New player - frustrated
 

Just started playing Xmas with my 11 year old. He plays an Ibanez parlor. I bought Fender cd60 and Squier affinity (to play around with). Action was set by dealer and looks to be real low. He's progressing fine. Here are my problems:

1. Can't get the C chord. Because of broke wrist and pins, fingers just won't spread enough. Any suggestions on chords that may sound same?

2. My hands are small with short fingers (nothing I can do about this). Any particular brand of guitar that would help here?

3. Muffling strings a problem but I'm working on it. Seem to have biggest problem muffling high E with palm of index finger when reaching for Other chords. Short fingers.

I don't mind investing in better guitar if I knew it would help with easier playing. Strings or action changes too.

Sorry my questions are vague and rookie related. Just getting frustrated. BUT IM NOT QUITING.

Thanks Jed

You seem the perfect candidate for open tunings.


http://www.guitarnoise.com/images/articles/4/1.gif


http://www.unlocktheguitar.net/alter...gs-guides.html

The difficulties you are describing are what we all went through. Your fingers are not too small, and the broken wrist and pins will not affect your ability. No need to consider a different guitar, just be patient and keep on keeping on. You WILL get there in the end.

Was afraid someone would tell me what I already knew.....LOL

Very interesting. Might take me a month to figure this out.

Jed, The old injury or pins in your wrist may be keeping you from making a C chord - most likely it's just making it much harder for you.

As you progress, the ability for your fingers to work independently and to spread farther will increase. There are several way to play every chord up and down the neck, but I think you would be well served to try the traditional shape until you can achieve it.

A few points:

You have a large guitar. A smaller guitar fits differently in the lap and can change the angle of your hand. You may want to investigate smaller guitars.

Try the classical guitar playing position (google it). It will straighten your wrist out and give your fingers more stretch and strength. Although it may sound counter intuitive, a wider nut width (I prefer 1.75") is often easier for new players to play, even those w/short fingers.

Your guitar is long scale 25.5". You can get guitars with a scale length of 24" (Alvarez parlor guitars) or even less (Taylor GS mini). You may be able to make chords on a short scale guitar that are impossible for you on a long scale guitar.

As far as a guitar that will feel good in your hands (regardless of short or long fingers) is very much a try-it-and-see kind of thing. Some neck profiles work well for some people while causing others problems - even if they have the same body and hand size, that's just the way it is.

Deleted by author.

Toughen up !

Everyone went through this, and if you dont like C ... wait till you get to F.

But ... also look at learning a song that has chords you can play, it will motivate and inspire you to continue.

This is a great site for beginners

https://www.justinguitar.com/

Thought the same thing. I started on a Taylor GS Mini to address my stubby finger issues. Even with that I felt physically incapable for what seemed way too long. But I stuck with it and learned what you've been told. I even moved up to a bigger guitar (GA) when the mini started to feel small.

I think a couple of lessons would help. A teacher can see what your problem is and find a way to solve it.

Also, three weeks isn't very long. Three years isn't very long.

LOl.... Sounds like my wife talking to me!!!

Great info. I will try. I also have. Classical guitar I haven't messed with much because of thick neck. May get it out again. Thanks. I'm trying your suggestions now

If possible, you should also try to incorporate some finger/hand/forearm stretching exercises before playing; these can be found on YouTube. Also, look up proper chord fingering technique. Beginners (especially) will tend to have their hand and fingers scrunched up at the fingerboard with the neck in the palm of their hand for the C chord. Try to get space between the neck and hand palm so your fingers can really spread out on the fingerboard. I have really small hands but I can form chords that friends with much larger hands can't (strictly due to technique). Hope this helps.

Hate to tell you this Jed but it's not your injury or fingers it's lack of playing time...I am sure some wanker will post a video on here showing a 5 year old girl shredding on a guitar to prove this point. Everybody goes through this. Stick with it because most who get frustrated won't. Don't be that person! It gets better way better. I promise and you will be proud of yourself when you look back and go " can't believe I had that much trouble with a c chord because the b and f are way harder!"

You should have seen me trying to make a G chord in the beginning. Just make sure your guitar is set up good and keep at it.

Best advice I can give.

I suggest Open G tuning - DGDGBD. You have to barre some chords, but the open forms are usually two strings or three strings at most. Open G (called taro patch) is the granddaddy of slack-key tunings. I once taught someone who wanted to play while riding a unicycle. The solution to simplify the playing part was using Open G, allowing him to play a I-IV-V chord progression just by barring at the 5th and 7th frets.

Putting the guitar on the left leg (classical style) instead of the right will also take a lot of stress off your wrist, elbow and shoulder, and may improve range of motion. I also support the idea of a few lessons from a good instructor. They will help you focus your technique and avoid bad habits before they become permanent. Be patient.

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who play instruments, and those who play CD's. The first group works harder, but has much more fun. :up:

You could also try a capo between the 2nd and 3rd frets. This will shorten the scale and therefore the stretch. It will also give more space between strings for your finger tips.

No, just pick one of them. Open E, I would say, is the "go to," so use your tuner and tune the strings accordingly and have fun.

Great suggestion. Whenever a student is having trouble with a new section or piece or chord shape, start with the capo at the 5th fret to shorten the reaches. Then next month put the capo at the 4th fret, then the 3rd fret the month after that. I've used this trick myself to get a handle on really tricky stuff. A capo on the first fret makes a 25.5" scale length guitar into a 24" short scale (give or take) on most guitars.

All great information. I have many questions now. You guys are great. I should have posted earlier. Been busy watching my 11 year and I am completely shocked at how easy he is getting this. He can get ALL the chords and has just been playing since Xmas. It's amazing to watch.

Anyway.... To give a little more background on my situation. I'm a senior citizen (53) and promised my son I would learn with him (so he would stick with it--he's taking some lessons). Great way to spend time together too. Neither of us have ever touched a musical instrument. I'm also OCD---- never quit anything I started. So, you guys will hear from me here. I'm in it till the end.

I just tried an experiment (as suggestion by you nice guys): got out the classical (Casa Ferrer - Spain) guitar. I can get to the C chord holding in classical position buy not on the right leg position. Guitar is smaller too so it's easier to look over. Wrist moves to better position (I range of motion problem with pins) I guess. I cannot get it either way with the Fender. WTH? Don't understand that but it's true. Also, I was muting strings on the Fender while playing D and Am. No muting on classical (more space I suppose). Classical position with the Classical guitar feels the best on wrist. Maybe practice with classical and switch to Fender and things will work out? The classical sounds good with a thin pic though. Has a deeper sound or something. I plan to play them both. I just thought learning on Fender first before touching classical. May be wrong with this thinking.

Anyway.... Plan to try all suggestions offered. Thanks for the confidence post. I'd like to play around with the alternate tuning as well. My 11 year old said he was already doing some of that. He is also using a capo quite well.... He's almost got hotel California down. Few more months and I will take lessons from him.

Thanks again
Jed

Excuse my ignorance, but by doing this will the chords sound the same? Seems like everything would be higher?

Great !!!! I will not quit. May have to play left handed one day. LOl

This affirms what i said and suspected in post #6.

The guitar is too large, the string spacing too narrow (narrow nut width) and scale may be to long. All this coupled with your past injury are creating too many obstacles for your newbie hands to over come.

Narrow nut width causes muting, guitar size and scale making it hard to make the stretches needed.

Keep playing the classical and go to your local guitar shop - ask to try an Om, 000 or smaller with a short scale.

I am short and heavy (fat & well muscled too) and I cannot play a guitar the size of your Fender comfortably. OM's and smaller for me (Classical guitars are usually the approximate size of a 00).

Keep at it - you'll get it figured out.

Yes, it will transpose them all to a different key - everything would be higher in pitch. Placing a capo at the second fret, a C shaped chord becomes a D. An E becomes an F# and so on.

It's early days yet! Play the easier chords till your fingers get used to it. All of this stuff takes time and may take more time with your injuries, but I'm sure you'll get it, just be focused but patient too.

Sorry, 53 is not a senior citizen! My dad started playing guitar in his mid 80's - HE was a senior citizen.

Keep at it kiddo!

I second the JustinGuitar recommendation. I didn't take his highly-praised beginner class, but I have learned some songs from his on-line lessons. He is a gifted teacher. I believe he has a chord changing strategy "One minute chord changes" that might help.

Yeah, I'm 56 and if someone calls me a senior citizen, I'm liable to slug'em.

You could try a shorter scale guitar, (GS Mini or Martin DR Jr), which would make the spread easier.