Stiff fingers

[gateux]

Hey guys. I started with the acoustic guitar and i know the placements of a few chords like D, Dsus2, E and A. the problem is with the finger placements, i cant really get a pinpoint on the string and my hand often touches the other strings. also, the my thumb and the part within the quadrant line (idk what its called), if you know what i mean, that entire part cant twist and my thumb cant have a flat grip on the back of the neck, it keeps tilting. also have the same problem doing chromatic scales as my pinky cant reach the 6E string.

so here i would like to clarify if this problem will go away with practice or is it because im already old and my bones are too stiff?

 

[faekildare]

If your playing the acoustic guitar, the neck should be narrow enough for your thumb to rest at the top of the neck. As for chords changing/scaling/shredding/sweeping and etc, it's just practice. The not so secret, secret is to start slow. To play fast, you gotta start slow. Speed up eventually.
If your playing the classical guitar, try not to rest your thumb at the top of the neck. That will create bad playing habits later on when u go more advance.
Hope this helps.

 

[JweiH]

For a start, look at the strings, place your fingers accurately on it, make your finger 'form' a shape until you get so used to it that you can even play in the dark.

Patience and practice, don't lose motivation. Good luck!

 

[dmitry_a]

Take it slow. We've all been here before. Just fret the chord, strum, then pick each string to see if its not fretted well, muted (if so why? finger in contact with it?). Do this for a few chords, once you get this then can try changing. You have build the muscle memory first, then your finger will automatically go the correct place on the fretboard.

Hmm... i don't know about you doing scales since you're quite new. I struggled the first time i tried a scale (G major scale, solely for alternate picking), i only started doing scales about a month and a half after i started. Really got it almost 2 months later. Like faekildare said START SLOW.

As a beginner, you can check this website out: http://www.justinguitar.com/en/AA-000-LessonIndex.php

 

[gateux]

thanks for all the replies. i was just worried since the pad of my thumb isnt in its position facing the neck, instead it was tilted. so i asked. i will just practice the chords for now then.

 

[JweiH]

Make yourself comfortable, will do.

 

[lester_music]

Tilted thumb is ok for simple chords..

But as your chords get more complicated, you may need to keep your thumb straight or else it is difficult to have all the notes ringing out clear..

try not let your palm of your LH touches the bottom edge of your neck...these will force your thumb to be a little straight..

i do know some beginnner starts with the tilted thumb...but it is a bad habit that need to be break..

or some are just born with it...and complicated chords may be a problem at a later stage..

 

[gateux]

i think its my bone too stiff lah. should have started younger. no matter how i push my thumb, its tilted sia. i even use my strumming hand to push it. now you say got complicated chords in future i scared liao. haha. if im gonna fail as a guitarist because of a thumb, i'll kick myself.

 

[lester_music]

at least u notice your thumb is tilted..that is good observation from the start..

some play for years still don't know..and they keep wondering why they just can't get certain chord shape right....

actually playing guitar is like playing sports or learning kung fu...

some people may not have the physical attributes achieve certain results...

such as having a looser wrist joint compared to someone who is born with a stiffer wrist joint...the latter can play for years and still having problems..

so u have to know yourself..

 

[gateux]

at least u notice your thumb is tilted..that is good observation from the start..

some play for years still don't know..and they keep wondering why they just can't get certain chord shape right....

actually playing guitar is like playing sports or learning kung fu...

some people may not have the physical attributes achieve certain results...

such as having a looser wrist joint compared to someone who is born with a stiffer wrist joint...the latter can play for years and still having problems..

so u have to know yourself..

so i have to live with having a tilted thumb when playing guitar? ): btw idk if this is normal, but my left hand (the chording hand), palm face me left side of the wrist always very "sour" when i practice, is this normal for a beginner or is my form wrong?

 

[lester_music]

i guess u must have tried very hard to follow what the books have taught you...


sometimes books are dead..you have to try according to your most comfy position first.....cause like i mention, cause of different physical attibutes you may have your own ways on nailing the chords...

feeling " sour " is ok for a while but if you keep trying and feel " sour" always it may not be good...you may have employed wrong technique.....


LH suppose to be quite relax, if your wrist is rather stiff...you may wanna tilt your guitar neck more towards you or use the classical style..meaning with a foot stool...

 

[gateux]

thanks lester. i was quite worried, but seeing what you say, im abit relieved now. i will practice as i am doing now. thanks!

 

[lester_music]

no worries...happy learning....


no one is too old to learn the guitar as long as you willing to commit...hehe

 

[Sebaztian]

so here i would like to clarify if this problem will go away with practice or is it because im already old and my bones are too stiff?

It will only be too stiff if you think it will. That's the psychology part that you need to get over with my friend. Practice will make you improve. All the best..