@@TomasMichaud the frustrating part for a beginner like me is when I mute a string. I have been practicing d chord for 1 month know but e string always mute. I already arc my fingers.
Thank you for this video. Just started learning guitar at the ripe old age of 47 and I was getting a bit frustrated with thudding sound when playing chords. This video was insightful and I appreciate your enthusiasm when it comes to learning. Gonna give it a go and like you said. Practice. 👍
@@TomasMichaud This lady I just found has a web site www.everyonecanjam.com she is very help full with this kinda stuff. I will go get U a link to one of her videos soon as I can leave this room.. Here U go this one is short and sweet but will give U an Idea what shes all bout. I been playing for years and she taught me some thing I should have known but. I'm self taught and always tring to move to fast.. Good luck Here's that video ua-cam.com/video/gXRT2_nXXP0/v-deo.html
Hi Tomas. I'm seventy year old and just pick up the guitar for the first time. My fingers are on the short chubby side and was having a tough time making an A chord. Using the pinky finger is a real breakthrough for me. Thank you so much. I'm experimenting using the little guy on some of the other chords and they sound so much cleaner. Thanks again from Carl.
Hi Tomas, I started 7 years ago when I was 70 and struggled with 6 strings so I bought a baritone ukulele with the four strings tuned DGBE like a guitar. A lot easier with the extra space between the strings. You do of course lose the EA bass strings.
I'm proud of you!!! I hope ur still learning. Never quit. Draw out chords on flash cards. Blessings of Music Talent and Anointing sent to you!!!! Happy Holidays!!! You inspired me 🎄
At a certain point you should try to start playing without looking at the fretboard, or looking at it as little as possible, because removing the distraction of the visual element and relying on sense of feel alone can assist in making microadjustments of your fingers because your sense of touch will become more refined. You can visualize the fretboard in your mind without actually looking at it while you're playing. Takes some adapting to, but worth it. This can also help you HEAR the subtleties of what you're playing better by removing that visual distraction as well.. "feeling" the rhythm more and so on and so forth. Can be quite freeing.
This video was a breath of fresh air. I have huge, fat fingers. No body has ever been able to help me. I tried most of your suggestions and they worked. I've always felt like there was no chance of me learning to play the guitar but I feel like there is some hope for me now. Thank you!
I've been a bass player for 40 yrs. There are just Different technique problems with bass. Stick it out. AND learn to play bass. I recommend "Talking Bass" with Mark Smith here on UA-cam. I've had a Lot of different teachers, Mark is the BEST! Good luck in your musical journey.
How long have you been playing? I've got very large fingers. I've been playing for quite a while and I would recommend making sure your finger placement is right every time and then working on chord changing speed. Also, like he says, it's important that your fingers come in as perpendicular to the fingerboard as you can.
I’m no expert guitarist, but one thing I’ve noticed is that 1) sometimes improvement is very gradual...you improve a chord or lick ever so slightly each time you practice, and 2) sometimes you practice something all the time, seemingly making no progress at all, and then all of a sudden without any warning or explanation, it becomes easy. I have no idea why that is, but I would say that if you keep practicing then you will get it, either gradually or all at once after a while.
This guy is a fantastic teacher. Seems very patient, encouraging and inspiring. I wish I was his student--I'd be playing a lot quicker than with any other teacher.
Thanks for the ending message. I was losing patience with myself and figured it was my fat fingers because mine I truly chunky, but the way you made the video really calmed me down and brought some hope back to learning. Thanks again
i've struggled with but loved every minute learning guitar. i have a damaged middle finger tip which has always made fretting certain shapes awkward and painful and invariably touching other strings. Your point and demonstration of angling the fingers has been a revelation. Thank you so much, Tomas
Just like when I was 8 and learned the drums… keep pushing those “circuits” and all of a sudden you have it… “practice makes perfect” Thanks for posting
Not sure if you mentioned it. But don't use too much pressure. You only need the string to touch the fret without buzzing. You don't need to nail it to the timber.
I’ve been playing since I was five. I’m forty five now. I struggle with fat fingers so over the years I just made up my own chords. Thank you you’ve given me the confidence to learn actual chords now.
Man this helped so so much I have long chubby fingers and some chords seem so impossible and all the videos out there make is seem like you HAVE to use the finger placement they are showing you....using one finger for two strings was a big help!
Excellent Video! Apologies for chiming in, I am interested in your thoughts. Have you ever tried - Riddleagan Skillful Playing Remedy (Sure I saw it on Google)? It is a good one of a kind guide for learning complex guitar chords and become a pro without the headache. Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my close friend Aubrey at very last got excellent results with it.
Hey brother I'm lefty 6 12 string Guitarist with yeps you got it short fat fingers Actually I play the A chord with pinky ring and middle fingers when playing Fender necks on Gibson necks there's more room I just play E chord without index finger I don't play C chord tad difficult to place down I just take the chord loss D chord manageable G chord to My guitar teacher taught there's the base basic guidelines to play guitar and most of what we will do is so many adjustments and modifications that's not in the rules book hence how you're demonstrating using different fingers for certain chords to place the chords down which I think you showing that means you're a great teacher you formulate your words very well and I think teachers like you are a great benefit for the beginner Guitarist to build on
Thank you, I struggle a little with this especially D7. I'm going to try your various techniques. I'm 2 week into learning as a beginner and just practice cords each day.
i picked up a guitar the other day and was watching videos about chords and it was hard to do cuz my fingers are thick after watching this video i realized its not about following the rules but its about doing what works for you!
thanks so much this was very informative and gave me hope for playing. I was using my sisters 43mm neck acoustic and was muting a string on almost every chord.
79 years old here, and having big problems with fingers muting strings in chords. Thanks for the encouragement; it gives me a sense that I might eventually find ways to play chords that sound right. At present, it's pretty demoralizing. ;)
I'm glad someone who plays guitar put up a video not dismissing this claim. It's annoying to get to the point where you know you need chords and you really can get any to come out the way you are being directed.
Hi Tomas. I’m 47. I bought a guitar 30 years ago and couldn’t play and fingers not fitting really was the main reason I gave up. I tried several times but recently my kids wanted to play and I found my old Epi Les Paul special II. I bought it new abs time and being in a garage meant it needed some TLC. I dedicated days to getting it back to original. Ha ha. Yeah, I hear you, a cheap guitar isn’t worth the effort. A neighbour is a legit big rocker in Australia and was huge 30 years ago too and so I being a music nut worker who he was out. He said he’d do all the technical stuff and restring, check the wires and pups etc. the Bridge pick up is a bit lower sounding but she’s up and running. Now-I gave up because of my fingers just being to fat. I always used to do the A chord trick but did all three strings with one finger which used to sound excellent. Certainly better than with my three fingers mess. I wanted to thank you for normalising and forgiving these things because I felt this would impede my progress and skills later on if I took short cuts like this but I think it’s generally accepted to do what works. If it creates bad habits that will be hard to break later on, the. That is the issue that worries me. Anyways. I’m at my Third attempt at learning the guitar and your video has given me a real sense of confidence in myself as I was doing some of these things but felt like I was cheating or whatever. Om just going to try the different fingers too because my ring finger feels like it knows where to go more than my biggest middle finger that feels unco most of the time. I try to keep them in their designated frets but it’s taking so long and still feels weak and as if it doesn’t belong. Anyways, I’m glad you did this video. If you know some other electric guitars with helpful necks to look at, that would be nice to hear about in a video. Also, what percentage of players do stuff like this to just get around the guitar when with bigger fingers. I suspect it is higher than I think. Mike Syd Aus.
I learned some of these very same techniques from George Hinchcliffe of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain while learning to play ukulele. Thanks for showing me their application on guitar.
I struggled for about a month and tried really hard to learn the proper finger form . Ended up trying a seagull s6 and I instantly felt like I could play. I don’t recommend getting it off the bat so that u don’t get lazy with the form but it totally helped and now I feel good about learning acoustic !! (Seagull s6 has a slightly wider neck but is still a steel string acoustic)
OMG you're video is a godsend. Always loved the sound of guitar and was amazed watching people play when one day I decided to have a mid-life crisis and learn to play before it was too late. I was just wondering if I'd made a huge mistake when I found you. My enthusiasm has been totally re-ignited because tip #3, using one finger over multiple strings etc., is just working a treat. Everywhere else I looked told you "this finger must go here" and that it's bad form to do anything else. I was finding it physiologically impossible to keep all fingers straight up and down whilst also being spread about, I'm looking at you D chord, and yes I know there will be more difficult chords but I couldn't even nail this one! So thank you. 👏
Thanks so much! I was having issues with fat fingers with small neck electric. and 50 with nerve & muscle issues but I am working at 30 min to 1 hr a day.
Great video. I found you after 3 years of playing guitar!! More videos on guitar please, cus your presentation is one of the best lve seen on youtube. I watch youtube alot.
I strugleg a few years to play certain chords because of my fingers. I mean on acoustic guitars. Most of the acoustic guitar manufacturs offer 42 to 44 mm guitar necks. But I bought a 46 mm nut widht Baton Rouge x54 OM CHB acoustic, and most of my problem were solved. Now I can enjoy guitar playing using chords like B7 or F major which I could not played properly for many years. Baton Rouge offers a lot of 46mm nut widht acoustic guitars, Richwood also has some 46mm parlors, Harley Benton, Framus and Cort offer some 45 or 48mm parlor, Folk, OM or GA models. Good luck to find one whichi fits your big hands. So of you have big hands or fat fingers forget the 42-43 mm nut widht acoustics and search for some 46mm and you will see the difference.
WOW!!! I was trying to switch chords, and that A major was driving me nuts one again. I wish that I had thought about looking at the internet when I first started, because now I will have to relearn some transitions. By the way, I am 72 years old, been playing for a year. And, coming from the violin world, I had the snobbish expectation that the guitar would be easy, as you don't have to place your fingers to find the note! I've had more than my share of humble pie over the last year. Thanks for this, and I will definitely check out your channel.
My absolute favorite guitar is a classical guitar with low tension steel strings made especially for classical guitar ( Thomastik-Infeld KF110 Nickel Classical Guitar ) problem solved. It’s a Córdoba which has a truss rod. These strings are amazing and sustain is great. I can play on a normal width guitar, and do quite often but play so much better on the classical with the wide nut. I can do single finger A chord on the classical due to my sausage fingers.
Watch three times to be able to follow the subtitles because my English is still very limited, but it was still a very well invested time. You really helped me. Thank you very much!
I’ve just started playing the guitar and I thought am I allowed to use my big fingers to press two strings at once? This video boosted my confidence greatly! Thank you, subscribed!
Thanks for the tips. My hands are gigantic. For prospective, I can hold a standard ruler between my thumb and pinky with ease. These tips really help in my learning journey. God bless.
don't be, one of the most beautiful things about violin is the literal unlimited amount of sounds, in guitar there are limited tones, that's why guitar like instruments from the middle east don't have frets, they limit sound
Thank you Thomas!!! My head was about to explode after I realized that my fingers were the problem. Your video saved me from severe head trauma! Thank you for being the cure to saving my dream of playing guitar!!
i was getting quite frustrated with my thicker fingers and your video really helped. Its not the same as having lessons in person but watching your video really put a light on how i can improve . .now back to practising i go :)
Pheww, my whole life, I was fine with my fingers. I am a metal drummer, but through the DAW and amp sim stuff I grabbed some Donner guitars. And I found out, that my fingers are not only fat but also short. Haha. The 12string guitars tip is awesome if I wanted to go that deep into the guitar world. But I think, firstly I will do some power cords and chords with the one finger two strings technique. I think I won't play fancy solos on the guitar.... let's see. Thank you!
I played when I was a young man. I am reteaching myself. It is frustrating muting strings with every note and cord I play because my fingers a so fat now. I don't want to be limited to only being able to play certain guitars. Thanks for the tips. I am getting better at it as time goes by.
I feel your pain. As a hobbit guitarist ( I'm 5ft. 3.) Makes me fudge a bit while playing. Still have a bit of trouble using my thumb over the neck, ala Hendrix,and SRV.
I feel like a dυmbαss now. As soon as I saw you do the A cord I thought, "You dυmbαss! Just because you were shown this way, doesn't mean that you need to repeat it that way. Just push the strings down.". Thanks, Man! Much appreciated.
Thanks this video really helped if for no other reason than reminding me I'm not the only one with this issue. I experiment a lot on forming chords i have discovered i kind of have to have an unorthodox playing style, but we don't all have to play according to the book, the objective is to play well
BOTH GUITARS I HAVE ARE 42mm WIDE.AND I DIDN'T KNOW THEY MAKE THEM BIGGER. I can't believe I spent the last 15 years of my life not able to play A major, B major and F minor. I do the A major with the pinky. I'm so relieved to learn this existed and sad at the same time. thanks for the useful video
Having not picked a guitar in 41 years I was slightly dismayed that I couldn't form some cords due to my older and thickened fingers(58 years old). Thanks for the encouragement and tips to try and overcome what might just be a "mind over matter" issue. Thanks for your help Tomas. Btw, I love your guitar, I just received my brand new LL-TA sunburst 3 days ago which I am super happy with. No doubt that Yamaha makes a fine product. Regards.
Thanks a lot for this! I'm now starting guitar after having a good amount of practice in piano, and these tips seem like they're so easy to find yet I thought the answer to my fingers was so complex.
Thank you so much for this video! I was getting really frustrated with my fingers muting the strings now that I'm trying to learn chords. Definitely gonna try out these techniques.
Nice to know there are alternative ways to play a D chord, as that was in my 1st lesson and the high E string was muting out and believe me I have tried it at least 50 times. I think it's due to the fact that my ring finger got broken many moons ago and the last part of my knuckle is set solid with quite a fat pad. Many thanks for tips and I may now think of getting a 12 string but string out spaces to a 6 string. Cheers Tomas.
Thanks for the encouragement...been pretty frustrated lately trying to learn even basics. Good job with the lighting, BTW. Background halo effect really emphasizes you in the center of the frame.
Excellent demonstration. It's so easy to make excuses for not being able to do something. After 5 minutes following your tips, I'm not quite able to do a two for one chord but simply positioning the fingers vertically, I'm hitting the E and A chords well.
I was 45 before I even attempted guitar; not only do I have huge hands but my left pinky was badly broken when I was a teenager. I'd start to learn a few chords and inevitably would learn a couple, but couldn't possibly manage that third chord. My wife got me a banjo when I was 40 and that was far less intimidating. Eventually a friend told me there were ways to "cheat" and use for example G instead of G7; I also figured out how to play a C with two fingers by covering the A and D but muting the G, all with the middle finger. I'll never be a virtuoso but there's always a way~
Thank you for your valuable information. I am a female 5'4" my fingers are kind short and chubby. I know most chords, strumming patterns and I can switch between chords very fast, but my fingers keep hitting unwanted strings. Extremely frustrated!😕😫 I got 2 Private teachers trying to help me, but I found your video more helpful. It gave me hope! Also "keep trying, try different guitar, keep practicing, it will get better"🙏❤
I put my capo on third fret and it makes 100% difference in the way my strings ring out. Not only that I see people on tv playing and they have wide necks on their guitar. I hardly ever see one playing a skinny neck. I can't afford a wide neck guitar but someday I will have one.
Thankyou for this video with great advice ,I'm a bass player so like a wider string spacing and Came across these wide neck guitars. Aria MM 10 Gypsy Jazz has a Nut width of 50mm / 2" (It's the one with the "D" Shape sound hole I don't know if it's still in production) also I bought an Harley Benton CUSTOM LINE CLO1048 SCE NS Nut width is 48 mm, has a cutaway and a Fishman piezo transducer electrics with built in tuner came set up really nice guitar for the money.
Hi started learning because something I've always wanted to do, was thinking of giving up because of fat fingers, also thinking I'm to old and I'd started to late but thank you I'll think I'll keep at it 😊
I use the same method for the A chord. I actually find it a bit hard to fit my fingers in certain chords on an electric guitar. Usually the ones that require 4 fingers.
Thanks for the D tip. I had trouble with the A chord and discovered I could do it with my first finger barring the 2nd, 3rd, and fourth strings while leaving the 1st string free. It is just the shape of my finger.
I loved this video.. very joyful and optimistic! You made it easier for me to keep practicing. Also your way of talk and how you sound is very relaxing and gives a positive energy. A new subscriber here😊
Yep, i have old construction hands that have muscle on muscle,, impossible to use traditional fingers placement. And thick wrist from years of lifting heavy loads and swinging hammers, which makes it hard to bend the wrist. Not to mention wide fingers from all the hard work. Most musician have never done any hard work in their life and can not understand that we construction guys have hands that are very very strong and thick. But if it is possible i will figure ways around it. Should have bought a piano.
thank you, Tomas! I just acquired a guitar and began to despair of ever being able to get my fingers in the standard chord positions because they're "fat". Interestingly, I played violin for years and accommodated for the finger position by shifting my fingers (there are no frets on a fiddle, of course).
Thank you sir. I was just about ready to give up on the G cord.....
Glad I could help, Adrian.
That was hard for me too...
I’m trying to do f major
I am struggling with this right now 😞
@@TomasMichaud the frustrating part for a beginner like me is when I mute a string. I have been practicing d chord for 1 month know but e string always mute. I already arc my fingers.
Thank you for this video. Just started learning guitar at the ripe old age of 47 and I was getting a bit frustrated with thudding sound when playing chords. This video was insightful and I appreciate your enthusiasm when it comes to learning. Gonna give it a go and like you said. Practice. 👍
Glad I could help, Rodney.
@@TomasMichaud This lady I just found has a web site www.everyonecanjam.com she is very help full with this kinda stuff. I will go get U a link to one of her videos soon as I can leave this room.. Here U go this one is short and sweet but will give U an Idea what shes all bout. I been playing for years and she taught me some thing I should have known but. I'm self taught and always tring to move to fast.. Good luck Here's that video
ua-cam.com/video/gXRT2_nXXP0/v-deo.html
Rodney Pierre I’m starting @70.
keep at it boss hope you didnt give up
Rodney you still playing? How is it going?
Hi Tomas. I'm seventy year old and just pick up the guitar for the first time. My fingers are on the short chubby side and was having a tough time making an A chord. Using the pinky finger is a real breakthrough for me. Thank you so much. I'm experimenting using the little guy on some of the other chords and they sound so much cleaner. Thanks again from Carl.
Hi Tomas, I started 7 years ago when I was 70 and struggled with 6 strings so I bought a baritone ukulele with the four strings tuned DGBE like a guitar. A lot easier with the extra space between the strings. You do of course lose the EA bass strings.
That is the only way I can make a clean A chord. I’ve gotten fair at barring an A also.
I'm proud of you!!! I hope ur still learning. Never quit. Draw out chords on flash cards. Blessings of Music Talent and Anointing sent to you!!!! Happy Holidays!!! You inspired me 🎄
PRACTICE PATIENCE PERSERVERANCE !!!! 👍
At a certain point you should try to start playing without looking at the fretboard, or looking at it as little as possible, because removing the distraction of the visual element and relying on sense of feel alone can assist in making microadjustments of your fingers because your sense of touch will become more refined. You can visualize the fretboard in your mind without actually looking at it while you're playing. Takes some adapting to, but worth it. This can also help you HEAR the subtleties of what you're playing better by removing that visual distraction as well.. "feeling" the rhythm more and so on and so forth. Can be quite freeing.
This video was a breath of fresh air. I have huge, fat fingers. No body has ever been able to help me. I tried most of your suggestions and they worked. I've always felt like there was no chance of me learning to play the guitar but I feel like there is some hope for me now. Thank you!
Timestamps:
1:40 Guitar Neck Width
2:34 Finger positioning
4:40 Different ways to form a chord
8:51 Practice, Patience, Persistence
Wow... thanks!
Lol thankyou
Guess i'll just play bass😔
Dude U was thinking the same thing
I've been a bass player for 40 yrs. There are just Different technique problems with bass. Stick it out. AND learn to play bass. I recommend "Talking Bass" with Mark Smith here on UA-cam. I've had a Lot of different teachers, Mark is the BEST! Good luck in your musical journey.
Look up ZAGER guitars
ZALEZ BEATZ my problem is I want t be the front man
Third Eye I never played base
skinny as a twig, fingers literally bones, and I still fat finger every. single. note.
How long have you been playing? I've got very large fingers. I've been playing for quite a while and I would recommend making sure your finger placement is right every time and then working on chord changing speed. Also, like he says, it's important that your fingers come in as perpendicular to the fingerboard as you can.
Fat bones
Pascal I have short fat fingers
I’m no expert guitarist, but one thing I’ve noticed is that 1) sometimes improvement is very gradual...you improve a chord or lick ever so slightly each time you practice, and 2) sometimes you practice something all the time, seemingly making no progress at all, and then all of a sudden without any warning or explanation, it becomes easy. I have no idea why that is, but I would say that if you keep practicing then you will get it, either gradually or all at once after a while.
@@Driimweever I can so relate!
Tomas, some of these lessons came to out of utter “I can’t do this” frustration, but you affirmed and confirmed so much. Thank you!
Really having a problem with muting the thinner strings. Love your tip of practice, patients and persistence, that's gold!
Hi John. It's something I have to keep telling myself as well. :)
This guy is a fantastic teacher. Seems very patient, encouraging and inspiring. I wish I was his student--I'd be playing a lot quicker than with any other teacher.
Thanks for your kind words :)
Thanks for the ending message. I was losing patience with myself and figured it was my fat fingers because mine I truly chunky, but the way you made the video really calmed me down and brought some hope back to learning. Thanks again
Maybe they should make guitar necks a bit wider.
TexasDog3 no
Seagull guitars have a little bit more room between strings. I wish I knew that before buying my Yamaha. BTW, after a year I'm not improving. ha ha
Classical guitars are wider
Search "wide nut guitars". You could also have the neck replaced, if you've already spent a lot on a guitar (rather than buying a new one). (
@@DaveCharbonneau1 Thank you very much!
I'm 140lbs with a ring size 11.5, I gave up on guitar for a long time but today is different and this has been supremely helpful. Thank you.
After struggling with this, I went to a jewelry store to find out my ring size...
It's 14. 😖 I gave up guitar.
i've struggled with but loved every minute learning guitar. i have a damaged middle finger tip which has always made fretting certain shapes awkward and painful and invariably touching other strings. Your point and demonstration of angling the fingers has been a revelation. Thank you so much, Tomas
Happy to help!
i have been struggling with some of these chords to the point of dispair.. THANK YOU for sharing these
Just like when I was 8 and learned the drums… keep pushing those “circuits” and all of a sudden you have it… “practice makes perfect”
Thanks for posting
Practice isn't going to make my fingers skinny. 🤦♂️
Not sure if you mentioned it. But don't use too much pressure. You only need the string to touch the fret without buzzing. You don't need to nail it to the timber.
I’ve been playing since I was five. I’m forty five now. I struggle with fat fingers so over the years I just made up my own chords. Thank you you’ve given me the confidence to learn actual chords now.
You're welcome Eric.
Wow, I had no idea nylon string guitars were actually wider on the necks! Good to know there are a bunch of different sizes
Wish I knew this before buying a fender steel string 😂
Man this helped so so much I have long chubby fingers and some chords seem so impossible and all the videos out there make is seem like you HAVE to use the finger placement they are showing you....using one finger for two strings was a big help!
Thank you. The A chord was the toughest for me, but you’ve given me some good options.
Happy to help!
Great, useful info & presentation! Thanks.
You're very welcome Exoman
Excellent Video! Apologies for chiming in, I am interested in your thoughts. Have you ever tried - Riddleagan Skillful Playing Remedy (Sure I saw it on Google)? It is a good one of a kind guide for learning complex guitar chords and become a pro without the headache. Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my close friend Aubrey at very last got excellent results with it.
Hey brother
I'm lefty 6 12 string Guitarist with yeps you got it short fat fingers
Actually I play the A chord with pinky ring and middle fingers when playing Fender necks on Gibson necks there's more room
I just play E chord without index finger
I don't play C chord tad difficult to place down I just take the chord loss
D chord manageable G chord to
My guitar teacher taught there's the base basic guidelines to play guitar and most of what we will do is so many adjustments and modifications that's not in the rules book hence how you're demonstrating using different fingers for certain chords to place the chords down which I think you showing that means you're a great teacher you formulate your words very well and I think teachers like you are a great benefit for the beginner Guitarist to build on
I'm almost 70 and just started to learn the ukulele. This video was invaluable for me. Thank you so much for the tips and encouragement
You are so welcome!
Thank you, I struggle a little with this especially D7. I'm going to try your various techniques. I'm 2 week into learning as a beginner and just practice cords each day.
Using my last three fingers really helped on a E major chord! Thank you!
Glad it helped Aaren!
i picked up a guitar the other day and was watching videos about chords and it was hard to do cuz my fingers are thick
after watching this video i realized its not about following the rules but its about doing what works for you!
thanks so much this was very informative and gave me hope for playing. I was using my sisters 43mm neck acoustic and was muting a string on almost every chord.
Glad I could help Niko.
79 years old here, and having big problems with fingers muting strings in chords. Thanks for the encouragement; it gives me a sense that I might eventually find ways to play chords that sound right. At present, it's pretty demoralizing. ;)
You can do it!
I'm glad someone who plays guitar put up a video not dismissing this claim. It's annoying to get to the point where you know you need chords and you really can get any to come out the way you are being directed.
This really helped me as I'm a beginner. Thank you
Hi Tomas. I’m 47. I bought a guitar 30 years ago and couldn’t play and fingers not fitting really was the main reason I gave up. I tried several times but recently my kids wanted to play and I found my old Epi Les Paul special II. I bought it new abs time and being in a garage meant it needed some TLC. I dedicated days to getting it back to original. Ha ha. Yeah, I hear you, a cheap guitar isn’t worth the effort. A neighbour is a legit big rocker in Australia and was huge 30 years ago too and so I being a music nut worker who he was out. He said he’d do all the technical stuff and restring, check the wires and pups etc. the Bridge pick up is a bit lower sounding but she’s up and running. Now-I gave up because of my fingers just being to fat. I always used to do the A chord trick but did all three strings with one finger which used to sound excellent. Certainly better than with my three fingers mess. I wanted to thank you for normalising and forgiving these things because I felt this would impede my progress and skills later on if I took short cuts like this but I think it’s generally accepted to do what works. If it creates bad habits that will be hard to break later on, the. That is the issue that worries me. Anyways. I’m at my Third attempt at learning the guitar and your video has given me a real sense of confidence in myself as I was doing some of these things but felt like I was cheating or whatever. Om just going to try the different fingers too because my ring finger feels like it knows where to go more than my biggest middle finger that feels unco most of the time. I try to keep them in their designated frets but it’s taking so long and still feels weak and as if it doesn’t belong. Anyways, I’m glad you did this video. If you know some other electric guitars with helpful necks to look at, that would be nice to hear about in a video. Also, what percentage of players do stuff like this to just get around the guitar when with bigger fingers. I suspect it is higher than I think. Mike Syd Aus.
Finally, someone who understand my pain. Thanks for this video.
You're welcome!
thanks Tomas, the fat finger hitting pressing two strings worked for me especially that i'm using an electric guitar which requires less pressure
I learned some of these very same techniques from George Hinchcliffe of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain while learning to play ukulele. Thanks for showing me their application on guitar.
I struggled for about a month and tried really hard to learn the proper finger form . Ended up trying a seagull s6 and I instantly felt like I could play. I don’t recommend getting it off the bat so that u don’t get lazy with the form but it totally helped and now I feel good about learning acoustic !! (Seagull s6 has a slightly wider neck but is still a steel string acoustic)
OMG you're video is a godsend. Always loved the sound of guitar and was amazed watching people play when one day I decided to have a mid-life crisis and learn to play before it was too late. I was just wondering if I'd made a huge mistake when I found you. My enthusiasm has been totally re-ignited because tip #3, using one finger over multiple strings etc., is just working a treat. Everywhere else I looked told you "this finger must go here" and that it's bad form to do anything else. I was finding it physiologically impossible to keep all fingers straight up and down whilst also being spread about, I'm looking at you D chord, and yes I know there will be more difficult chords but I couldn't even nail this one! So thank you. 👏
Thanks so much! I was having issues with fat fingers with small neck electric. and 50 with nerve & muscle issues but I am working at 30 min to 1 hr a day.
Great! Glad to hear it helped
Great video. I found you after 3 years of playing guitar!! More videos on guitar please, cus your presentation is one of the best lve seen on youtube. I watch youtube alot.
I strugleg a few years to play certain chords because of my fingers. I mean on acoustic guitars. Most of the acoustic guitar manufacturs offer 42 to 44 mm guitar necks. But I bought a 46 mm nut widht Baton Rouge x54 OM CHB acoustic, and most of my problem were solved. Now I can enjoy guitar playing using chords like B7 or F major which I could not played properly for many years. Baton Rouge offers a lot of 46mm nut widht acoustic guitars, Richwood also has some 46mm parlors, Harley Benton, Framus and Cort offer some 45 or 48mm parlor, Folk, OM or GA models. Good luck to find one whichi fits your big hands. So of you have big hands or fat fingers forget the 42-43 mm nut widht acoustics and search for some 46mm and you will see the difference.
WOW!!! I was trying to switch chords, and that A major was driving me nuts one again. I wish that I had thought about looking at the internet when I first started, because now I will have to relearn some transitions. By the way, I am 72 years old, been playing for a year. And, coming from the violin world, I had the snobbish expectation that the guitar would be easy, as you don't have to place your fingers to find the note! I've had more than my share of humble pie over the last year.
Thanks for this, and I will definitely check out your channel.
Happy to help! Be sure to subscribe to get my regular content :)
My absolute favorite guitar is a classical guitar with low tension steel strings made especially for classical guitar ( Thomastik-Infeld KF110 Nickel Classical Guitar ) problem solved. It’s a Córdoba which has a truss rod. These strings are amazing and sustain is great. I can play on a normal width guitar, and do quite often but play so much better on the classical with the wide nut. I can do single finger A chord on the classical due to my sausage fingers.
This is without doubt THE best guitar video I have come across so far. Helped me no end. Many thanks!
Glad I could help, hangableauto.
Watch three times to be able to follow the subtitles because my English is still very limited, but it was still a very well invested time. You really helped me. Thank you very much!
You're very welcome FM
I’ve just started playing the guitar and I thought am I allowed to use my big fingers to press two strings at once? This video boosted my confidence greatly! Thank you, subscribed!
Thanks, Palveer. I appreciate it.
good job
Thanks for the tips. My hands are gigantic. For prospective, I can hold a standard ruler between my thumb and pinky with ease. These tips really help in my learning journey. God bless.
Thank you. You are a great confidence builder. I will keep practising
I need tips like this because im having a difficult time on playing a G chord
As a violin player I’m jealous of those frets 😫
LLLore hahahaha i played violin for a few months!! 😂😂 had to work on my intonation 🥴 memories.. learning guitar tho and it soooo much easier
@@friedrice3337 that sounds great lmao, i used to play violin and cello so that makes me more comfortable knowing it’ll be easier
throw my fisst around a fiddle any day man c'mon
don't be, one of the most beautiful things about violin is the literal unlimited amount of sounds, in guitar there are limited tones, that's why guitar like instruments from the middle east don't have frets, they limit sound
Thank you Thomas!!! My head was about to explode after I realized that my fingers were the problem. Your video saved me from severe head trauma! Thank you for being the cure to saving my dream of playing guitar!!
i was getting quite frustrated with my thicker fingers and your video really helped. Its not the same as having lessons in person but watching your video really put a light on how i can improve . .now back to practising i go :)
You got this!
Pheww, my whole life, I was fine with my fingers. I am a metal drummer, but through the DAW and amp sim stuff I grabbed some Donner guitars. And I found out, that my fingers are not only fat but also short.
Haha. The 12string guitars tip is awesome if I wanted to go that deep into the guitar world. But I think, firstly I will do some power cords and chords with the one finger two strings technique. I think I won't play fancy solos on the guitar.... let's see. Thank you!
I played when I was a young man. I am reteaching myself. It is frustrating muting strings with every note and cord I play because my fingers a so fat now. I don't want to be limited to only being able to play certain guitars. Thanks for the tips. I am getting better at it as time goes by.
Thank you, those are very good tips. I will practice.
The C chord makes my knuckles hurt! I’ve substituted a CMaj7 quite well, damn stubby fingers! Oh, and they’re fat to 😑
I feel your pain. As a hobbit guitarist ( I'm 5ft. 3.) Makes me fudge a bit while playing. Still have a bit of trouble using my thumb over the neck, ala Hendrix,and SRV.
I have to try that
Glad I watched this I have mechanic hands. My fingers are short and fat and was fighting against using 2 fingers for the E chords.
Thankyou so much sir, you clear my all doubts.
I feel like a dυmbαss now. As soon as I saw you do the A cord I thought, "You dυmbαss! Just because you were shown this way, doesn't mean that you need to repeat it that way. Just push the strings down.". Thanks, Man! Much appreciated.
Great advice! My index finger is the problem on the treble strings.
The 2 finger A chord was helpful thanks.
Welcome!
I was so frustrated because of always hitting a dead note. This gave me options and new solutions to try. Thank you!
You're welcome Kourtney.
Thanks this video really helped if for no other reason than reminding me I'm not the only one with this issue. I experiment a lot on forming chords i have discovered i kind of have to have an unorthodox playing style, but we don't all have to play according to the book, the objective is to play well
I agree Dayvid.
BOTH GUITARS I HAVE ARE 42mm WIDE.AND I DIDN'T KNOW THEY MAKE THEM BIGGER. I can't believe I spent the last 15 years of my life not able to play A major, B major and F minor. I do the A major with the pinky. I'm so relieved to learn this existed and sad at the same time.
thanks for the useful video
Having not picked a guitar in 41 years I was slightly dismayed that I couldn't form some cords due to my older and thickened fingers(58 years old). Thanks for the encouragement and tips to try and overcome what might just be a "mind over matter" issue. Thanks for your help Tomas. Btw, I love your guitar, I just received my brand new LL-TA sunburst 3 days ago which I am super happy with. No doubt that Yamaha makes a fine product. Regards.
Congratulations on your new guitar Terry!
Thanks a lot for this! I'm now starting guitar after having a good amount of practice in piano, and these tips seem like they're so easy to find yet I thought the answer to my fingers was so complex.
Thanks for commenting, comma period.
Thank you so much for this video! I was getting really frustrated with my fingers muting the strings now that I'm trying to learn chords. Definitely gonna try out these techniques.
You can do it!
As someone moving from bass to acoustic guitar, this was very helpful, thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I started playing after a year on a new guitar and have been struggling with A major, B major and D minor
Nice to know there are alternative ways to play a D chord, as that was in my 1st lesson and the high E string was muting out and believe me I have tried it at least 50 times. I think it's due to the fact that my ring finger got broken many moons ago and the last part of my knuckle is set solid with quite a fat pad. Many thanks for tips and I may now think of getting a 12 string but string out spaces to a 6 string. Cheers Tomas.
Great video. I won't feel guilty anymore for forming the chords wrongly.
Glad I could help, Roy.
Great tip on using your 3, 4, 5 fingers for an “A” chord. Rings clear now. Thanks!
You're welcome Bret.
Thanks for the encouragement...been pretty frustrated lately trying to learn even basics. Good job with the lighting, BTW. Background halo effect really emphasizes you in the center of the frame.
Awesome! Thank you!
That's really wonderful…Thank you!
Glad you like it!
Excellent demonstration. It's so easy to make excuses for not being able to do something. After 5 minutes following your tips, I'm not quite able to do a two for one chord but simply positioning the fingers vertically, I'm hitting the E and A chords well.
That's great to hear!
Thank you so much for this Tomas!
My pleasure!
Tip for noobs. Work that pinky. A small suggestion is instead of index and ring for hammerons and pulloffs, practice with middle and pinky.
I was 45 before I even attempted guitar; not only do I have huge hands but my left pinky was badly broken when I was a teenager. I'd start to learn a few chords and inevitably would learn a couple, but couldn't possibly manage that third chord. My wife got me a banjo when I was 40 and that was far less intimidating. Eventually a friend told me there were ways to "cheat" and use for example G instead of G7; I also figured out how to play a C with two fingers by covering the A and D but muting the G, all with the middle finger. I'll never be a virtuoso but there's always a way~
Thank you for your valuable information. I am a female 5'4" my fingers are kind short and chubby. I know most chords, strumming patterns and I can switch between chords very fast, but my fingers keep hitting unwanted strings.
Extremely frustrated!😕😫 I got 2 Private teachers trying to help me, but I found your video more helpful. It gave me hope! Also "keep trying, try different guitar, keep practicing, it will get better"🙏❤
Glad it was helpful Mar!
Wow this was very helpful !
Glad it was helpful!
I put my capo on third fret and it makes 100% difference in the way my strings ring out. Not only that I see people on tv playing and they have wide necks on their guitar. I hardly ever see one playing a skinny neck. I can't afford a wide neck guitar but someday I will have one.
Thank you sir.. I shall keep trying.. your suggestions feel practical and genuine..
You're welcome Arshar
Good informative video. I like the positivity. Thanks
You are so welcome
Thank you, I'm an older fellow that should have started out a long time ago. I have large fingers am have been frustrated starting out.
thank you for your valuable advice
Thankyou for this video with great advice ,I'm a bass player so like a wider string spacing and Came across these wide neck guitars. Aria MM 10 Gypsy Jazz has a Nut width of 50mm / 2" (It's the one with the "D" Shape sound hole I don't know if it's still in production) also I bought an Harley Benton CUSTOM LINE CLO1048 SCE NS Nut width is 48 mm, has a cutaway and a Fishman piezo transducer electrics with built in tuner came set up really nice guitar for the money.
Hi started learning because something I've always wanted to do, was thinking of giving up because of fat fingers, also thinking I'm to old and I'd started to late but thank you I'll think I'll keep at it 😊
Great video thank you for the tips!
No problem!
Thanks, very useful. Beginner videos often don't go into this much detail how to play specific chords, thank you.
Glad it was helpful Ferrum!
I use the same method for the A chord. I actually find it a bit hard to fit my fingers in certain chords on an electric guitar. Usually the ones that require 4 fingers.
I do the same and my finger aren't particularly fat.
Thanks for the D tip. I had trouble with the A chord and discovered I could do it with my first finger barring the 2nd, 3rd, and fourth strings while leaving the 1st string free. It is just the shape of my finger.
Glad I could help, Jeff.
I loved this video.. very joyful and optimistic! You made it easier for me to keep practicing. Also your way of talk and how you sound is very relaxing and gives a positive energy. A new subscriber here😊
Thanks Ahmed. Welcome!
Yep, i have old construction hands that have muscle on muscle,, impossible to use traditional fingers placement. And thick wrist from years of lifting heavy loads and swinging hammers, which makes it hard to bend the wrist. Not to mention wide fingers from all the hard work. Most musician have never done any hard work in their life and can not understand that we construction guys have hands that are very very strong and thick. But if it is possible i will figure ways around it. Should have bought a piano.
Thank you!!Time to go back to work on my beautiful journey of mastering play guitar!PS I need all the help I can get and at this stage it is obvious!
Best of luck Charlie!
I really needed this because I have been struggling with chords and scales
I'm glad I could help Evan.
thank you, Tomas! I just acquired a guitar and began to despair of ever being able to get my fingers in the standard chord positions because they're "fat". Interestingly, I played violin for years and accommodated for the finger position by shifting my fingers (there are no frets on a fiddle, of course).
btw: I'm the same age as carlr287 who wrote his thanks 3 years ago at age 70!
Thank you! This made me a lot less discouraged and gave me a clear path towards being able to play barre chords further up the neck.
I enjoy watching you videos and lesson. Great teacher
Thanks, Carlos. I appreciate it.
Thank you for this video I don’t know anything about playing a guitar but I would like to learn at least the basics just for fun