I'm just a beginner

I'm having a problem with the C chord. My fingers are not large but i have a problem with my finger touching the other 2 strings. I know it takes practice but does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

Its a common problem for beginners, and you're right, it just takes practice. One thing that can really help is the "divide & conquer" approach... add one finger at a time, making sure all the strings play cleanly as you do. When you add a finger that causes the problem, correct it and continue. It takes time to be able to fret chords cleanly and effortlessly, but you'll get it, so long as you practice cleanly. Practice slowly, making sure you're getting it right. If you try to rush the process, and practice sloppily, then that will come out in your playing, and it'll take longer to correct than if you just had practiced slowly and cleanly. So while taking it slow at the start may seem like the long way around, its actually going to be the fastest process to getting to be able to play the chord cleanly.

Great advise SL. I wish somebody would have taught me that a long time ago. I'm paying the price. I'm real sloppy sometimes.
Ampy

XLNT advice from the lizard. Also know that there's prob not a guitar player in the world who didn't go thru that. Push thru it ... it's just part of the process.
Good Luck!

also make sure your finger nails are short so your fingers can make contact with the string at almost a 90 degree angle, the more you can do this the less contact you will make with other strings

Originally Posted by: Slipin LizardIts a common problem for beginners, and you're right, it just takes practice. One thing that can really help is the "divide & conquer" approach... add one finger at a time, making sure all the strings play cleanly as you do. When you add a finger that causes the problem, correct it and continue. It takes time to be able to fret chords cleanly and effortlessly, but you'll get it, so long as you practice cleanly. Practice slowly, making sure you're getting it right. If you try to rush the process, and practice sloppily, then that will come out in your playing, and it'll take longer to correct than if you just had practiced slowly and cleanly. So while taking it slow at the start may seem like the long way around, its actually going to be the fastest process to getting to be able to play the chord cleanly.

Yes the Lizard is correct.
I been on and off playing because I just seem to have no time then in the last 2 months I was in the hospital.
I asked the nurse to trim my nails down as far as she could.
I finger pick and at times I just use 3 fingers for a cord and just hold them until I can't stand the pain.
I take a break then I do the same but I may change cords 2-3 times.
Today I picked up my gutar and I used the G and C cord and I started finger picking for a good half hour.
My finger tips are not getting harder and I play longer but take my time changing cords.
Now I don't use the light strings.
I went with the next size up.
My biggest problem now is trying to play and not look at the strings when I change cords.
BOB