Ibanez V50 / Started learning 26 August 2010
My fingers can NOT stretch like that!
So I'm just starting out. I'm trying to place my fingers to make particular chords and am amazed that anybody can reach these! I'm imagining my fingers will limber up in time? Any tips for progression on this or do I just need to repeat, repeat, repeat? It's a bit disheartening when I strum the chord and it sounds like a dying animal. :cool:
# 1
I had the same problem, and still do to some extent. A lot of it is down to practice, practice practice. Basic but it does eventually work. Just keep on trying and you will get there. I did look at some lessons on here about it. If you search for spider you will find some lessons that I found really useful and still use them most times I practice. They really do seem to work and you can vary them so that they are not too repetitive.
# 2
# 3
Hi Kerry, I`m afraid there is no good news here, its gonna take lotsa practice, but once you get it going semi-smoothly and you can strum to a favourite song, the feeling of accomplishment is gonna blow your mind, so JUST DO IT :)
# 4
Thanks! Ok..perseverance is the key, huh? I'll quit whining now. ;)
Ibanez V50 / Started learning 26 August 2010
# 5
# 6
enjoy the pain, pain is fun :cool:
all guitarists eventually become sadists, we have no choice..
all guitarists eventually become sadists, we have no choice..
= good music is good drinking =
# 7
Originally Posted by: KerryInHolland It's a bit disheartening when I strum the chord and it sounds like a dying animal. :cool:
Dying animal? That made me laugh out loud.
It's all in practice, my friend. Your fingers will get used to it.
Perseverance is key!
# 8
F# Major. Um...is that REALLY how it's supposed to be played? Holy sh*t! My fingers immediately rejected me. Dying animal is back! :eek:
Ibanez V50 / Started learning 26 August 2010
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# 10
Kerry, If you are just starting out, this may help. I used to do this for hours to develop the muscles in my left hand. Take your index finger and bar it across the 7th fret. Take your ring finger and put it on the 9th fret 5th string play the 5th and 6th strings. Thats a B5. now play that in 4/4 time and on beats 2 and 4, put your pinky on the 5th string 11th fret (up and down with the timing) Count 1and2and3and4and, thats a blues stretch and will have your hand stronger very quickly. take your time and take breaks but keep at it, You will see results. Do it every day for two weeks, and you will see results. It's hard work but you Have to clear that hurdle. Good Luck.
# 11
You can do this while watching tv or whatever....make your fingers do the splits over the top of you thigh or even put a tennis ball between them. Stretch between the index and middle, the middle and ring, the ring and pinky. This will help also, but don't force it to hard and do it slowly.
# 12
Originally Posted by: Bluepick1956You can do this while watching tv or whatever....make your fingers do the splits over the top of you thigh or even put a tennis ball between them. Stretch between the index and middle, the middle and ring, the ring and pinky. This will help also, but don't force it to hard and do it slowly.Yup, I was about to post this. It definitely helped me out.
# 13
Hi Kerry, I am still in the process of learning it too, and I have found that if you go real slow from the place where you have to stretch, and go back and forth slowly and making sure each place you have your finger plays clear, eventally it does get easier.
Donna
Donna
# 14
I recently had the same problem.
I think the pressure of fingers on strings is cause of this problem.
Do it again and again, you'll have the iron fingers, and "dying animal" sound'll fly away :D
I think the pressure of fingers on strings is cause of this problem.
Do it again and again, you'll have the iron fingers, and "dying animal" sound'll fly away :D
# 15
Originally Posted by: GuitarPsyenjoy the pain, pain is fun :cool:
all guitarists eventually become sadists, we have no choice..
Hahaha. For some reason I actually believe you.
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# 16
Originally Posted by: KerryInHollandSo I'm just starting out. I'm trying to place my fingers to make particular chords and am amazed that anybody can reach these! I'm imagining my fingers will limber up in time? Any tips for progression on this or do I just need to repeat, repeat, repeat? It's a bit disheartening when I strum the chord and it sounds like a dying animal. :cool:
Heee hollandertjeeeee
# 17
I am currently researching the possibility of adding at least 1" (One inch) to each finger of my left hand in order to reach the necessary contact points in various cords. So far I have been unable to stumble on the magic formula.
Back to grappling with the F chord!!!
Back to grappling with the F chord!!!
# 18
Originally Posted by: GuitarPsyenjoy the pain, pain is fun :cool:
all guitarists eventually become sadists, we have no choice..
I think you meant "Masochists"....unless there's something about you we don't know? :D
Quickly advancing from inept to semi-ept
# 19
Make sure to warm your hand up then pull back on your fingers with your other hand(gently of course you don't want to wrench on then till they hurt).I used to do this before practicing scales.Over time it will not be an issue.
Making a song about dying animals is not a bad idea though :D
you could sell the rights to a butcher shop maybe
Making a song about dying animals is not a bad idea though :D
you could sell the rights to a butcher shop maybe
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