C Chord problem

[petelanger]

Welcome to the club! Everyone of us has struggled to play the C (and the G, and the D and the……)

Your profile shows that you are new to TAC. How long have you been playing?

Are your fingernails clipped as short as possible? Have you developed some calluses on your finger tips?

C Chord is very hard, it is definitely not beginner friendly. It probably took me about 6 or 7 months before I could play it cleanly and that was with a lot of time (maybe a second) placing my fingers right. What Tony says in this weeks challenge about getting a good arch on your fingers by getting your palm far under the neck is one of the best tips I can think of.

All of the above are important factors but it’s simply going to take some time to get the open C major chord down. It’s been about a year since I bought my electric guitar and started to learn chords. In July last year I joined TAC. Best choice ever! Yet I still will flub the C chord fairly often while playing through some chord transitions. If I just pick up my guitar and play a C, no problem I’ll hit it about 98%.

Another suggestion, if you just need to play a C chord to get through a particular song that has some easier chords. You can sub in the Cadd9, which looks like a G but you move your index and middle fingers down one string. This is actually a lot easier to play than either the C or the G, because there is less reaching necessary. Also if you are transitioning between the C and the G, very little movement is required.

[rainbirds3-gsgmail-com]

Thank you for the reply. I really appreciate it. I have been playing about 5 years. I usually play the Cadd9 chord instead of the C chord because it is easier for me. My middle finger on my chord hand is difficult for me because I smashed it many years ago and it never healed just right. I’ll keep trying and maybe I’ll get it someday. Thanks again!

Greg

[petelanger]

I had so little to go on based on your question and the bit of info available on your profile. I’m regularly on the forums just trying to help in any way that I can. Now it turns out you are much more accomplished than I am as a player.

I really don’t know what to recommend to you with it being an injury issue. Have you explored any treatment methods? I don’t know, perhaps some therapies could help like certain exercises, accupressure, massage or something of that nature?

[rainbirds3-gsgmail-com]

Thanks for your concern. I also have issues with the left wrist and hand. They are challenging at times especially when it’s cold. Not much can be done about my finger I should need to power thru it. All I really want to do is play songs for my friends when we’re camping. As long as I can do that reasonably good I’m happy. Thanks again.

Greg

[Eadwin]

THANKS for the suggestion, Cadd9 for C. I had actually experimented with changing fingers to make it easier to go from C to G, similar to Cadd9. I am trying to learn TABs, what do the numbers on your chord diagram stand for. All I can figger is that 1 is the index, following down to 4 for ring. In that case, the index and middle are crossed on the diagram. … Like you I have started “playing” late, I’m 75. starting 4th month in TAC, learning a lot. I picked up guitars for short times about each decade, no progress. My son and 2 grandsons are learning. I don’t talk much, playing together would be a fun memory maker.

[petelanger]

Yes, you figgered correctly with the finger numbering: 1 – 4 translates to index – pinky

[rainbirds3-gsgmail-com]

You’ll find that it is a very easy transition from G to Cadd9. I have used it for several years. Have fun.

Greg

[Loraine]

Welcome to the TAC community!

I have to agree that the C chord gives many people problems initially. You didn’t mention exactly what you’re having difficulty with. If I had to guess it would be that your ring finger is interfering with you playing a clean D string. That is usually the issue most have. First, make sure your wrist is pushed as far forward as it can to cause your fingers to go into an automatic arc and force the fingers to play on the tip of your fingers. Next, place your fingers as you normally would. Play each string individually. Which string is muted? Look at your fingers to see how they are placed. Is your ring finger slightly touching the D string, thus muting it. There’s an easy fix. The low E (6th string or string at the top of the neck) is not in the C chord. That is why you strum from the A string. So, it’s okay to move your ring finger up towards the low E. In fact, you can cover part of it. Now try playing each string individually again. Did that clear up the problem?

If it’s a different issue, just let us know. There’s always someone that can answer a question or help with something. You can also take a photo of your hand and send that to be looked at.

[rainbirds3-gsgmail-com]

Thank you for your reply and advice. My middle finger is the problem because I smashed it many years ago and it never healed right. I’ll try your suggestions and maybe I’ll get it eventually. Thanks again!

Greg

[rainbirds3-gsgmail-com]

Thank you for the reply. I really appreciate it. I have been playing about 5 years. I usually play the Cadd9 chord instead of the C chord because it is easier for me. My middle finger on my chord hand is difficult for me because I smashed it many years ago and it never healed just right. I’ll keep trying and maybe I’ll get it someday. Thanks again!

Greg

[Loraine]

You’re welcome. I completely relate to the issue with a broken hand wrist not healing properly. I fell extremely hard in Philadelphia the 1st week of October 2024. I broke my wrist in 3 places and dislocated in 4. I’ve had 2 surgeries already, and the surgeons not happy with how the plate is pushing upward. It’s causing a lot of pain across the top of hand and base of fingers. I had arthritis in my thumb before the,fall, but it is much worse now. I have the larger bone on the outer part of my wrist, that is sticking up and is very painful. Surgeon said it is displace from the force of the fall, and he thinks it will go down on its own. He did say that playing guitar has really helped with dexterity.

[rainbirds3-gsgmail-com]

That’s a bummer. I broke my left wrist in 2019 and needed surgery with two pins. It’s healed but is still a bit of a problem when it’s cold. I also fell back in September and overextended my left hand. It’s healed but still a problem when it’s cold. I hope your issues get better with time. Thanks again.

Greg