Why can't I play the E major chord on the guitar?

Question

I can't get the G string to get the right sound no matter how hard I press and my finger on the D string isn't even touching the G string and not the one on the A string either. Any Insight? Tips?

Answer 1

There are lots of reasons you may be having trouble. Let me list a few of the top of my head:

1. The strings may be too far away from the fingerboard. If they are, take your guitar to a luthier and get your action adjusted

2. You may be playing a steel guitar and need time to build up callouses, and build up your finger strength. You also need to arch your fingers (more like a Roman Column) and place your finger just behind the fret (the metal bar across the fingerboard) as possible.

3. You may not be pressing down hard enough. Remember that you are creating a new pressure point behind whatever fret you are using, and you have to smoosh it down good.

I would start by playing an E minor seven with a suspension. This is the easiest chord in the world to play. (And the hardest chord in the world to say)
Simply strum across the strings without holding down any of them.

Next, try the E minor seven. simply put your second or third finger (your choice) down just behind the second fret of the fifth string (A)

6/0 5/2 4/0 3/0 2/0 1/0

Now you are ready for the E minor Chord. Put your second and third fingers down just behind the second fret of the fifth and fourth strings. (A) (D)

6/0 5/2 4/2 3/0 2/0 1/0

Okay, this is the big moment. You have mastered the first three chords and you are ready to go back and try that E major chord again. Put your second and third finger just behind the second frets of the fifth and Fourth string. Now just drop your first finger down just behind the first fret of the third string. Now you've got it

6/0 5/2 4/2 3/1 2/0 1/0

Take it slow, do it one finger at a time, and don't move on until you get it right. Let me know if you've still having trouble and if you have any other questions, feel free to call on me.

Answer 2

The first thing to check is to make sure your guitar is in tune in the first place. Also, make sure you don't press too hard, too, because you can actually make it go out of tune. If you are POSITIVE that your other fingers are not touching the G string, yet it still buzzes, you may have your action set too low. If it does not buzz when you play an open string, but it does buzz once you fret it, I would check the action. You might have to raise it a little for that string.

Answer 3

Check to see that your fingers are near, but not on, the second fret bar when chording the E major. Sometimes when the fingers are in the middle of the fret buzzing will occur.

Either that or your strings are too high.

Answer 4

It could just be the type of the guitar. Acoustics sound differen from electrics and different electrics sound different from eachother. If you've been able to play it before, it could be the tuning is a little off. If not, you're just paranoid(like me) sometimes.lol

Answer 5

push close to the fret

Answer 6

its all about practice.