Power Chord Struggle Fingers Just Don’t Reach

[Loraine]

Hey Leo. The proper way to play a power chord is he third finger. the 3 finger way taught by Tony. But the stretch is difficult. If you watch a lot of rock stars playing, they are doing power chords up and down the neck with 2 fingers. I had to learn and play the 2 finger version. Take the bottom 2 strings of each chord. See below. I’ve crossed off the 3rd finger.

[Leo7]

Thank you, Lorraine. I’ll give this a shot.

[martyepp]

I’m wrapping up month 2, and I’m just now being introduced to the power chords. My fingers won’t even form the chords.

[Leo7]

Yes, I feel your pain on this, literally. I’ve learned a few tricks for modifying. Honestly, getting the shape of the basic chords like C, G, and D (other basics) was easier than these power chords. I like his technique for teaching it, which I kinda figured out on my own about two years ago. It took me a solid year to get the basic shapes. I am trying to remember Tony’s mantra, “Progress over perfection.” Ultimately, improvement comes with practice, good feedback, and time. It’s nice to get feedback from everyone in the community, but it is not the same as having a good teacher actually having a close-up look at what is happening and then having a workaround. A good tip I learned about chords is to try not to think too much. Sit around with the TV on and just keep trying to make the shapes. But you need feedback, for example, his shape for the G chord is not the only way to make a G. Some ways of making the G are easier than others, which is what I learned. So there is trial and error. Keep plugging way. I made progress but it was slow is steady and I had the advantage of having guitarists take an up close look.

One other thing to consider, the size and shape of the guitar matter. I am starting to realize that I think a need a different guitar. So you might consider going to a guitar store and trying some out. Then shop. You can buy good ones, at a decent price, used. Good luck.

[Loraine]

@Leo7 @martyepp Power chords aren’t formed like regular chords. Watch a rock video or 2 (electric guitarists play mostly power chords). The fingers are more flattened on the fretted strings, because the guitarist is sliding up and down the neck. And you’re only playing the fretted strings, so if using the 2 chord power chords, then just strum those strings. Use your index and ring finger to fret when they’re 2 frets apart.

[Leo7]

Cool, I will try this suggestion. I tried your other suggestion, and I was still struggling, which I expected. Tony said this is a journey, and at this point, it is “progress over perfection.” But I’m not a complete beginner, so I know this is a problem I have to solve at some point. I don’t play a lot of rock, yet. But as Tony said, the blues are the foundation for a lot of what we play.

I am playing on a nylon-stringed, beginner-level Taylor (I got it used). So the neck is thick. I am starting to think I may need a different guitar or another one. Maybe my experience on an electric or a different acoustic would be better. A lot of trial and error. Thanks for the tips.

[gmhendersonme-com]

Guitar stores are your friend ! If they have knowledgeable employees, you may be surprised at what you may discover.

[Leo7]

Thank you.

• This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by  Leo7.

[Leo7]

#Lorraine. I tried your trick with the first two notes. Slowed things down using just two fingers, a bit flatter. I had some success using my pinky. It didn’t sound terrible. I just had to breathe through it and persevere. Now I’m letting it go. Progress over perfection, for now. LOL. Thanks again.

• This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by  Leo7.

[Loraine]

Great perseverance. Just throw in a few practices over time. Once string awareness and muscle memory are built up and second nature, it’ll be a piece of cake. You’ve learned the magic lesson — Progress over Perfection. You’ll be a more chill player and will actually learn faster. Anything in life is better when we allow ourselves to not have to try so hard to be perfect. That just sucks the fun right outta life. Great win!