G major problem

i seem to be having a problem playing the Gmajor chord, ive already looked at other places first and nothign seems to help. no matter what i do my fingers alway's touch other strings making thenm not ring, mostly i have problems with my first finger touching the 3rd string. so does anyone have other tips or techniques i could use?

Hi Daniel,

I am sure that you'll get some great answers here. The fine folks here at GT have never failed to help. From my perspective, I would ask what's your grip on the neck? Are you trying to 'hang' your thumb over the upper edge of the neck? I know that one of the hardest things for me when I was just starting was to remember to place the thumb on my fretting hand on the middle/lower middle edge of the neck so I get a little more arch to my fretting hand for chords. Does that make sense?

Did you ever see the instructional diagram/photos where they say to try to use your left wrist like a swans neck? You want to try and get a little stretch from your fingers so they will clear the strings and not lie on them or touch the adjacent strings (unless of course, that's what you want - i.e. muting or damping the strings).

It just takes a little time and a little patience and it'll come quicker than you think! Keep at it and like I said, I am sure you'll get some great help here. I know I always do. :)

Originally Posted by: daniel17i seem to be having a problem playing the Gmajor chord, ive already looked at other places first and nothign seems to help. no matter what i do my fingers alway's touch other strings making thenm not ring, mostly i have problems with my first finger touching the 3rd string. so does anyone have other tips or techniques i could use?

Well, your first finger shouldn't be anywhere near the 3rd string.

Your first finger should fret the fifth string, second fret
your second finger should be on the sixth string, third fret
Your third finger should be on the first string third fret
Try that
6
5
4
3
2
1

Try this link for a video:

http://guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=9040

Originally Posted by: GramboWell, your first finger shouldn't be anywhere near the 3rd string.

Your first finger should fret the fifth string, second fret
your second finger should be on the sixth string, third fret
Your third finger should be on the first string third fret
Try that
6
5
4
3
2
1

yea my bad, i meant to say 4th string

G major is quite a stretch to begin with, but with practice it will 'appen.

i dont think its my fault, i just noticed my fourth string sounds weird, its alot quieter than the rest, and sounds diffrent. is this a common problem?

Is it an electric and is it a buzzy sound ??

Originally Posted by: GramboIs it an electric and is it a buzzy sound ??

its not doing it now, but it was liek a buzzing sound kind of.

If it buzzes again it's because the vibrating string is touching the frets.
On electrics the string height can be raised by adjusting the bridge on the body of the guitar.
Some acoustics also have adjustable bridges

Originally Posted by: GramboIf it buzzes again it's because the vibrating string is touching the frets.
On electrics the string height can be raised by adjusting the bridge on the body of the guitar.
Some acoustics also have adjustable bridges

ok thanks man