together so more chance of fingers fouling other strings?

 

I certainly will carry on with this as I’m enjoying it and have a fair bit of free time to practice. I’ve probably put in about 20 to 25 hours by now, but appreciate that maybe 200 hours or more will be needed to get to first base.

 

Several problems remain for me. Firstly I’m not sure I haven’t left this a bit late (late sixties). I have a bit of arthritis creeping in at the base of my thumbs which isn’t too painful as yet, but might become so. It certainly doesn’t help.

 

I’ve discovered that I’ve apparently been placing my thumb in the wrong position (along the back of the neck, towards the headstock when it should be perpendicular to the neck). When I try to do this I find it very difficult to position my index finger, e.g. for a C chord. It kind of curls up on its side and I can’t get the tip of my finger on the string.

 

Transitioning between chords is still very difficult but I see that as a matter of more practice, probably in a more focused and structured way.

 

I also find strumming very difficult. Even simple strumming patterns (not even trying to change chords) feel like I’m trying to pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time. I do wonder if this is another age related mental thing as I do find multi tasking (for the want of a better expression) much more difficult now.

 

Might have to content myself with just playing the first verse of Pink Floyd’s Breathe (2 very simple chords), definitely not the second bit 

 

 

 

 

There is lots going on here, but then this is generally the case with all guitarists, particularly at the beginning.

 

I remember I hit a wall with holding a pick. It was like I just couldn’t play. 
 

There are Just phases and learnings along the way.

 

On the guitar the necks are available thin and fat, they all have various names as a poster put on here above, but the actual board generally stays the same size so that the fingers still have the same surface to play on if that makes sense. So a smaller neck at the back doesn’t mean smaller surface at the front.

 

You could take your guitar to a luthier to get the action lower. I think if the feel is right you will be more comfortable and play better, so that’s an option I would take up. There is a guy in Clarendon Park area that would adjust it for about £40. 
 

It’s a real minefield, and once you get through one minefield there is another. I have just purchased some kit to record and I am scared to do it as it’s the unknown. I am putting off trying it out as it feels like it’s too much hard work. So what you are going through is perfectly normal and just part of the long process. You will hit walls all along the journey.

 

The other thing someone once told me at a store that I took note of is to enjoy the moment. Every single player whoever they are won’t be where they want to be, the journey just never ends. So just relax and if you are pleased that you have managed to put two chords together, be proud of it. I get caught up in thinking it’s not worth carrying on because I am rubbish, but then I get angry at myself for thinking like that and I have to think on what that guy in the store told me.

 

If I were you i would

 

1. get the luthier to adjust it so you know you have that right

 

2. at some point pop into a store to see how other guitars feel, but point 1 should mean this won’t be needed for a while

 

3. just try to enjoy it, which it sounds like you are doing and just try and add a bit of progress wherever you can. 

[AmarteyAndChill]

From experience, I’d say always start with one finger and then go on from there. It always makes it more pleasurable, and at the end of the day that’s the aim. Also, and this is a biggy so write it down, always ask for permission. 

[WigstonWanderer]

Some of these strumming patterns.... I'm not sure I can move my right hand that fast, despite all the practice I've had over the years

[Bellend Sebastian]

Currently trying to learn this:

 

 

I've got accurate tab for it but it's still demanding A LOT of patience

[Flamey]

19 minutes ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

Currently trying to learn this:

 

 

I've got accurate tab for it but it's still demanding A LOT of patience

Lovely tone, you got anywhere near it?

 

[Bellend Sebastian]

43 minutes ago, Flamey said:

Lovely tone, you got anywhere near it?

 

Not really, it's going to take a bit of time. The descending chord sequence is easy, but the timing of the picking is quite fiddly and there's some of that hammering on while plucking another string that I always struggle with.

 

I'll keep at it though as I love it

[murphy]

Great song.

Edited 9 March 2022 by murphy

[Górnik Leicester]

Started work on building my own guitar this weekend, using a kit from kitbuiltguitars.co.uk. Always wanted something unique, and thought it'd be a good project.

 

Had to wait for a lefty kit to come into stock, but have gone for a Tele-style. Have replaced all of the stock, chrome hardware for gold equivalents (apart from the bridge, which I've had to spray gold, because I can't get a decently-priced lefty one anywhere), and am going for a translucent blue finish.

 

Started by shaping the headstock, sanding and staining the neck and body. Sanded again, to try to bring out the grain a bit more before spraying with the translucent blue. Enjoying so far!

[Flamey]

@Górnik Leicester Good luck!

There is a Guitars thread in the music forum which might be more apt..not sure if you've seen it..as amusing as this thread title is 👍

[filthyfox]

Quite hilarious..  I came into this thinking it was advice to please my lady!

[Parafox]

9 hours ago, filthyfox said:

Quite hilarious..  I came into this thinking it was advice to please my lady!

Strumming is key...