[jammerz4life]

I started "playing" the guitar last night. I cant seem to get my fingers to memorize the 4 chords in the beginner section and its driving me nuts. Every time i try to change chords i always hit other strings and it doesn't sound right. What other techniques could i use to get my fat fingers to stay on only the one string i need them to be on?

[jammerz4life]

Originally Posted by AX7221

Barre chords are when you use a finger to fret multiple strings. Most common is when you use your index finger. The thing is with barre chords is they take more practice than other chords, so don't give them up if you're having trouble with them, we all did/do

As for fretting the A chord, you can do it however you like. I'm not sure how you're fretting it but one idea that comes to mind is I play a D chord (xx0232) by barring the E and G strings with my index finger, but now I'm trying to relearn it by using 3 finger instead of 2 b/c now I'm trying to learn a song that I open the E string but keep the G string fretted. I'm not saying its bad to play an A chord with 2 fingers, just that from now on when I learn chords I try to think about how the way I'm fretting it can make things easier or harder for me down the line.

Oh true true.... Im really thinking my guitar is too small because when i look at other people play it seems like they have sooo much room and i cant even fit my 3 fingers in one fret. I think I got a ukulele instead of a guitar

[Stratrat]

Originally Posted by jammerz4life

Oh true true.... Im really thinking my guitar is too small because when i look at other people play it seems like they have sooo much room and i cant even fit my 3 fingers in one fret. I think I got a ukulele instead of a guitar

Look at the meat hooks that Redd Volkaert plays guitar with. He manages to make it sound pretty good, too. It's just a matter of practice - everybody feels like they have fat, clumsy fingers when they first start playing. It takes a while to develop the muscle memory and finger placement to get rid of the feeling. Keep at it and you'll see.

[tomg123]

Well your original post was 4 days ago, so you been playing
5 days. You should probably just be getting your fingers in
the right spot for a chord. Switching between em comes later.
After 2 and half years i still think i could be switching smoother
at times, and i can barely use barre chords. Just enjoy whatever
level your at

[jammerz4life]

actually when i said i was taking a break for a day i ended up going to a friends house and then going to his lake house so its been 3 days.

[redrider37]

Originally Posted by jammerz4life

actually when i said i was taking a break for a day i ended up going to a friends house and then going to his lake house so its been 3 days.

Hi Jammer,

take it easy, don't be too impatient, enjoy and follow advice on here or in the books you have, take lessons as well,.

Barr chords need strength and unless you are a builder or manual worker you may not have the strength to press all 6 strings down at once, I work in an office and barr chords caused me horrendous problems, especially "F" chord. Open chords by the way are the normal chords that you are learning now.

Your fingers will be sore, very sore, they will get callouses on them, they will help because you will be able to press down on strings and the fleshy part of your finger won't interfere as much with the strings next to the ones you are fretting.

Good luck

[AX7221]

Originally Posted by tomg123

Just enjoy whatever level your at

Well Said! Very Well Said!!