Beginner— fretting problems

Hello, I just purchased an electric guitar a few days ago and just getting started. I am having a TON of trouble with fretting. It seems my fingers will not even come close to spreading out sufficiently to get into needed shape. It’s as if the 2 middle fingers dive inward toward each other instead of spreading out. Is this common? What are some things I can do to overcome it? I don’t know how more practice of what I’m doing will help because it just keeps repeating with no change. 
Any advice very appreciated…..

Hi butchkirkley,

Congrats on the new guitar!

Your problem is not uncommon at all. Your fingers have some stretching and strengthening to do, and that is totally normal. 

For starters, make sure you are focusing on chords that do not require a whole lot of dexterity.

A7 is a good one. Em too. 

If you have to use your right hand to actually take hold of a left-hand finger and place it where you want it to go, then go ahead and do that. 

Once you are able to hold the A7 and Em positions, try a 3-finger chord, like C. Again, assist your left-hand fingers with your right hand, if necessary. 

You might also check out my tutorials on the "Spider Legs Warm-up Exercise", but DO NOT try to include you pinky in the exercise (yet).

Hope this helps a little! Be well - Lisa

This is very helpful and encouraging. I am very exited. It is just so foreign and difficult!

Thanks so much!