Acoustic guitar chords?

Question

I'm teaching myself acoustic guitar.
I've only been playing a few days, but I know the string names,
can play Mary had a little lamb and can tune the guitar.
I am starting to learn chords,
except,
when I try to put my hand in the right position,
my fingers slide off the frets,
or I can't get all of the strings.
will this be solved by practicing or am I doing something wrong?

also,
when I get the chord right,
what now?
do I not move that hand while I play the notes?

Answer 1

All this will come in time....you haven't played long enough to have the strength to hold the strings down properly yet....your fingers should be perpendicular to the strings...and your thumb should be in the middle of the back of the neck of the guitar. In time you'll see that your fingers and hands will get stronger and stronger....this takes time....and practicing on a daily basis will make your hand and finger muscles strong, you'll notice this with time, it will become easier and easier as the weeks go by...It will also take about three months to get those thick callouses that you need on your finger tips to play without pain....remember start out slowly...don't overdo at one sitting....I use to do that when I first started years ago and had lots of hand and finger injury's because I was over anxious to learn...and would sit for hour after hour practicing....so be careful !!!!!!!! As for learning to change chords....take three at a time...go from a C to a Am, to a D....get those down, and when you can change those smoothly and comfortably...then try another three such as G, to D7, to C, get those down and go for another three. Your last sentence...I'm not to sure what you mean....you play the notes separately from the chords....unless your talking about notes that are to be played in-between the chords....if that's what you mean....you play the chord and then remove from that position to play the notes....sorry if this isn't what you mean. Hope this helped you...and was what you wanted....if you want a site that I think is interesting check out this one....it has a lot of information for guitarist, scroll up and down to see all that they have to offer....including a free electronic tuner on their homepage..and good luck to you !!!!!!!!
http://www.8notes.com/ (click on guitar, and then see on the right where it says guitar tuner)

Answer 2

Ok don't put your fingers on the frets, put them in the spaces .eg. Chord of A- 2nd string 2nd fret 3rd finger. 3rd string 2nd fret 2nd finger. £rd string 2nd fret 1st finger. your fingers are now in the box between 2nd and 3rd frets. Arch your hand over the highest string. Strum down with your right thumb or plectrum. Make sure that all the strings are sounding clearly. If not, push you fingers down a little harder. (it will hurt). You don't have long, pretty nails on your left hand, do you? Then you strum a rhythm with your right hand, holding your left hand fingers still, until you want to change to the next chord. This is to accompany yourself singing. Practise the chords of A and E, and when you can change between them try He's got the Whole World in His Hands. Start on A, for the 1st line, E for the 2nd A for the 3rd E for tht 4th except finishing the last note on A. Hope this helps. for further help, go to my profile and email me.

Answer 3

ok well you have to build up a lot of strength in your hands to play the guitar. Pratice it sounds like your doing good. Try getting a book or asking a friend u know who plays.
Also you dont actually put ur fingers on the frets u put them on the fingerboard right behind the fret.
any more questions email id be happy to help

Answer 4

Here is a good site to start learning:

http://www.harmony-central.com/

Regardless of the instrument, playing a chord is the same. If you were playing it on the piano, you hold it down as long as you want the chord (or note) to sound, and as you learn to read music, the length you hold the chord or note is based on the note or chord timing on the sheet music.

Look up some guitar tabs here and have fun:
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/