[Lizzy says rawr]

Though I'm not new to playing music, I'm pretty new to playing guitar. Every time I try to play a chord, some finger or another is in the way! That, of course, screws up a note and makes the whole chord sound horrible. Is it possible that I'm placing my fingers in the wrong position or is having my fingers just right come with practice?
I find wind instruments way easier, but I want to play guitar so badly. Halp?

[hb]

I think you're like I, (and a ka-zillion others) were like when they first started. I was determined that NO one could play the guitar that I had cuz the strings were set way too close to each other and I would just have to find a decent guitar with each string about a half inch apart and a fretboard that was at least 4 inches wide! After looking at guitars for a while, I decided it was me and not the guitar that needed to change. Keep practicing, and try to use proper technique, and I can assure you it will get easier. But after 2 years, I am still amazed at watching some of the better players fretting hand.....I swear, it looks like they're covering 8 frets with the way they stretch their fingers!
Good luck,
hb

[eddiez152]

Lizzy,
You may want to check out some of solid walnuts lesson material.
he does have some picture displays on where the proper location is for a number of chords. It will take some time for you to develop the strength to hold the strings down let alone the right ones. There are also timing issues involved.
Of course there is another element and that is the guitar itself. If it is not set properly you will have a somewhat difficult time pulling them down.
If you don't already have one, a capo on the first entire fret does help as it pulls the strings closer to the fret board at that position.
A little bit to gain but enough to make a difference as your strength grows.

[cshude]

Lol.
You'll be amazed at how quickly things will improve if you keep at it. Your fingers will actually start doing what you want them to!

[Lcjones]

Lizzy,

Welcome to GFB & B. I'm sure you'll find many lessons, anecdotes and friends here.

Here's a little tip to help you over the "my fingers' went where?" syndrome.

Your fingers have muscles which need to learn where to go and when to go there. Don't consider this a problem, rather, just a short hazing routine every guitarist goes through to join the Guitar Players Family. And every guitar player graduates hazing! You are not alone.

As your brain learns and understands what chords and notes to play when, you brain has to teach your fingers. It won't take long, I guarantee! It's exactly the same as when you taught your fingers to cover the right hole or press the right key pad at the right time on your wind instrument. It's no big deal and you'll work through it!

Good luck.

**
LC

[pastorbob]

Muscle memory really is amazing! When I started trying to play, I remember thinking that I would never learn what others made look so easy. I worked and worked, just to sound lousy! Then one day, it just clicked, and suddenly my fingers just seemed to know where to go. You'll get there Lizzy! Just don't get too discouraged!

[billywhitebread]

tsk tsk tsk lizzy....i am sure it is the guitar you are using. in fact you should send it to me....i will play it for you when you want to hear it but i will certainly keep it up and store it here for you at my house, i will even send you updates of your progress and pictures of your guitar...(trying to acquire another guitar muhahahahaha)

if you play wind instruments then you aleady know about fingering, i played most things brass so i only had to worry about 3 fingers, you on the other hand had to get both sets of fingers working...how long did that take? coming from a musical background, you'd think you could just pick up a guitar and play because we already understand notation, keys, etc but alas...we feel defeated because the fingers wont' work...keep at it...it will come, its like learing to pick your nose....you weren't quite sure what you were doing at first but now have become swift, discrete, efficient and purposeful in pursuit of the elusive nasal crouton...ok i'm just trying to lighten things up.

honestly though, just keep at it...don't get dicouraged, the reward is more than anything you can imagine....

[pastorbob]

Billy, I'll have to remember that nose picking thing the next time I struggle!

[Lizzy says rawr]

Lol.
Thanks you guys. It's so cool to know that people still care enough to lend a helping hand.

[fatsmcoy]

lizzy i"m still struggling after 2 years but i"m a slow learner hope all goes well. billy u should be a stand up comedien

[Splbooth]

I am exactly the same. My dreaded chord is the F chord... I cant seem to wrap my fingers around to hold down all those strings!

hb - Do you know where I can get a guitar like you described? =D

[carol m]

Hi Lizzy, I have a few questions. Do you have a teacher? I ask because its important to know if you are holding the guitar correctly for the best and easiest way to get the notes to ring clearly.

What sort of music are you trying to play? Do you have trouble with chords or single notes or both?

I reassure you that everyone finds when they start that their fingers are too fat and/or the fretboard is too narrow (to avoid the other strings) but at the same time too wide (for reaching those notes way over on the other side).

Also, the action is always too high (for pressing the string down enough), but also too low (to avoid all that buzzing).

It is important to know if the guitar is set up right. This means having the strings at a height above the fretboard that determines how easy it is to press down a string without it being so low that the string buzzes at frets further up the fretboard (towards the soundhole.

I remember there is a sticky about checking to give a rough idea of how your action can be tested somewhere here on the site, but I couldn't find it when I had a quick look just now, but I believe it goes as follows:

Put a capo on the first fret. Try to slip 2 business cards under the strings at the 5th fret. If the action is more or less correct, they should just slide under with no space between the cards and the underside of the strings. If your guitar is more or less like this, it is roughly OK.

However, the height of the action is a personal thing. Some like it lower than others. The other thing is that if you have any doubt, you should get it checked professionally at a music store.

The other thing is to remember to use the tips of your fretting fingers, not the pulpy part flat on the string. The end part of your finger should be more or less vertical to the string as it comes down.

All of these things would be checked if you had a good guitar teacher, at least in the beginning, because you don't want to start off wrong and battle with incorrect technique.

Have you checked out the section of the site where much of the beginners info is collected? You can find it here

If you have more questions, fire away. And Oh yes, all that fat finger/narrow fretboard stuff magically disappears with lots of practice! Good luck.

[hb]

Originally Posted by Splbooth

I am exactly the same. My dreaded chord is the F chord... I cant seem to wrap my fingers around to hold down all those strings!

hb - Do you know where I can get a guitar like you described? =D

I FINALLY FOUND IT!!!! And low and behold.....where did I find it????
Right here on this very site on another post. Just gotta have one!
YouTube - Dude rocks out on a monster sized Flying V guitar.

[79Lespaul]

Well , for my two cents worth.... I can say after 5 years of piano, 4 years of drums , then the guitar...similarities end with the guitar as far as playing is concerned. Use music reading skills to go through basic exercises and you will be rewarded with patience and persistance.Find a good teacher you can learn from. If you do you will speed ahead quickly!

[doug russell]

Well hi lizzy. here's my two penneth. I played cornet/ trombone/flute years ago. Believe me, as you have already found out the guitar is physically a different animal altogether. But the more you spent time practicing the more your fingers become accustom to the fretboard.
And with your musical background, your no stranger to practice.