[gsxrgirlie]

I'm wondering if there are any lessons on here, or maybe another forum, that show in detail the placement of your fingers on the fretboard for each note. I can read music a little, and I do mean a little, but I'd like to look at some pictures that show where exactly my fingers should be to produce the notes. Anybody know where I can find this?

[Chris C]

Hi,

To some degree this is one of those "how long is piece of string?" questions, because there are always lots of options rather than just one fret position and one finger for each note.

But there are plenty of pointers around. If you want some ideas on finger placement for chords there are some good pictures on this site of a hand shown fretting the chords, along with the 'formula' showing which frets to put your fingers on. Click on the Chord Pictorial link, or here: Chord Pics

There are also lots of TABs around - including in Kirk's lessons - which show which fret to press on. You can also watch where Kirk puts his fingers in his very useful videos.

Finger selection can vary depending on what is comfortable, what came before, and what is coming afterwards. So whilst the positions in the pictures are the basic starting point, most players will develop different ways of fretting chords depending on the requirements of the music (for instance, you may not need or want to play all the strings) and what fits the chord change sequence best.

When it comes to playing single notes there are also lots of possibilities, as each note can be found in several places around the neck. The general idea is to work with clusters of notes in various positions so that each finger can have a 'patch' to work on, rather than have them all darting about in a confused manner, with your strongest fingers trying to do all the work.

Probably the best way to understand it is to pick an example - a piece you're actually working on - and ask for suggestions on how other players might finger it.

Cheers,

Chris

[gsxrgirlie]

Thanks for the advice Chris, those pictures helped alot!!

Ashley

[drew1]

Hello Chris,

I am learning the chords and finger placements but have a question.
On the chord pics, I understand what the "X" is, means don't play that string but what are the 02220 under the "A" chord next to the "x"?
Thx
Andrew

[OldG]

In tab, a '0' means play the string indicated open (without fretting anything) and the '2' indicates the string to be played at the 2nd fret, '3' for the 3rd fret, and so on...

[Chris C]

Hi drew1,

Just as OldG says, the numbers refer to the frets on the neck. So you'll need a finger on each of those 3 strings, all at the second fret. (You should be able to see how Kirk does that in the picture, although some people prefer to use different finger arrangements, but still on that same fret).

However, there are a number of different ways of representing fingerings, so you might see some people on forums using a different system that shows the numbered fingers not the frets.

In those pictures of Kirk fretting chords the numbers always mean frets.

But you might see posts here, or on other forums where people use 1 for your index finger, 2 for middle, 3 for ring and 4 for pinkie. Thumb is usually T. Usually, the 1,2,3,4 finger system is done in diagram form, but not always. As long as you know that there's more than one way of using numbers it's usually not too hard to work out which one is being used.

Occasionally you'll also see the letters "p i m a" used. If you see that, then P=thumb, i= index, m= Middle, and a=ring finger.

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers,

Chris

[drew1]

but in the a chord, there is three "2"'s meaning three fingers in that 2nd fret?
I am confused still....sorry

[Chris C]

Look at the picture again.

he has 3 fingers all pressed along the second fret. One finger on each of the three strings marked with a 2 on it.



His fingers are on an angle, because you just can't fit them in a straight line across the neck. But his index finger is on the D string, middle on the G and ring on the B. You can't see it well, but the E at the bottom is missed by all of them.

Don't worry, it's all a bit confusing at first, but once the penny drops it comes easier.