Fat Fingers?

Hello all,

I'm brand new, just joined yesterday after picking up my old Peavey Raptor for the first time in over seven years.

I didn't get to far with it before and I'm getting discouraged now because I can't seem to only press one string at a time. The fleshy bit of my fingertips are constantly muting the strings next to the ones I am holding.

I'm just wondering if this is because I am new and not holding my hand correctly or if I truly need a wider neck guitar? Is it this a common problem?

Thanks,
Rearden

It might just be a callous problem, which is likely since you haven't played in 7 years. It could be the way you holding it, is your thumb on the back of the neck with your fingers arched over the strings? If all is in order, then you might just need a wider spaced scale. If that the case, go to a guitar shop and try out some Gibsons and PRS n' such.

Are you playing with the tips of your fingers, or more of the bottom? You want to try and play with the tips. If anything, you should only be muting the bottom string from the one you are playing. Just arch more, and if you are really new, practice makes perfect.

I would say it is probably due to simply not playing in 7 years. A standard size guitar allows for all sizes of fingers (large and small) to execute clean playing. Perhaps your hand placement is off. Keep trying and if all else fails, look into picking up a classical guitar, those fret boards all quite spacious.








Ron Belluso is founder and editor of Wiser-Rocker.com

how are your finger nails cut?

i have found that unless my nails are cut all the way down (so there is now above my finger tip) i cant play cleanly. and i do also have fat fingers.

Check out Frank Gambale for fat fingers - that guy can shred like crazy. Check him out on Youtube and look at how he frets his right hand - might get some tips.