-
Please Help – Alternative Fretting for This Weeks Challenge
My pinky simply won’t stretch three frets along with a barre chord. The lesson requires it. I am up for challenges, however, this feels very discouraging.
-
5 Replies
-
I am replying to my own post, with a small win! I am making progress with what felt like “impossible”. I broke it down and made some adjustments and was able to make progress!
-
Way to go. It is a hard stretch. I can reach it but my arthritis in my thumb is uncomfortable. I continue to find ways to place my thumb or angle my wrist to relieve the discomfort. I am learning Alice’s Restaurant and this same stretch is an integral part of that progression. One can theoretically play without clamping down so tightly, but it is deliberate effort not to do so with barre chords.
-
Thank you 🙏 so much for your support and encouragement! Yes! Let’s cheer each other on! It is a beautiful thing to be part of this community… Even though I am just beginning to reach out and just beginning this journey. I also appreciate being encouraged to look at the “small wins“! I know that I have had a tendency to focus on, what I am struggling with or what I haven’t accomplished… Especially when I reach what I perceive as a stumbling block. Progress and not perfection! I appreciate that Tony encourages us to have fun and focus on enjoyment. I have found that when I am consistent at playing every day , I connect with my Guitar in a more “intimate way“ as we are making music together!
Thanks again and congratulations on your progress! I’m sorry you are dealing with arthritis… But it sounds like you are a champion!!! let’s rock!
-
-
Hi @PhoenixRising , one alternative would be to simply barre the B & hiE strings (only) with the index. Have the thumb on your picking hand play the open A (and loE when required) string only to maintain the “bass pulse”, and don’t worry about the fretted notes on the D string. Also, DO NOT lock your fretting wrist, allow it to move freely so you can make the “stretch”.
-
Thank you 🙏 so much for your support and encouragement and thoughtful response! Ironically, that is what I intuitively did last night when I felt like I was at the end of my proverbial rope 😆🤪😂!!! I have taken it very slowly, and was actually getting closer to being able to fret up to the D String. However, what made the biggest difference was to allow myself permission just to fret, the B and the High E! Once again, thanks! Guitar geeks, unite! 🎶🎸🎉☮️🕉️💪🥳
Log in to reply.