Is there an excersice that will make it easier to play the guitar?

Question

I just started playing the acoustic guitar. I've learned some chords and some notes. I've having a hard time with the notes that make my fingers stretch from fret to fret. For example, the C chord. Now, we recently watched a video in class that said we could do an exercise with our hands to help us with this problem, yet they failed to mention the exercise. Does anyone know? Thank you!

Answer 1

The only thing that will make your hand stronger for playing the guitar is just playing the guitar 'ALL' the time. It is just like exercising though, you work a muscle group for too long when you just beginning you could hurt yourself. Your best bet is to play constantly and when your hand is achey after playing all the way into the next day, take a day or two off, playing only lightly on your off time. After a couple of weeks the tendons in your wrists will tighten up abit and you will be able to play for longer periods. Don't bother with finger strengtheners, they're useless. You're attempting to build endurance not muscle.

Answer 2

I've never heard of an exercise, but before I play, I make sure I stretch out my fingers (and wrists) before starting.

One suggestion is to hold the (same) chord shape higher up the neck, around the 7th or 9th frets, and gradually move down the neck as your fingers get stronger and used to the stretch/position.

If you're trying through brute force, remember to take a rest once your fingers/hand start to hurt. Take a break or play some easier chords. Don't rush it - your fingers need to get stronger and used to being held in "weird" positions.

Answer 3

Try a chromatic fingering exercise in the 1st position of every string. 1st finger hits 1st fret, 2nd finger hits 2nd fret, etc.). This will help to widen the fingers when playing the guitar.

You can move up the neck to break the monotomy. (1st finger on 2nd fret, 2nd finger on 3rd fret, etc.)

Answer 4

I found a great exercise for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr8TyEKUn10
I too have just started playing acoustic guitar and I have the same problem not stretching my fingers long enough but this one seems to help

Answer 5

for me this worked, i dont know if ull b able to understand me-
ull use all 4 fingers, on 4 frets
for example, 1st finger on 1st fret
2nd on the 2nd fret etc.
but u will play one at a time
now play all 4, when ur done with all 4, skip to the next chord.

now this is a harder one
u will use 4 fingers on only 2 frets.
example
3rd fret, e string with ur index.
the play 4th fret with ur middle finger on the a
then 3rd fret, a string, index finger
then 4th fret, middle finger, e string
do that all fat, and u can keep switchgin the fingers

Answer 6

Your instructor should give you exercises to practice on the days you don't have lessons. These are just short songs that use a couple string and don't include many chordes. It's something easy that will get you used to playing.

Good Luck!
--JC

Answer 7

finger stretching, one of those gripper things with the springs, stress balls. Finger stretching: from tip of finger grab with thumb and pointer of opposite hand pull back on finger to stretch out knuckle joints and finger tips of total hand.

Answer 8

It's called practice