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  #1  
Old 02-07-2019, 08:43 PM
Whitey#1 Whitey#1 is offline
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Default Here's A Problem Of Mine

I keep muting the high E string - 1st string - with the part of my left hand just under the index finger - #1 finger. That area sort of helps me hold the guitar and as a result, when I reach with my 1st finger that part of my left hand hits the 1st string and that's bad.

Any tips on how I can correct this?

r/Mike
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  #2  
Old 02-07-2019, 08:58 PM
YamahaGuy YamahaGuy is online now
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It sounds like you're perhaps sitting down, and I assume you're not using a strap. Maybe using a strap would help...

Another assumption...this especially occurs when playing a G chord, using finger 1 for the low C? If that's the case, learn to play that chord with pinky at 3rd fret 6th string, ring finger on 2nd fret 5th string -- essentially like a C shape.
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  #3  
Old 02-08-2019, 06:10 AM
rmp rmp is offline
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so yea how are you positioned when playing?

You shouldn't be holding the guitar at all with your fretting hand, as suggested, use a strap, let THAT hold the guitar..
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:02 AM
muscmp muscmp is offline
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it could depend upon where you have your thumb as well as how your fingers press each string. try with your thumb on the back of the neck and then press each string down slightly until it makes a good note. that is all the pressure you need.

play music!
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  #5  
Old 02-08-2019, 01:25 PM
Sonics Sonics is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitey#1 View Post
I keep muting the high E string - 1st string - with the part of my left hand just under the index finger - #1 finger. That area sort of helps me hold the guitar and as a result, when I reach with my 1st finger that part of my left hand hits the 1st string and that's bad.

Any tips on how I can correct this?

r/Mike
You should not be holding up the guitar with your hand.This will slow you down and severely limit your technique. The guitar should be balanced. If your guitar is neck heavy (...very common with 12 string guitars ), then use the inner part of your strumming arm/elbow to act as a counter weight to balance the instrument. Alternatively and/or use a strap with a rough inner surface (I like suede) which will grip shoulder and prevent the neck from diving. You can also tie one end of the strap to the headstock (Johnny Cash style) and balance your guitar that way.
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Old 02-08-2019, 06:32 PM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonics View Post
You should not be holding up the guitar with your hand.This will slow you down and severely limit your technique. The guitar should be balanced. If your guitar is neck heavy (...very common with 12 string guitars ), then use the inner part of your strumming arm/elbow to act as a counter weight to balance the instrument. Alternatively and/or use a strap with a rough inner surface (I like suede) which will grip shoulder and prevent the neck from diving. You can also tie one end of the strap to the headstock (Johnny Cash style) and balance your guitar that way.
+1.

OP: Even if you are not holding up the guitar with your hand, it's common for new players to hit the high E string with their index finger when playing a C chord. Are all the chords giving you problems?
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Old 02-09-2019, 10:13 PM
Whitey#1 Whitey#1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmp View Post
so yea how are you positioned when playing?

You shouldn't be holding the guitar at all with your fretting hand, as suggested, use a strap, let THAT hold the guitar..
I am just sitting in my chair at my desk. I am going to call the neighbor guy that has a music shop sometime in the next 2-3 days and see if he has a strap.

So, the strap holds up that end of the guitar and the thumb then basically is sort of there to help steady or balance the guitar - correct?


r/Mike
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Old 02-10-2019, 12:20 PM
muscmp muscmp is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitey#1 View Post
I am just sitting in my chair at my desk. I am going to call the neighbor guy that has a music shop sometime in the next 2-3 days and see if he has a strap.

So, the strap holds up that end of the guitar and the thumb then basically is sort of there to help steady or balance the guitar - correct?


r/Mike
you should show him your situation and let him guide you. yes the thumb is an anchor that supports the guitar and allows you to place your fingers correctly on the strings so that you don't mute the first string. keep playing.

play music!
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Old 02-10-2019, 01:57 PM
Gordon Currie Gordon Currie is offline
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Originally Posted by Whitey#1 View Post
So, the strap holds up that end of the guitar and the thumb then basically is sort of there to help steady or balance the guitar - correct?
r/Mike
No, using your left hand as any sort of anchor will limit you down the road. Don't do it!

Even though classical music is not everyone's cup of tea, the techniques and practices for ergonomic posture and performance that are part of classical guitar study are invaluable for ALL guitarists.
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Old 02-10-2019, 03:59 PM
Whitey#1 Whitey#1 is offline
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As I type this I have NOT got a strap yet. The problem is that if I don't help hold the guitar with my left thumb it falls down. And since I hold it with my left thumb that means I cant get my left index finger (#1) into the right position and therefore I keep hitting the high E string with that part of my hand just under my left index finger (#1).

r/Mike
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  #11  
Old 02-10-2019, 04:52 PM
Sonics Sonics is offline
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Default A left hand primer...

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Old 02-10-2019, 04:55 PM
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Bob Womack Bob Womack is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitey#1 View Post
So, the strap holds up that end of the guitar and the thumb then basically is sort of there to help steady or balance the guitar - correct?
r/Mike
Let me understand: is the "guitar neck heavy," i.e. the neck swings down you don't support it?

One way to counter that is to put the guitar with the indented lower waist on your left leg and swing the neck up to about a 30' angle above horizontal before putting your right arm over the lower bout to play. In this position the right arm positions the body.

Bob
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  #13  
Old 02-10-2019, 04:59 PM
Sonics Sonics is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonics View Post
...and this too for electric.

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Old 02-10-2019, 06:22 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitey#1 View Post
I keep muting the high E string - 1st string - with the part of my left hand just under the index finger - #1 finger. That area sort of helps me hold the guitar and as a result, when I reach with my 1st finger that part of my left hand hits the 1st string and that's bad.

Any tips on how I can correct this?

r/Mike
Hi, it shouldn't be necessary to hold/stabilise the guitar with yur fretting hand, that should be secured by your right upper arm and your pecs.

This might help :
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  #15  
Old 02-11-2019, 02:02 PM
Whitey#1 Whitey#1 is offline
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I picked up a strap awhile ago. Going to do some practicing and see if it helps my issue here.

r/Mike
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