Fat fingers

[petelanger]

I had the very same problem with the g chord and many others as well. You just have to trust what everyone is telling you, it will get better with time. Here are just a few of the things that will change over time:
1. your fingertips get callouses which helps with holding down the string and alleviates the hurt

2. you will learn how to approach the strings, getting the palm under the neck far enough to be able to come at the fretboard at a better angle

3. you will learn how much pressure it takes. Hint: it’s a lot less than you now think!

4. you will learn to place your fingers near the fret wire so that less force is needed

5. your fingers will become stronger and more agile and you’ll develop better placement

6. you can try one of the 3 finger G chord shapes, if you are having trouble with the 4 finger variety.

The G was one of the last open chords that I was able to play cleanly, probably about months after I started playing. Don’t worry you will get those open chord shapes down as long as you don’t give up. Barre chords are whole new kettle of fish with their own challenges. I didn’t get the F mini barre down util a year after the G! Some barre chords are not so bad for me, others are very challenging, only a few are covered in the TAC challenges and Tony always provides a work around.

[jumpinjeff]

I can relate to the “old fingers too fat to play”! I fixed it by changing to: everytime I play my fingers get slimmer and more flexible. Once I got that cemented I played all the time.

[Hochrami]

Thanks for the encouragement. I know it’ll get better, just sometimes those old doubts throw some canned fruit on the stage. Today was better. Not clean, and still hurts, but better, and that’s all I’m looking for.

[petelanger]

@jumpinjeff @Hochrami

yes, reframing those negative thoughts is what you have to do continuously. Turn what you perceive to be a failure or loss, into a gain – no matter how small.

Like Tony says: “I showed up today”

– “I managed to do 2 of the 12 measures”

– “I tried very hard” (it didn’t sound like Tony but progress was made, it will be better next time!).

Just remember, the learning happens when you struggle! If you think about it, it’s pretty obvious. If Tony shows you something in the video and then you pick up your guitar and immediately repeat it back, what does that tell you? It tells you that you already had the skills to do that thing!

If it takes a bit of time, let’s say 20 minutes, then it comes along well you learned a little bit.

If it takes longer and you’re still not getting it right – well you still learned, probably learned more than in the first 2 scenarios, but it didn’t end in total dominance over the challenge. But there is growth that will unveil itself to you later on, could be in another challenge or the exact same skill down the road.

[jumpinjeff]

100% this @petelanger , this is the path to freedom and fun on the fretboard.

[albert_d]

Amen @petelanger i like the way you frame that.

[Joe D]

I’m with you on the fat finger thing. It drives me crazy. n\No matter how I try it just doesn’t seem to work. But, like others, I’m hoping over time it will come. Here’s a note of encouragement: I actually had the chance to have a lesson with Andre Segovia while he was visiting my college. It was short, but definitely sweet! I was amazed at how short and fat his fingers were. But he could stretch five or six frets. So if his sausage fingers can play like he did, there’s hope.