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C chord help
Ugh…my small fingers are what lead this newbie to put down my guitar in the first place. Any tips on how to actually get my fingers to place properly on the strings for C major? I feel like I’m stretching as far as I can and getting my palm up and fingers curled and trying to get those fingertips pressed, but it is SO HARD and it sucks.
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11 Replies
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Hang in there Sarah, it took me about 4 months to finger the C major chord cleanly, make sure your fingernails are short, keep your fingers arched. Try switching to holding you guitar in a more classical position, with the body between your legs and the headstock closer to your ear……you’ll get there!
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I’m not sure what kind of guitar you play; but there are 3/4 size guitars. The Baby Taylor is 3/4 size, and the GS Mini by Taylor is very popular also, and just slightly larger than a 3/4 size. Many brands make smaller size guitars. That might help if you are not already using one like that. Stretching for chords is definitely a challenge. The best to you!
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</div><div>One thing I’ve learned is that what seems impossible now will eventually become easy no matter how impossible you think it is at the moment. You’re asking your hands to do things that they havee never done before. After some practice once you have built the muscles and mind/hand connection it will seem easy. Dont give up. The only way for anyone to get better at guitar is to practice things above your current skill level. You have to keep reaching out further and further as you get better</div> -
Thank you to all of you. You’ve just taught me I need to not give up. Hopefully one day I’ll try that chord and it will just “click”.
I very much appreciate the encouragement!
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You might want to check the action on your guitar. If it takes a lot of pressure to get clear fretted notes it becomes that much harder. Maybe try playing with a capo on the 2nd or third fret. This will reduce the length of the “stretch” needed to finger the chords. Another option is to tune your guitar down a 1/2 step, then capo the first fret. This will reduce tension on the strings making them easier to finger cleanly.
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Hello @SarahBluebird ;
The most important advice you’ve already received, don’t give up. Things will get easier.
But also, @David_Leo has mentioned a couple of tricks. You can capo up, where the frets are closer together. Just play and practice your guitar for a while with the capo on. Use the 5th fret and it will be noticeably easier. And the 2nd trick is to tune down a 1/2 step so the strings have less tension.
Ah, but here’s the secret weapon: finger exercises. Lay your hands palm down on a flat surface with the fingers splayed apart. Then try to lift the fingers one at a time. Do this daily for several months and it will greatly speed up this beginning process of your guitar journey.
When you can easily lift index, middle, ring, pinky, then go in reverse order. When that’s easy, then lift 2 fingers at a time, index and ring, middle and pinky.
You can report back and let us know how this is working for you. If you really do it, you will inspire others to try because it works wonders.
MG 😀
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Thank you to all of you. So far it is just that one chord that gives me “the business”. I’ll do those finger lifting exercises and stuff. I’m sure that will help just in general, too. I don’t have a capo yet, but I will be getting one at some point soon.
My guitar is my profile pick. Named her Bluebird. She’s an Ibanez acoustic electric and I love her. 🙂
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Very pretty guitar, @SarahBluebird . I love the matching strap. Cool.
MG 😀
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Sarah–
Great words and suggestions here already!
I’ll add– Find the “Stretching Exercises” in the Skills Section of TAC.
They may help.
theoldcoach
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If you really love the guitar keep on working on finger stretches and you’ll get there. You might want to see if your guitar is a long scale (~25.4″) or a short scale (~23.9″). If it’s a long scale, you might go to a guitar store and ask to try out a short scale guitar which will have the frets slightly closer together but will still be a full size guitar.
I would also STRONGLY suggest checking out a Taylor GS Mini (again – check out a guitar store and play as many different models that you can). I just got one and I absolutely love it. I think it would be a great guitar for anyone, and especially folks with smaller hands and frames.
Good luck and rock on!
🤘
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Hey @DiscostewLA ;
You said: “I would also STRONGLY suggest checking out a Taylor GS Mini (again – check out a guitar store and play as many different models that you can). I just got one and I absolutely love it. I think it would be a great guitar for anyone, and especially folks with smaller hands and frames.”
I just want to give a +1 to that statement. I don’t even own a GS Mini, but I have played them. They are one of the few guitars I would say “it would be a great guitar for anyone”. But I believe that’s true for the GS Mini.
MG 😀
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