It’s ALWAYS the B string!

[Bill_Brown]

I like to use “meaty” part of my index when I barre @Mrfredsporty 😱 And what I mean by that, is I like to get the edge of my palm just about against the edge of the fretboard so that the fattest part of my index is being used to hold down the hiE, B & G strings, to the point that the tip of my index is hanging over the other edge of the fretboard. Try it yourself, adjust slightly for your comfort and you’ll see that by using the whole bottom portion of the index, you will solve that problem.😎 Also, try to keep the thumb generally aligned up with the index🤘

• This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by  Bill_Brown.

[Mrfredsporty]

Hmmmmm. I will have to try that. I am getting better at it.I’m close and sometimes have success

[the-old-coach]

👍

[N-lightMike]

Oh hello @Mrfredsporty ;

I love it. Someone willing to ask a lot of questions. That’s the best way to make quick advancement. Good for you.

Ok, so I love what @Bill_Brown said about using the meaty part of the index. I have learned to push my index farther up, but after reading what you said, Bill, I have experimented with moving it even farther up. That seems to work really well.

The problem with the B string is that it falls in between the 2 joints of the index and there is a natural depression there for many of us. When I have this problem, I have learned to push my index higher so the middle joint pushes against that string.

That having been said, I am going to start using Bill’s method as that seems more reliable during the experimenting I have been doing.

MG 😀

[Bill_Brown]

Thank you for the kind words @MikeGaurnier , and I hope you (and others) find this way of using the index to barre a better way to get good sound from all 6 strings (when needed). I use my index in this fashion when barring all chords. I find it more comfortable, no hand pain (so I can play barre chords for a longer period of time) with little to no hand fatigue. Also, I don’t have to use as much pressure to hold down the strings as opposed to fretting from the fingertip (on the loE or A string) down. The only catch is that I have to pay close attention to which strings I’m strumming (or not strumming). Now all that being said, I’m blessed with fingers that aren’t short or skinny and I have good hand strength, so this works well for me (YMMV).

• This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by  Bill_Brown.

[N-lightMike]

Hey @Bill_Brown ;

We all have slight variations in our anatomy, including our hands. And, we have differences in preferences. So, we all end up doing things a little bit different when it comes to guitar. What works for one person, may also work for you, or it may not. I am like you in this instance. I never got good at getting my index barre in exactly the right position to mute the 6 string, partly because I had to make it go higher. So I learned to pick the correct string. I didn’t used to be very accurate when strumming, but I find I am much more accurate now without even trying. But I have been focusing on finger picking since I started with TAC. Now, I even do the flat picking lessons without a pick. My choice. And I strum without a pick. But, (yeah, there’s always a but, isn’t there?) but, I find I don’t get the same jingle jangle from my 12 string without a pick, so I have gone back to using a pick when I play my 12. And, I usually strum the 12, at least for now. I can finger pick it, but it’s more challenging. And I can make barre chords on the 12, but again, it’s more challenging. So I have decided to keep it simple when I use my 12. Simple songs, simple strumming, but I get the “special sauce” from the jingle jangle.

Anyway, I am going to be doing a “routine” video here pretty soon. It’ll probably be my TACiversary by the time I get around to it. It’s only a month away.

MG 😀

[Loraine]

I have the problem with the B string falling in the bend in my finger, and no matter what I do, I cannot barre that string. I keep trying though, and I know that you, @Mrfredsporty , and I will succeed at some point. 🙂