minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"72dd98"}
|
Post by minorkey on Apr 12, 2021 16:29:58 GMT
Oh my god this is so frustrating. Trying to get all my fingers down without any of them buzzing is such an ordeal. Things are slightly easier on the big dreadnought (must have a wider string spacing than the Tanglewood despite having the same nut width) but my index finger insists on buzzing, especially when playing that B7 chord, when my uber soft pinky has to do some work too. I guess I just have to practise planting my fingers straight down. Maybe change my thumb position, I don't know what it is. And I just wish my calluses would hurry up so I can press harder! Oh hum, just having a rant...
|
|
|
Post by lavaman on Apr 12, 2021 20:49:22 GMT
It becomes easier when you focus on positioning your finger tip as close as you can to the back of the fret. That way you don't have to press down the string as far or as hard. Keep persevering. Iain
|
|
minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"72dd98"}
|
Post by minorkey on Apr 13, 2021 7:18:51 GMT
The annoying thing is its the finger next along that causing buzz because its not going straight down. I think the thing for me to do for now is to concentrate on the nylon string guitar because I can play for longer without pain and so can spend more time working on getting the correct position.
|
|
minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"72dd98"}
|
Post by minorkey on Apr 13, 2021 16:25:29 GMT
Ok here's me doing a run own to B7. Tried to get my fingering hand in shot, not easy
|
|
walkingdecay
C.O.G.
Posts: 1,676
My main instrument is: brownish and rather small.
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"000000"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: {"image":"","color":"ffffff"}
|
Post by walkingdecay on Apr 19, 2021 8:52:54 GMT
I know this may sound like a contradiction in terms, Larry, but your mentions of pain and seeking the notes of the chord may be indicators that you're pressing down too hard. Unless you're fighting a cheese cutter action the pressure you need to apply is more equivalent to that of holding a pen than trying to crush something hard. Realising that and adjusting to it made my playing more fluid back in whatever "the day" is supposed to be.
|
|
minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"72dd98"}
|
Post by minorkey on Apr 19, 2021 21:44:41 GMT
I know this may sound like a contradiction in terms, Larry, but your mentions of pain and seeking the notes of the chord may be indicators that you're pressing down too hard. Unless you're fighting a cheese cutter action the pressure you need to apply is more equivalent to that of holding a pen than trying to crush something hard. Realising that and adjusting to it made my playing more fluid back in whatever "the day" is supposed to be. Its just a case of my fingers being soft because I haven't played in months
|
|
|
Post by Gregg Hermetech on Apr 22, 2021 12:53:59 GMT
Practise the particular change you need to improve, every day for five minutes, you'll soon get it. I still do that every time I come across a tricky change in a track I am working on. Try JustinGuitar's "chord changes" and "air changes" exercises from his beginner course: www.justinguitar.com/categories/beginner-guitar-lessons-grade-1
|
|
minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"72dd98"}
|
Post by minorkey on Apr 23, 2021 13:36:03 GMT
Practise the particular change you need to improve, every day for five minutes, you'll soon get it. I still do that every time I come across a tricky change in a track I am working on. Try JustinGuitar's "chord changes" and "air changes" exercises from his beginner course: www.justinguitar.com/categories/beginner-guitar-lessons-grade-1Free lessons. Can't be bad...
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Apr 24, 2021 18:00:56 GMT
Always fret the string next to the fretwire - accuracy over pressure. B7 is awkward though, so you may need to experiment with your sitting and guitar-holding position to make it manageable.
I would also suggest playing some simple LH exercises focusing on minimal finger pressure, most people press far too hard and a daily exercise should eliminate this:
Good luck.
Jonny
|
|
|
Post by NikGnashers on May 1, 2021 18:20:11 GMT
Always fret the string next to the fretwire - accuracy over pressure. B7 is awkward though, so you may need to experiment with your sitting and guitar-holding position to make it manageable. THIS ^ I have found I need to play with my right leg on a small foot stool, which raises the guitar and allows me to play more cleanly. If I play with my foot on the ground, and sit on an average height chair, I can't fret anywhere near a cleanly.
|
|
|
Post by jangarrack on May 1, 2021 19:31:42 GMT
Always fret the string next to the fretwire - accuracy over pressure. B7 is awkward though, so you may need to experiment with your sitting and guitar-holding position to make it manageable. THIS ^ I have found I need to play with my right leg on a small foot stool, which raises the guitar and allows me to play more cleanly. If I play with my foot on the ground, and sit on an average height chair, I can't fret anywhere near a cleanly. The advice given by jonnymosco together with the 'Sticky chromatic' exercise shown in the video is invaluable, it has helped me tremendously. Also, there are couple of other things that have helped me so may or may not be relevant to you. Firstly, I now nearly always play with the guitar over my left leg instead of my right and use a cushion or support to bring the guitar up to a comfortable height and angle. A foot stool also does the job, just a case of whichever feels most comfortable. For me, this position not only feels more natural, it's easier on my left arm, wrist and hand plus it makes most chord positions and barring much easier. Secondly, I always keep the finger nails on my left hand as short as I can get them. I'm not sure if the need to do that indicates poor technique on my part as I often see players with quite long nails on their fretting hand and I wonder how it doesn't impede their playing. Hope that's helpful. Jeff
|
|
minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"72dd98"}
|
Post by minorkey on May 2, 2021 18:25:00 GMT
Always fret the string next to the fretwire - accuracy over pressure. B7 is awkward though, so you may need to experiment with your sitting and guitar-holding position to make it manageable. THIS ^ I have found I need to play with my right leg on a small foot stool, which raises the guitar and allows me to play more cleanly. If I play with my foot on the ground, and sit on an average height chair, I can't fret anywhere near a cleanly. Yes I bought a footstool for when I was learning classical, but I use it on any guitar now. Makes things much more comfortable
|
|
leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,487
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
|
Post by leoroberts on May 3, 2021 13:27:27 GMT
I despair of perfectionists... Don't worry about it, minorkey (I was going to say "don't fret" but....) If you play some chords dirty just say that you're playing the blues. If you're playing them really dirty - Jazz.
|
|
|
Post by andyhowell on May 4, 2021 15:32:56 GMT
I despair of perfectionists... Don't worry about it, minorkey (I was going to say "don't fret" but....) If you play some chords dirty just say that you're playing the blues. If you're playing them really dirty - Jazz. That has always been my philosophy but that digital recording is so revealing! Best not listen back!
|
|
|
Post by jangarrack on May 4, 2021 15:47:41 GMT
I despair of perfectionists... Don't worry about it, minorkey (I was going to say "don't fret" but....) If you play some chords dirty just say that you're playing the blues. If you're playing them really dirty - Jazz. Very good advice and I will add to that the point I mentioned in a previous thread a few years back. I was slightly encouraged once by speaking to a young guitarist who when I asked if he ever worried about messing up, he was surprised and replied, "No mate, I play thrash metal, who's gonna know?" Needless to say, the young man quoted was a far better guitarist than I'll ever be.
|
|