Whenever I play a chord, the sound usually comes out muted for some of the strings. I know it has to do with the small bulges of skin from my fingers touching other strings, but I have a hard time trying to bend my hand and wrist in a way in which the sound comes out clearly. And once I do get it right, I can't play it again without having to spend 5 minutes twisting my hand.... Are my fingers too big to play guitar or maybe I'm doing something wrong?
By the way, a more detailed answer other than "just keep practicing" would be appreciated...
2006-11-11 16:36:59 · 8 answers · asked by the redcuber 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Practice doing what???
2006-11-11 16:42:02 · update #1
Make sure that you press your thumbprint on the flat back of the guitar neck. This will brace your hand in the correct position without causing too much pain. It may be a little uncomfortable at first, but everything is. Get used to it and practice. It will feel natural in no time.
2006-11-11 16:42:34 · answer #1 · answered by blindedbylies 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The second answer is the best advice. Make sure your thumb is in the right place. Also curl your fingers so that they are coming almost straight down on the strings (unless you are playing a barre chord). It takes awhile, but you'll get it if you keep practicing. And don't underestimate the value of getting music lessons.
2006-11-11 16:49:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are trying to get all 6 strings to ring clearly you hafta come down from the top and not touch the other strings. I met Joe Walsh a few years back and when we shook hands the first thing I noticed was how fat his fingers are! So I understand your problem, don't get frustrated....keep plugging away and it will all fall together as the years go on. Good luck!
2006-11-11 17:04:54 · answer #3 · answered by pastor_fuzz_1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But first go to youtube and look up some videos of some good guitarist and observe careful the angle of elbows, wrists and finger joints. Then observe how they move between chords, often with almost incredible economy of movements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC40PyMg2m8
A trick is to practise hand movements real slow, and to focus on precision until your brain is quite into the movement you want to be able to repeat with total control, before you start to worry about speed.
When moving around in a new chord progression, do it over and over and over again real slow.
The more you focus on precision over speed, the more speed and ease you get. Work on placing your fingers precisely, and remember to economize on your fingermovements.
2006-11-11 17:22:31 · answer #4 · answered by Nyx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just bend your fingers. do a lot of hand exercises when you are not playing guitar. there are quite a few different exercises and tools to use. stress balls are a good example of improving dexterity in the hands. or try this:
2006-11-15 05:59:25 · answer #5 · answered by iatemikep 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry bout that cut off. Hope the video feed I sent you will help. Contact me if you need more or just want to discuss the guitar
2006-11-11 17:15:44 · answer #6 · answered by Guitarpix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this sounds stupid but my guitar teacher taught me to stretch out my fingers before i play so my fingers can movie better and they arent all cramped up. just like bend then foreward and backward and sideways (obviously not so much that it hurts) but....
hope that helps.
2006-11-11 16:43:41 · answer #7 · answered by *stay*sweetly*numb* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry... Practice makes perfect - no shortcut!
2006-11-11 16:39:13 · answer #8 · answered by scarypat2001 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋