[AZJim]

Apologies to those who go to the Slowhand Blues Guitar site, where I also posted this.

Okay here's a really DUMB question, especially for someone who's played bass professionally and has a degree in classical guitar...after many years of never really playing any steel string guitars seriously, I've now decided in my ripe old age to do just that.

My issue is something that never bothered me on classical guitars and obviously never on bass: I am having trouble with getting clean first position chords, that is getting all the notes to sound cleanly especially when fingerpicking. Even on EASY chords, garden variety C and A7 for example, I can't seem to keep the flesh of my fingers off the adjacent srings.

I don't have large hands or terribly fat fingers. In fact, they are more on the small side.

I've tried turning my hand/fingers all different ways, not much luck.

I know it's "practice practice practice" but any suggestions on how to slightly angle my fingers or do something else? Even when I try to come more straight down rather than "flat fingered" I have the same issue.

Thanks, Jim

[allthumbs]

I can't think of a thing. Your classical guitar training has taught you the proper mechanics. I just ran quickly through the cowboy chords and can't see anything i am doing special to make clean chords. Play with the finger angle a bit. That is all I can think of. It really is just practice.

[garth653]

Well, keep in mind that a classical guitar has a much wider string stance than a steel string acoustic, and steel strings are harder to push down. I had a lot of issues with narrow string stance until I bought a guitar with a wider nut, but I have fat fingers. I'd think your fingers just need time to adjust. You probably just need to develop harder callouses which will make it so your fingers will not squish so much when fretting. You could try a wider nut guitar, but with your previous experience I'm betting that you'll get over this pretty soon.

[AZJim]

Yup, kind of what I figured, play with the finger angles, maybe harden up the callouses, etc. Guess I was just fishing for some encouragement from guys who may have larger hands/fingers than I do, playing thin necked guitars!

Hey on a slightly different subject. Again from my classical experience and also my bass playing too, I can't stand to play a guitar that's "hangin' low" like a lot of rock guys...you know where your left wrist has to be bent back pretty good, and also leads you to angle your hand relative to the neck/frets. Last Sunday at church my preacher handed me his Martin to jam on, but he had the strap so low I literally had to sit down to play it.

Anyway, what's the consensus on that? Many serious steel-stringers really play that low? Thanks.

[allthumbs]

Low slung is just a fashion statement in my opinion. Go with what is comfortable for you.

[johnnydoxx]

+1 to All thumbs reply. Personally I find it easier to play if it is up higher, especially when reaching for bar chords above A. Plus it doesn't get scratched by your belt buckle.