Spider exercise

I am just starting out so a total beginner is it normal not to be able to get your ring finger over enough into the third fret when starting that spider exercise? Even if I place it over I can't hold it far enough into the fret to sound good I hope that makes sense. How can I train the fingers to move further over while the others stay in place. Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by: dorian34
I am just starting out so a total beginner is it normal not to be able to get your ring finger over enough into the third fret when starting that spider exercise?[/quote]
Yes, it's completely normal. Raw, undeveloped manual strength & dexterity varies greatly. Some people bring a little, some more. Regardless, everyone still has to go through the same process: repetitious practice until you build enough strength & dexterity.
[QUOTE=dorian34]Even if I place it over I can't hold it far enough into the fret to sound good I hope that makes sense. How can I train the fingers to move further over while the others stay in place.

First you can help yourself here if you don't try to keep your fingers in place. It can be okay to release finger pressure on the lower frets, just enough to reach higher & make that higher fretted note ring properly. Don't completely lift your finger off the strings. Just release the pressure that was necessary to make the note sound. Maintain a little contact, just let the finger rest on the string without pressing it down. Otherwise it's wasted effort to raise your finger until it's completely off the string, only to have to bring it all the way back when you return to that fret.

Make sense?

You can also adjust your wrist, hand & thumb placement just enough to slide your hand over in order to help get enough pressure on that next fret. Finally, go slow! Take your time, it's not necessary to blaze through this exercise. The goal is just to get all your fingers into the act of fretting notes, gaining a little finger indepedence, strength & dexterity so they'll eventually be ready to do all those crazy things they have to do in order to play music on the guitar! ZZSmilieZZ

Please ask more if necessary. Best of success!