Sausage fingers, LOL

lorirocks · #1 February 19th, 2006

My Dad has to reduce his stress so he's trying to learn guitar. I'm teaching him the basic chords. His fingers are huge. Like sausages. He's muting strings cuz his fingertips are big. So instead of relaxing, he's getting stressed out. His D Maj is making me cringe. Most of the time he's muting the 1st string. Any suggestions?

Maybe when he falls asleep, I'll take pictures of his fingers. LOL Huge I tell ya.

6string · #2 February 19th, 2006

he needs a guitar with a wider fretboard ???

coldethyl · #3 February 19th, 2006

Sounds like my dad's fingers

My dad's were short and stubby though.

allthumbs · #4 February 19th, 2006

SRV had fingers like bananas. It is just a matter of practice. He might have to find his own way of fingering chords. He could always take up playing acoustic bass. We had a discussion about this a long time ago here. The ultimate solution was to buy a 12 string. Have a six string saddle and nut made for it. I don't think the guy we suggested that to actually tried it.

Witch Hunter · #5 February 19th, 2006

My friend has the same problem, though he adjusted o.0
It's really a matter of practice, like previous people mentioned!

Lucky me, I've been graced with female-like thin fingers -.-

mcknett · #6 February 19th, 2006

Tell him not to give up hope...I posted this pic of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole...playing a ukelele...fingers the size of the ends of carrots. He played beautifully and had a voice to match.

(Please note, reference is made only to the size of his fingers)

nagukush · #7 February 19th, 2006

Thats impossible guys !!!!

How does he play with such huge fingers ???

Hey but i agree with allthumbs, if you practice well the fingers would make their own way out ! Encourage him Lorena, i think playing Guitar is the most beautiful thing a human hand can do !!!!! I just love spending time with my guitar and treat it as my best friend. Its gives me joy and satisfaction.

Kindest Regds

Kush

chammon · #8 February 19th, 2006

Fat fingers may be the kiss of death for any attempt to learn to chord the guitar. On the other hand, (pardon the pun) he might enjoy jamming with you after he learns to play the bass. The main features of really good guitar players seem to be that they have "alien fingers", and--oh yes, one more thing. Evidently they also need to have really long hair.

6string · #9 February 20th, 2006

and there's always slide guitar

nocat · #10 February 20th, 2006

Tell him it's just like fixing the trap under the sink...!!!
Amazing, some of the positions plumbers can get into when they have to fix
something in a tight spot...!!! :o)

lorirocks · #11 February 20th, 2006

He's memorized A, C, D, G, A minor. I also taught him the A minor Pentatonic Scale. He remembers how to do them. He's just touching the other strings with his chubby fingertips.

Maybe I'll talk him into taking up bass. My bass is gathering dust anyways. He's definitely NOT enjoying guitar. Nope. Doesn't look like it's helping his stress.

coldethyl · #12 February 20th, 2006

Who knows Lorena, maybe the bass might just be his forte!

Neil

lorirocks · #13 February 22nd, 2006

His D major sounds like gloop, gloop, gloop, gloop.

PickNGrin · #14 February 23rd, 2006

Sausage! MMMMMMM, Saaaauuuusaaage! Think of all the different kinds! Somebody get me a roll and some roasted peppers and onions!

Maybe he needs more flux!

Yeah, it can be done, the option of a wider neck or switching to bass are both nice ideas!