Beginner - difficulty isolating one string

Even though I have trimmed my nails and worked to keep my fingers on the left hand straight up, I continue to touch the next string slightly. Is there any drill or technique that might help keep my fingers from touching the higher string?

Your fingertip calluses may need to get harder
Starting out your thumb should be on the back of the neck and not over the back.. This give you leverage to pull straight into the neck..
It all takes a while to get used to..
For a better answer, more info would help.. Like what chord.. For instance, the F chord is a bear for lots of people..
You may have to get to the point of damping the errant strin..
Good luck Jas

Thanks! I will try moving my thumb temporarily under the neck. The chord is a simple C Major chord and my index finger touches the E string. It happens with basically any chord. Not sure what you mean by "damping" string. My fingers are long and thin which should be an advantage but it's not working out that way.

Sorry Jas2005..
I meant dampening.. Also muting.. If the technique is still not familiar to you, it's the process of stopping unwanted noise from other or all strings..
These are thing you'll learn later on. For now work on getting clarity in your chording technique. Sometimes you just have to move one finger a tiny bit one way or another..
One note, one chord, one step at a time..
Have you started the fundamental lesson..? If you note what lesson you are on, it will helps us help you.
good luck

Hi Compart,

Yes, I am going through all the fundamental lessons first even though I took guitar lessons many years ago while in college. I am up to the C major and G major chord and switching between those chords. I want to start over and learn correctly. It will take some time to develop the callouses. and that should help with pressing down hard. Still hitting the E string with my index finger most of the time when playing the C major chord. I guess there are no special techniques. I just have to work on it. Thanks!

Hey Jas2005 - the best advice I can give you is to start with single notes or two note chords (dyads) and get those coming out clearly.

Once you start getting the hang of that, then you can dive into some open chords.

Also, make sure that you're pressing in the center of the fret and avoid getting too close to the fret separators. Other than that, it just takes a lot of time and annoying practice sessions.

Like I said, start with just the root note, then add notes to the chord as you're able. Good luck.