As you may have guessed it's now time to try combining the C major and D major chords, which is a lot more involved than anything we've done up until now. But stay with me and we'll take it nice and slowly.
I'm having issues between listening/following the instructor - what fingers go on what string/fret. And also the note diagram shown, example for the diagram - from what i see the D cord on the left - I understand as - top E string place finger on the 2nd fret. Next place next finger on the A string 3rd fret, place next finder on the 2nd fret for the 3rd string - D string. But from what I hear on the audio that is not the proper finger placement, I never heard to use the top E string. So, I'm confused with finger placement on frets while I'm looking at the music/note diagram.
Thanks,
Bob
Mike Olekshy4 weeks ago
Hello - thanks so much for your question! There is a common misunderstanding about the "top" string. We mean -- the string closest to the floor. The "high" E string is the "top" string, since it is higher in pitch than the "low" string, which is the thicker E string that's furthest from the floor. I think that might be what your confusion is.
Placing your finger on the 2nd fret of the "top" E string, or "high" E string is correct.
Also - just to clarify - the next finger goes onto the 3rd fret of the B string (not A string).
Hope this helps!
3 months ago
I'm struggling with "mastering" the D & C chords (ie. fingering without muting strings). Do I move to switching between them (and continue ahead more slowly) or just stay on the two learning the two chords lessons?
Mike Olekshy3 months ago
Hello - thanks so much for your question! Keep working on fretting the chords on their own. You can also start to work on switching between them slowly. Stick with this for a little while, working on it every day. When you feel you've made a little progress, by all means, you can move ahead to the next lesson. But remember to keep working on the C and D chords even though you're learning new chords! Hope this helps!
5 months ago
Hello, first I would like to congratulate you on your course, it is very useful, second I would like to recommend that in the "description" section of each video the greatest number of things said by the teacher be transcribed. Although the videos are clear, in my case, for example, I am a Spanish speaker, I have a basic knowledge of English, which allows me to understand the videos, but it would help a lot for teaching if the greatest amount of audio was transcribed into English in order to pass them through the translator. Finally, I repeat that your course is excellent.
Mike Olekshy4 months ago
Hello - thanks so much for the kind words and your question. I've forwarded your request to admin. Thanks again!
10 months ago
I know in your video you said to move fingers in order but doesnt have to be done that way, is it quicker to do it your way? should i relearn my bad habit or keep it? i move my index and middle fingers first going from C to D
Josh Workman10 months ago
Hi, good question. If you are fast enough for all of the fingers to come down simultaneously, that's great. The main idea behind planting each finger from lowest string to highest (at first) is to buy you a fraction of a second as the pick travels from low strings to high strings so you don't have any dead notes. Eventually your fingers will form the next chord in the air as you change almost instantly. Try both ways and see if you notice any benefit.
10 months ago
I am struggling with the stretch that my fingers have to make to get in the right shape for the C chord. I feel like the only way I can get my fingers in the right places is if I place each finger down individually and press down to act as an anchor to be able to stretch my next finger to the next fret. I can't stretch my fingers that much naturally. Does the flexibility come with time or am I doomed by my small hands? And are there any exercises I can do to strengthen/stretch my fingers?
Josh Workman10 months ago
Hi Kelly, Fear not! You can gradually increase the stretch between fingers. Try putting your picking-hand thumb and little finger between two of your fretting hand fingers at a time and gradually expand until you feel a little stretch in the webbing. In the meantime, thumb position is really important. Make sure your thumb is behind the neck and not poking out from behind it too much. Experiment with thumb placement until you find a spot that supports and elongates the fingers. If after a while you're not having any luck, there are actually guitars made for people with smaller hands. I'm not sure if you've heard of Daisy Rock but they actually make quality guitars with smaller hands in mind. I'm sure there are others but I know people who own those and are happy with them. In fact, my wife loves hers!
1 year ago
hi! What shuld i do if i cant play one chord corectly? the C chord gust doesnt work :(
Josh Workman1 year ago
Take a look at your fingers and try to figure out what's going on by looking to see if maybe one finger is accidentally muting or pressing down a note next to it, etc... Depending on the level of your subscription, you could make a video of your self trying out the chords and submit it for feedback. I or Mike Olekshy would send you a response video with tips, based on what we see you doing in your video. Here is a link to that page: https://www.guitartricks.com/feedback
1 year ago
Hi, I have a question whether should I form the shape of a chord in the air first and then press the strings with all my fingers simultaneously or can I press one finger by finger and eventually the fingers will figure out to touch the strings at the same time? Cause the second option seems easier to me.
Josh Workman1 year ago
Great question! Eventually you will be able to essentially form the chords in the air but for now, place the lowest finger of each chord shape first. By this I mean for a G chord, place the finger on the low string 3rd fret then go from there. For a D chord place the 2nd fret of the G string first. This buys the rest of the fingers a fraction of a second to get placed, since you typically start your strum on a lower string and head towards the higher strings.
1 year ago
So i have a question regarding finger placement since i got used to changing D to C starting with index finger on B string followed by the rest in upwards shape so just mirrored from the lesson is that a mistake and should i get used to this method of finger placement instead (starting with ring finger on A)?
Josh Workman1 year ago
Hi, thanks for your question! The reason we want to place in order fingers from low string to high string is because we typically strum from low to high, so this buys us a split second to find the rest of the chord shape, after placing (for example) the ring finger on the A string (third fret) then placing middle, then index when forming a C chord. If you do the reverse, you will likely flub the low notes. Eventually all of the fingers will pretty much come down at once but this is a good way to get comfortable, at first.