I can't get my fingers on multiple frets...

So here i am, 52 year old bum. My son started playing guitar and I decided to learn as well.

I can't get my fingers 4 or even 3 on the frets at the same time. Other than breaking my fingers so they move, what exercise should I do?

Do you mean like this, if so start with what you can lay down and keep trying to lay the 3rd and when you can do that the 4th

Spiders might help with flexibility, but don't rush it. Overtime your fretting hand will gain flexibility and strength. 

All really good advice here!

I'll just chime in to say that you might consider, for now, leaving the pinky out of the exercise. 

This will let you work on the three other fingers of the left hand, with less strain and less frustration.

As your hand and finger muscles stretch and become stronger and more flexible over time, you can then add the pinky back into the challenge. 
Best of luck, and have fun!

- Lisa

Do you mean the dexterity or do you feel you lack strength to press the strings down at the appropriate angle?

Dexterity will come with time and you just really have to keep trying. Sometimes I have to move my fingers into position with my right hand and just hold them there to get my fingers to stretch out. As for strength this comes with time as well but it's easier to build finger strength through exercises as opposed to dexterity. There are some grip strength devices available at your local guitar center or the like that can help with finger strength. You don't really need that though but things are available if you think it will help. Mostly you just have to keep doing it over and over. 

LOL i did take my right hand to move my left hand fingers. Then they snapped back into the wrong position.

Thanks

I am having the same issue. 2nd finger insists on following the 3rd no matter how hard I try. Is there an exercise to break this? 

I found the following link helpful.

Finger exercise for guitar

I still have to assist my ring finger with my opposite hand, but I've noticed progress within a week of daily practice. 

Hi Hickse, that is perfect!

By helping your left hand that way, you are helping the muscles gain a new, wider, range of motion, plus increased strength and agility.

And with practice (repetition), you are seeing positive results! 

This is exactly how learning works. Bravo!

- Lisa

don't give up, I've known people who give up too soon. After while the muscle and recognition memory will come together. Remember your trying to get your hands to do something they haven't done before. When I was first starting out many years ago, I would practice moving from one chord to another while leaving my strumming hand completely out of it so I only had to concentrate on one hand. Fret board exercises will help as well. Even after all these years, if a part of a song is challenging for me, that part becomes an exercise.