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Topic starter
22/06/2005 11:20 pm
Hi, I've just started playing guitar again after having quit for a year or so. I had only learned the absolute basics before I quit, so I'm pretty much starting off from square one.
Right now I'm practicing switching between G and C, and am having trouble getting every string to ring out clearly. Specifically, the first string with a c chord. After analysing what could be going wrong, I've decided that there isn't enough room between the bottom of my first finger and the first string. The base of my first finger is muting the first string.
I've tried trying to place my hand different ways and I think that the problem is that my first finger is pointing too sharply up the fretboard (towards the bottom of the guitar).
The best way I can find to remedy this is to stop wrapping my thumb around to mute the sixth string. Is this ok? Do most people not mute the sixth string with their thumb, and just be more careful while strumming, not to strum that string?
If the solution is to stop muting the sixth string with my thumb, where should I place my thumb? The most comfortable spot seems to be the bottom middle of the head stock, but I don't think I can move my thumb fast enough from here to do a G chord.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions
22/06/2005 11:30 pm
I would think that the solution might be to go the other way; move your thumb further down under the neck (more of a "classical" position) so that your first finger has the ability to go out perpendicularly away from the guitar rather than slanting down. Also, perhaps see if you are keeping your "first knuckle" straight or flexed. If it is flexed, then you will tend to clear the first string better.
--vink
"Life is either an adventure or nothing" -- Helen Keller
22/06/2005 11:35 pm
Most people, unless they have very large hands, don't mute the 6th string while playing chords like the C. The best bet is to place your thumb somewhere around the middle of the back of the neck so you fingers can go as straight in on the strings as possible. Also helps to raise the neck up at an angle also so the headstock is well above the body. It does take some practice to avoid certain strings that are not played but it will come in time. Even if you hit them once in awhile it is not so bad as not having the strings ring that are part of the chord. Better to get the right strings ringing out and worry about the others that should not ring later.
23/06/2005 12:47 am
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23/06/2005 12:59 am
Believe it or not playing most of the open chords like the C will become second nature for you in a very short time (as long as you practice as often as you can)
Don't worry about the 6th string when playing a C chord, try not to hit it but so what if you do, E is part of the C chord and it wont hurt a bit if you catch the 6th string on occasion until you develop better pick control.
23/06/2005 12:15 pm
Yep, don't worry about muting the sixth string. In fact, since E is part of the chord, there's no major problem if you do accidentally strum it.
But I really just wanted to stop by and welcome you to the asylum for the musically insane!
Well we all shine on--like the moon and the stars and the sun.
-- John Lennon
Topic starter
24/06/2005 12:35 am
Thanks for all of the excellent advice folks. I'll get started practicing this new technique for the C chord.
And thanks for the welcome to this wonderful asylum, musenfreund. You all seem to be very helpful for being crazy.