Frustrated Newbie

Any help/pointer for a frustrated newbie? I am TOTALLY new and learning my first set of chords A, D, and E major chords. Really having a tough time getting my fingers not to interrupt the other strings. I keep trying, but can hardly ever seem to get it. I have large hands and long fingers (which I thought may actually help, but not so much so far). Any tips are greatly appreciated!
# 1

It's going to take time.. Make sure you have a good arch to your fingers. Your hand should be like the letter C.. Try one string/fret at a time.. strum it clear , add a finger, strum it clear, add another finger. so on and so forth.
Your going to find this a bit harder when your start working on the F chord, and then again as you proceed. It all takes time and muscle memory. Do warm ups and get loose and relaxed.
Remember, you are doing something with both hands. Sort of like the trick of standing on one foot, rubbing your head with one hand and your stomach with other.
Have you gotten by the sore finger tips.. When your calluses get harder it will be a bit easier. At least for me it did..
Hang in there, you'll get it..
Your going to find this a bit harder when your start working on the F chord, and then again as you proceed. It all takes time and muscle memory. Do warm ups and get loose and relaxed.
Remember, you are doing something with both hands. Sort of like the trick of standing on one foot, rubbing your head with one hand and your stomach with other.
Have you gotten by the sore finger tips.. When your calluses get harder it will be a bit easier. At least for me it did..
Hang in there, you'll get it..
# 2
compart1 is right. Everybody goes through this. Your hands are not too big, just hang in there. :)
Are you working through Guitar Fundamentals 1? We teach the simplified chords first to give you a chance to work through this with fewer fingers than the full D, A, E. Maybe practice those a little more before you move on?
Are you working through Guitar Fundamentals 1? We teach the simplified chords first to give you a chance to work through this with fewer fingers than the full D, A, E. Maybe practice those a little more before you move on?
# 3

Thanks for the encouragement. I need it. Yes working through the core learning system level 1 on chapter 5 (Playing full chords) lesson 1 (1: Full Chords Group 1: A, D, and E). Calluses are building up. First couple of weeks felt like the my fingers had cuts on them not so much anymore though. I have tried to take it slow and really concentrate on getting it each time. I can play Jingle Bells and the sample riffs covered so far pretty much in my sleep but having a tough time with these new chords.
# 4

New chords are tough; we've all been through it. Take it in bite sized chunks if you can (following the advice listed above)... even just 5 or 10 minutes on just the chords, and if you feel like you're starting to get it, stop with that success and leave something for next time. If you try to "push through" you'll likely get frustrated and feel like you're suddenly doing worse than you were a few minutes ago. Learning new chords will always be challenging, but you'll get better at it the more you do it.
# 5

Don't get discouraged - everybody goes through this exactly like everybody else here has said. After 30 years I'll still run into a chord that feels awkward at first. Practice it slowly. Sit with your guitar and don't even strum. Say to yourself "D chord" and fret the chord. Once you think you have it, strum it slowly with a downward strum. If it isn't clean (meaning some strings are muted), take a close look at why and make adjustments so it is clean. Do this for each one and repeat. You finger will eventually get used to it. You will go through a similar exercise when you start changing chords - Lisa will talk about things like "micro adjustments".
Repetition is king with something like this...and doing it slooowly at first.
To show you how we all go through this as guitar players, I was playing guitar for close to 30 years until I could fret the open B7 chord correctly. I avoided it by using a barre chord all those years...but you can't run forever :-). When I joined Guitar Tricks, I decided this was ridiculous and forced myself to learn a proper open B7 chord. Using the approach above, I eventually got it...in a matter of weeks!!! Not hours, not days...weeks...after playing guitar for almost 30 years.
I promise you if you keep at it and be patient and allow yourself some success as Slipin suggests, you'll get there.
Repetition is king with something like this...and doing it slooowly at first.
To show you how we all go through this as guitar players, I was playing guitar for close to 30 years until I could fret the open B7 chord correctly. I avoided it by using a barre chord all those years...but you can't run forever :-). When I joined Guitar Tricks, I decided this was ridiculous and forced myself to learn a proper open B7 chord. Using the approach above, I eventually got it...in a matter of weeks!!! Not hours, not days...weeks...after playing guitar for almost 30 years.
I promise you if you keep at it and be patient and allow yourself some success as Slipin suggests, you'll get there.
# 6

Once again thanks! @SlipinLizard was right on with taking breaks. I came back to it a few hours later and it didn't seem "as hard" and I was able to at least make it ring out correctly a couple times. Still haven't got down fully yet, but definitely made/making progress.
@maggior, good advice on practicing only fretting at first. As dumb as it sounds, that had not occurred to me.
Now to work on doing it consistently and trying to figure out how the hell you guys change chords so fast and smooth without making all the racket I am making trying to!
@maggior, good advice on practicing only fretting at first. As dumb as it sounds, that had not occurred to me.
Now to work on doing it consistently and trying to figure out how the hell you guys change chords so fast and smooth without making all the racket I am making trying to!
# 7

Originally Posted by: wilsjay@maggior, good advice on practicing only fretting at first. As dumb as it sounds, that had not occurred to me.
Now to work on doing it consistently and trying to figure out how the hell you guys change chords so fast and smooth without making all the racket I am making trying to!
Not dumb at all!!! :-) Somebody had to suggest it to me at some point...
Just like you'll get fingering the chords down, you'll get the changes down too. Again, Lisa has some great lessons on this.
# 8

Place your hand on a table and lift your index finger and your ring finger up at the same time.
Then put them down and the lift up meddle finger and your pinky finger at the same time.
You can do that both hands it will help your Coordination.
Then put them down and the lift up meddle finger and your pinky finger at the same time.
You can do that both hands it will help your Coordination.
# 9

Oh my that's more difficult that it would seem. I can get one down, but switching to the other it's like starting all over again.
This reminds me of a coordintation exercise from John Petrucci's instructional video.
This is a great idea - can do it anywhere!
This reminds me of a coordintation exercise from John Petrucci's instructional video.
This is a great idea - can do it anywhere!
# 10

Originally Posted by: wilsjayAny help/pointer for a frustrated newbie? I am TOTALLY new and learning my first set of chords A, D, and E major chords. Really having a tough time getting my fingers not to interrupt the other strings. I keep trying, but can hardly ever seem to get it. I have large hands and long fingers (which I thought may actually help, but not so much so far). Any tips are greatly appreciated!
Wilsay. I'm at the exact same point you are. On the chapter where the F chord is introduced. I'm having a difficult time with this one. Holding two strings down with one finger while reaching the other two strings. Yikes!
# 11

To add to my last post regarding the F chord; what is or is there a down side to playing the F chord with four fingers instead of three?
# 12

Maybe start with the D chord or E.
C, F and Bm should wait. F is often the last chord people perfect.
C, F and Bm should wait. F is often the last chord people perfect.
# 13

# 14

Just wanted to post an update to this. After taking the weekend off and getting back to it last night and something just seemed to "click". Was finally able to play all 3 of those chords and switch. Was not flawless by any means but they were ringing out finally. It felt so good I think played those 3 chords over and over for about 2+ hours (usually do 30 minutes or so per night). I will probably spend a few more night practicing these in time before moving on to the next set of chords, but thanks everyone for the encouragement/advice. Much appreciated!
# 15

Excellent!!! Good job!!! Glad you were able to work through it and get those chords down.
So when you hit the next few chords and get bogged down, look back on this and remind yourself that you just need to be patient.
The good news is once you get some chords under your belt, you will him some that are similar in shape and they will be easy to learn.
So when you hit the next few chords and get bogged down, look back on this and remind yourself that you just need to be patient.
The good news is once you get some chords under your belt, you will him some that are similar in shape and they will be easy to learn.
# 16

# 17

Learning how to play a guitar is hard, so many things to learn.Just keep plugging away and sooner or later it will get better. Its like how do you eat a elephant, one bite at a time. Three years and still learning.
# 18

Playing guitar requires strong fingers. If your fingers are weak it will be very difficult to chord. The good news is the more you practice the stronger they will get. It is important however if you are beginning to not over exert them too much, the more they fatigue the worse your note playing will get and you will probably start some bad habits. Play a little and when your fingers or hand gets tired take a break. Just some common sense.
# 19

Frustration is the child of expectation. Expectation is often confused with Desire. We want to be able to play guitar, and perhaps think that if we WORK at it hard enough, the results will come. There is a kernel of truth there, however, one aspect that should not be overlooked is the term PLAY. Treat the entire process as your chance to PLAY - when you play something, you just have fun, you don't expect anything in return. The act of playing means a repeatable activity that you enjoy, and will do again and again - and there is the secret!
Good guitarists have been at it for YEARS (read that a couple of times). What is the rush? Enjoy the process, you are on no ones timetable except your own.
Time, patience and practice are the keys to the kingdom. Proper goal setting is the path. Inspire rather than perspire, practice rather than work. Use your time to play and enjoy. The beginning of any interest can be difficult if you expect results right away - throw that yoke off - expect nothing and give everything.
On the technical side, chord fingering can be tricky. I would concentrate on the quality of sound of each chord before I tried putting them together. Make sure each is solid, with a well formed shape and that the fingering is correct - (pad of each finger rather than nails etc).
Use the GT Core Learning System and start from the beginning (Level 1 Guitar Fundamentals) - all the answers are in there. Go at your own pace and let the lessons answer your questions and provide the tips and tricks to help you learn. If you know something, review it or skip ahead to what you think you need - but I recommend following the syllabus as outlined and you should be good to go. Good luck!
Good guitarists have been at it for YEARS (read that a couple of times). What is the rush? Enjoy the process, you are on no ones timetable except your own.
Time, patience and practice are the keys to the kingdom. Proper goal setting is the path. Inspire rather than perspire, practice rather than work. Use your time to play and enjoy. The beginning of any interest can be difficult if you expect results right away - throw that yoke off - expect nothing and give everything.
On the technical side, chord fingering can be tricky. I would concentrate on the quality of sound of each chord before I tried putting them together. Make sure each is solid, with a well formed shape and that the fingering is correct - (pad of each finger rather than nails etc).
Use the GT Core Learning System and start from the beginning (Level 1 Guitar Fundamentals) - all the answers are in there. Go at your own pace and let the lessons answer your questions and provide the tips and tricks to help you learn. If you know something, review it or skip ahead to what you think you need - but I recommend following the syllabus as outlined and you should be good to go. Good luck!
G. Flores
# 20