Fingering Chords

Guitar Villain · #1 July 18th, 2009

Hello. On the very first lesson, I was trying to strum a G chord, but I think I'm either reading it wrong or my fingers are retarded.

On the third fret, I have to hold both the top and bottom string down. And on the second fret, is it the 2nd string from the top or the 5th string from the top I hold down? If the second fret is the 2nd string, then it's hard, but not impossible. If it's the 5th string, then it feels impossible.

Also, is it okay that my other fingers are touching the other strings? I mean, I am holding down on string, but my finger is touching the ones next to them.

Thanks in advance for any info!

Fretsource · #2 July 18th, 2009

Just to clarify - make sure you're naming the strings correctly. The top string (1st string) is the one nearest the floor and the bottom string (6th string) is the one nearest your chin.
So the string you play at fret 2 is the 5th string. It's not ok to touch other adjacent open strings as that will mute the sound of them. It's not an easy chord and will take some time to get it right. (It took me months to get it right

)

There was a thread posted recently talking about different fingerings you can use to play G - all of them are correct and you may find one of the other ways easier.

carol m · #3 July 18th, 2009

Every beginner guitarist thinks fretting is impossible. That is completely normal. They also think their fingers are too fat, too stiff, the fretboard is too narrow, there's something wrong with the strings or the guitar, and they will never get it right.

But every beginner soon finds out if they stick at it that none of the above is true. It doesn't take as long as you think it will, but you will be able to play a lot better soon - good luck.

Guitar Villain · #4 July 18th, 2009

Thanks for the words of encouragement. And the info about naming the strings. Very useful.

For a complete amateur, what would you recommend I try to learn first? Strumming or plucking? I am learning on a classical guitar by the way.

Kirk Lorange · #5 July 19th, 2009

I'd do a bit of both, Gv, try a bit of plucking single notes from those chord shapes, then try strumming the strings with your finger tips ... just get a bit of a feel for it and experiment. There are no real set-in-concrete rules about it all. The only goal is to get those strings vibrating as cleanly as possible to make the nicest sounds possible. In a while you can certainly start to refine it all and get more specific with patterns and various techniques, but at this stage I think it's better just to get a vibe for it all.