fingers too slippery ?

Hey Guys need some help whenever I try to play a G major I notice that my ring finger on the b chord is sliding to far behind the 3 fret and I can't keep it firmly planted as close to the 3rd fret as possible so I don't get that string buzz lol .

I'm wondering could my acoustic guitar be needing a cleaning with guitar polish and if so what's a real good one that you could recommend or is this human error and if so what advice can you give me that would eliminate the problem ?

Thanks in advance

Originally Posted by: Merwood
I'm wondering could my acoustic guitar be needing a cleaning with guitar polish and if so what's a real good one that you could recommend or is this human error and if so what advice can you give me that would eliminate the problem ?

Not sure what problem you are referring to here. Has nothing to do with your first paragraph. Why do you think it needs to be cleaned?

My problem is when I play a g major chord I can't keep my ringer close to the fret as possible on the b string as it keeps sliding further and further back along the string where I don't get any clear sound but rather buzzing and was wondering if something is wrong with the wood or strings .

Or if I'm not fretting the string hard enough to keep my finger place .

Wouldn't have anything to do with that. If anything, cleaning the guitar would make it smoother and more slippery. Think you just need to keep practicing that chord. Maybe angle your hand a little more. When I play it, I notice that the only part of my hand (other than my fingers) that touch the guitar is the part between my thumb and index finger. My palm isn't around the neck. If I do that, then my ring finger will slide back more. Also, if it helps visually, my middle finger on 6th sting G is kind of pointing at my left shoulder, not straight up and down the fret.

Try placing only your index and ring fingers to find the spot that is comfortable. Those are the 2 fingers that really determine the hand position. Once you get those, laying down your second and fourth fingers is easier. Pinky should be the last one you lay down. Once you find a comfortable position, just keep trying to get faster at going straight to it.

Thanks Hunter I guess my Hand positioning needs a lot of work . I've noticed that when play the g major chord that my thumb is right at the top of the neck and I have tried lowering it right behind the neck of the b string and then angle me ring and pinky fingers .

The only problem is when I angle it I find my ring finger very close to the G string and the worst part is I'm still not comfortable and I fear that when playing the chord that my ring finger will accidently touch the g string .

I can easily and comfortably lay my middle and index and pinky fingers on the strings i need to fret but the b string and my ring finger has always been a huge cause for concern and I'm worried that I will never get it down :(

For the G chord I wouldn't put my thumb that low. I actually keep mine over the top of the neck. More comfortable for me that way. If your ring finger can touch the G string that tells me you might not be on the very tip of your finger. You want your fingers to be almost on the very extreme tip when touching the strings. If you touch the string with more of the "meaty" part, like the pads of your fingertips, there is more of a chance that your finger will take up extra room and hit the upper strings.

Here are a few pictures I found. Notice how they all have the same angle, have the thumb over the neck, and actually the ring finger isn't even all the way to the fret. For that chord that just isn't practical. It can be a little back or to the middle, but never fret at the very back.

http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/8438/8438,1119830589,1/stock-photo-a-hand-taking-a-guitar-chord-g-major-390501.jpg
http://www.learnhowtoplayguitarforbeginners.com/images/gmaj.jpg
http://www.gear-vault.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/g-major-chord-guitar-lessons.jpg

Aye okay I find it more comfortable like you mentioned when my thumb is on top of the neck . Thanks for the picture examples as they do help . And when Chris schegel meant the fingertip I guess he meant near the finger nail . not the pad itself ?

When fretting the notes i need to make sure I'm using my finger tip near the nail . Only problem is able to keep them arched over enough too at the same time which may be a little tricky :)

So do I have all that right ? . Gonna be putting on a new fresh set of medium strings tomorrow

Originally Posted by: Merwood... when Chris schegel meant the fingertip I guess he meant near the finger nail . not the pad itself ?

That is correct.

Point all your fingers directly at your eyes. Those are the fingertips. Now look at your open palm. The part with your fingerprint swirls are your pads. Do not use your pads for beginner chords.

Arch your fingers & use your fingertips. The arching requires dexterity that has to be acquired by beginners through practice. The pressing down with the fingertips requires finger strength that has to be acquired through, again, practice.

Keep practicing, be patient. :) Have fun!

:( Still having trouble with my finger tips . Every time I try to do the G major chord and arch my ring finger on the B string it seems I'm arching it so high over that it so close to touch the g string and also my finger nail seems to digging into the b string as well .

I know I'm doing something wrong but not sure :( Perhaps Christ or hunter you could illustrate a picture or something to see what the proper way is .