Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Advice for a guitar beginner.
I thought I might try to use the current surplus of spare time by taking up the guitar (again :
) but I have problems with getting clean notes from chords. It's as if my left-hand fingers are too fat but I didn't use to have this when last I played and they are not exceptionally thick. An A, for example, has my 1,2,3 fingers squashed together.
I don't have anything to compare with but the fret board is 4.5 cm wide. Is this just too narrow ?
Should I take up bass guitar ? 
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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Or, can you suggest a guitar teacher with whom I can have a quick telephone chat ?
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Permalink Reply by Tom A on
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Have you tried putting your index finger on the string between your middle and ring fingers? That gives you a bit more room. Middle finger on the D string, Index on the G string and ring finger on the B string.
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Also if you place your fingers as close to the fret as possible, that will give you a cleaner sound on the strings.
And 4.5 cm is standard for the fretboard width.
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Are you getting a good enough angle between your finger joints and the board? You should try to get as near to a 90 degree angle as you can. Laziness makes us hold the neck cradled in the hand and so your finger tips are maybe 45 to 60 degrees and so getting in each others way. Get the thumb behind the neck so that your fingers are raised up, relative to the fingerboard, closer to 90 degrees and your problem may start to diminish. An alternative is to go for a completely different fingering - folk guitarists will often use the first finger to barre the D Gand B strings, using the little finger to fret the A on the E string at the fifth fret (002225) which allows you to pull off to the middle finger fretting the D on that top E string (002223) which is A7. If you want to be really fancy try 002225, then 002224 (Amaj7) then 002223 which is the beginning of Something by George Harrison...
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Permalink Reply by Pavlos on
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Pop into music and beans the lovely coffee shop that Also sells musical instruments and accessories. They may be able to advise you on what you need
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Permalink Reply by Nat Yelverton on
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You might want to check that the action (height of the guitar strings above the neck) is as low as possible (may require a bridge adjustment, and maybe a neck [truss rod adjustment]. These kind of adjustments usually make it substantially easier to play. Lighter gauge strings can also help.
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Same problem here old mate ! I'm led to believe it's all down to practise and perseverance. I'm not much good at either !!
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Permalink Reply by Rob on
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Hi John,
I'm also learning and struggling with the A chord. practice does make it better. I totally agree with the response Tom A gave you.
I am using an online training app/course (which I have no actual connection with) called https://www.justinguitar.com/ and I strongly recommend it. This guy is London based and he explains things really well and he covers this A chord issue well.I have checked out a few online guitar learning websites but this guy is streets ahead of the rest.
Best of luck and perseverence is the key.
Rob
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