Hey all

I would like to ask you guys a question, but I don't want you to give me your "reflex" answer. I've heard that one millions of times...

Story goes as such... I really want play Guitar for God and have been trying really hard. Rhythm is good and open chords are good. Problem is no matter how many hours I invest into an open [A Chord] and Barrs, I CANNOT get all strings to come out clearly. I'm not talk about playing multiple chords, I mean just practicing the shape of those chords yields no result. This has been going on at least 7 months

This has lead me to question whether or not certain people's hands are just not fit for playing the Guitar. Example, I think my index finger is to bony to allow for all 5 strings to be pressed down enough to sound clear.

Question: Is it that some people just don't have the physical build for playing guitar?

Thanx

Originally Posted by Xariex

Hey all

I would like to ask you guys a question, but I don't want you to give me your "reflex" answer. I've heard that one millions of times...

Story goes as such... I really want play Guitar for God and have been trying really hard. Rhythm is good and open chords are good. Problem is no matter how many hours I invest into an open [A Chord] and Barrs, I CANNOT get all strings to come out clearly. I'm not talk about playing multiple chords, I mean just practicing the shape of those chords yields no result. This has been going on at least 7 months

This has lead me to question whether or not certain people's hands are just not fit for playing the Guitar. Example, I think my index finger is to bony to allow for all 5 strings to be pressed down enough to sound clear.

Question: Is it that some people just don't have the physical build for playing guitar?

Thanx

yes, it is. some people need to adapt and use different equipment/chords/methods to get by doing what they want to do, which is play music.

are you using an acoustic that is difficult to push down all the strings across for the bar chord? an A chord is just three fingers down without letting the outer ones hit the other strings. try a low-action electric like an Ibanez if you want to play easier. I'd recommend sticking with an acoustic before the switch up. I play both but prefer my Martin acoustic electric

forget the A and barr chords though. Play Am (A minor is easier in my opinion) and get a capo to play anywhere as open chords and practice your rhythm. (like capo 4th: Em Am C G)

im on youtube playin some songs and i use a capo for almost everything i play. i love the capo!

youtube search: Nick Bigelow

to see me capoing and chording. i dont even have a song that uses the A chord , and mostly dont use barrs. ever.

hope this is a good word of encouragement!

grace n' peace

Hey

Currently trying to play on a Washburn WR120 Electric. Not sure if it's low action or not.

I've heard of the term "Lighter strings". Could that also help?

Also, B Chord is included in some of my churches songs, that also needs to be barred. Any suggestions for easier B chords?

Sorry bout all the questions, I should've said before that I intend to play with my churches worship team when I'm ready

Thanx

Originally Posted by Xariex

Hey

Currently trying to play on a Washburn WR120 Electric. Not sure if it's low action or not.

I've heard of the term "Lighter strings". Could that also help?

Also, B Chord is included in some of my churches songs, that also needs to be barred. Any suggestions for easier B chords?

Sorry bout all the questions, I should've said before that I intend to play with my churches worship team when I'm ready

Thanx

yeah, try lighter gauge strings.

for the B... press really hard! try to get used to it, it should flow soon.

maybe pray on it, if it's God's will

Hi Xariex,

In addition to the valuable answers already given.

I feel I have to add the following:

1. If you have big hands / fingers, this can be easily fixed with a Wide Neck, ie a guitar which has a wider neck (strings alittle bit more spaced from one another) for easier playing.

2. I love lighter gauge strings, however, beware that you might need to reset / re-calibrate your guitar to have the neck angle and right tension on the strings.

3. You have to do some searches for tricks. All chords have alternatives and you might finds some of these alterantives which might sound better in certain occasions when playing solo or in a band. I use these "modified" chords a lot and they really shine in a song, actually you feel that you had done great leaps.
For the "B" chord for example you can play an open E major and slide it down to the 8th fret.. and there you are you have a B, and so and so-forth. You can use the same method with a D major, skip to frets you have an E, 1 Fret F, two more frets you have a G, etc ,etc...

4. Another thing before I forget ... Rehearse your fingering and rythms in the dark!! This will help you focus more on God when playing and obviously let you do other things other than looking at finger board

Consider this... if all the musicians play the same chord the same way you would have a chock-o-block kind of music which does not make sense. I have been in worship teams for the last 15 years (some of them really big with 10+ musicuans and 45 + choirs) which has blessed me a lot and made me learn a lot...

Take a look at our facebook page Search for HIS PROJECT BAND (pages/His-Project-Band/179844124742)

Good Luck

GBU all

Charlot from the little island of Malta in the Mediterranean!