Index finger
My index finger on my left hand where the finger meets the palm keeps hitting the high e string when I try to play an A chord I have tried everything. And if I try plating it a different way I do not get a clean sound. I would be open to any and all suggestions.
# 1
It's not necessary to hear the E anyways. If you want the E note to ring through, maybe try playing the A chord at the 5th fret (Bar chord version).
Or drop your thumb further down so your wrist is angled more. Should be coming straight down onto the frets. Harder to grip your guitar this way though.
Or drop your thumb further down so your wrist is angled more. Should be coming straight down onto the frets. Harder to grip your guitar this way though.
# 2
I only use 2 fingers to make an A. First finger covers the D string and the second finger covers G and B strings. Give that a try.
# 3
In playing acoustic stuff, I find that I need that open high E to ring out to give the strummed A a real ring to it.
Hand position as it relates to the fret board:
If I'm not mistaken, classical guitar players are trained to be sure that their hand position/fingers are parallel with the frets and with the thumb tip only touching the back/round of the neck.
This allows for more 'slack' for the fingers to fret complex patterns and notes.
I typical rock guy (take Jimmy Page) will grip the neck in more of a 'bat' style and the hand and fingers are at a slight angle in relation to the frets.
Why mention this?
Worth trying...
As guitar players, we all have physical limitations we have to work around. Even the greats.
I don't have Steve Vai's long digits so I have to find ways of fretting different than him. I have a stubborn pinky that does not like speedy, ascending 1-3-4 patterns. Just doesn't. No matter how much I practiced.
So I found a way to work around it. 1-3-4 but with my other three fingers or I do a small legato slide up '1-3-slide 4'. Gives it a little flavor too.
Some times these thing make your style.
I always felt dumb because my pinky was a rogue finger...Then I read that Brian May almost never uses his pinky and I love his playing.
Sometimes the deficits can work out for you because you have to find a way around it.
Hand position as it relates to the fret board:
If I'm not mistaken, classical guitar players are trained to be sure that their hand position/fingers are parallel with the frets and with the thumb tip only touching the back/round of the neck.
This allows for more 'slack' for the fingers to fret complex patterns and notes.
I typical rock guy (take Jimmy Page) will grip the neck in more of a 'bat' style and the hand and fingers are at a slight angle in relation to the frets.
Why mention this?
Worth trying...
As guitar players, we all have physical limitations we have to work around. Even the greats.
I don't have Steve Vai's long digits so I have to find ways of fretting different than him. I have a stubborn pinky that does not like speedy, ascending 1-3-4 patterns. Just doesn't. No matter how much I practiced.
So I found a way to work around it. 1-3-4 but with my other three fingers or I do a small legato slide up '1-3-slide 4'. Gives it a little flavor too.
Some times these thing make your style.
I always felt dumb because my pinky was a rogue finger...Then I read that Brian May almost never uses his pinky and I love his playing.
Sometimes the deficits can work out for you because you have to find a way around it.
# 4