Originally Posted by: shsparrow1949

hi all - I am a newbie with only 7 months under my belt so far BUT - I am 69 years old. I’ve been a drummer since I was 14 years old but osteoarthritis has taken my ability to kick the kick and hi-hat away from me. Refusing to give up on music I decided to learn to play the guitar (electric). I’ve learned a lot but I just can’t seem to get my fingers to stretch apart or separate enough to be able to make 4 or 5 fret stretches and make barre chords correctly. I’m looking for advice from anyone who has overcome this difficulty with the how to do answers! Thank you very much. S S

Chris always has lots of great (awesome) info.

I'd add that as long as I've been playing, I've never had much of a fret stretch. Those Johnny B. Goode bouncy boogie rhythms have always been a challenge for me. I don't have the biggest hands so a good stretch ain't easy.

So the thing I'd add is that you find ways to get the job done. Patience is the key, like Chris said. Every guitar player has that 'thing' they have to work through. None of us have perfect hands for the guitar. So if you are like 'why can Dude X do it but I can't?' Well, there's probably something that Dude X has a hard time with.

Good luck!

And for the record, having been a spectacular air drummer (Rush-Tom Sawyer anyone??), out of necessity for my church, I started playng drums about a year and a half ago. I really only play weekly with no set at home (yet....My wife, God bless her, is very supportive of all my music-y things..like buying guitars! So she said I should get a set..electronic I figure with mesh). Anyway, I really enjoy playing and I have to say that I'm not bad...though Tom Sawyer on real drums would be a LONG ways away! ;)