OK everyone...I had my first lesson and I'm already frustrated...My fingers seem short...Also the end of my fingers when pushing down on the string hangs down and muffles the lower string? I have large forearms and my wrist doesn't seem to bend where my instructor wants it to go? So my question is?

Will I limber up?
How much pressure do I need to put on my strings?
And I'm having a heel of a time holding the guitar on my leg. It seems to be sliding off?
When playing where should I be looking?

Thanks ahead of time!
Jamie

Welcome aboard Jamie, first off Rome wasn't built in a day. Give it some time and you'll find a comfort zone, When I had my first lesson back in the 70's I felt like a retarded dog.
It took my several weeks to get comfortable and start to develope a style(I guess you would call it) I was comfortable with. Hang in there.
Also where abouts are you in Buffalo? I live south of it, in the Springville, West Valley area.

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Welcome aboard and hang tuff, the first six months are the hardest

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

Hang in there it WILL get better and easier. We have all been there!

Welcome to the forums, lots of good info here

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

1. Yes. Finger exercises and stretches can greatly help you with that. Even something as simple as squeezing a tennis ball and then stretching will help you limber up. You'll feel better after a month or so. Do it daily before and after practice.
2. Enough to sound the note without buzzing. Any more and you're wasting energy.
3. Footrest.
4. First month or so look at your hands. Make sure they are doing what you want, are in the correct position. Play on the tips of your fingers, don't bend your wrist funny, etc...It'll be frustrating but with proper practice and technique you won't have to worry about them as much and you can direct your attention elsewhere.

It's kinda like training to punch through a board. Sucks when you're developing the technique, but once you get it fun can be had.

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

Hi Jamie,welcome to the forum,most people who start playing guitar get discouraged early in the game and unfortunately that's why a lot of people quit without giving it a chance. Your fingers and wrists will become more supple and limber over time just give it a few weeks and you'll see a big difference.

I have a neuro-muscular condition in my forearms,wrists and hands so I'm basically relearning how to play and my chiropractor prescribed one of these silica filled stress-relief balls,I've found that a great help.In due time your fingers will be able to find their place on the frets with very little effort and your fingertips will firm up with callouses. Just don't give in to discouragement before you know it you'll be playing better than you hoped you ever could and be looking for many new songs to learn.Lots of luck with it and feel free to look here for any advice you need.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Hang in there chook chiller.....Its sooooo worth it!!!!! You'll be playin stuff in a short while.....DONT GIVE UP!!!! or you'll kick yourself for the rest of your life!!!!!! Imagine in a couple of years or less when you rip into a killa solo!!!!!

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Hey-welcome! Like everyone else said-hang in there. I have seen many great players with "small/short" fingers. If you keep at it and practice, you will overcome anything you think is in your way. I saw a YouTube video of a guy that plays bass guitar better than me and he only has one arm. Don't give up and remember to have fun!

Maybe if your teacher hauls off and smacks you a few times so you get it right, that may help. It did for me anyway. It only hurts for a little bit. HA!

Welcome aboard...Don`t get frustrated, with practice you`ll make the adjustments and start to get it right. There`s also the callous building on your finger tips and you`ll have to get past to too. You`ll be ok, just don`t be too hard on yourself and give up.

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The thing is-- you have to have the fire down inside to just WANT to play bass. You want to hold down the bottom and groove with a drummer in a band. You know that bass players are not in the limelight and you don't care. You don't care if it hurts your fingers or wrists... you just want to Rock out on the thing. It does something for you. You can feel the bass rumble the floor. You tie the song together and give it a solid foundation. You can hear that honk that other bass players have and you want it. REALLY want it.
If you have that stuff-- you probubly won't put it down.

It's also nice to know that girls really do dig bass players.

Welcome to the forums bro.
Hang in there it is hard to begin learning on the guitar. I know because ... and I am a shamed to write this ... but I haven't touched my guitar in months Between work school and gym and starting living on my own it was hard to find solid one or more hours a day to practice. But I am finishing school this spring and I am going to buy new strings on that CD-60 baby of mine and practice the living *BLEEP* out of it... so much that I will be forced to buy a new guitar next fall

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Deyr fé
Deyja frændr
Deyr sjálfr ið sama
En orðstír
Deyr aldregi
Hveim er sér góðan getr

Thanks everyone...I was practicing today and here is my major problem...The pads of my fingers while holding down a string mute the string below. My 1st finger sucks, of course my middle finger is best, LOL The other thing is the flexibility in my wrist to turn my hand out where my fingers are straight is a tough one.

Thanks for all the kind words...This is something I've wanted to do and I won't quit. I understand about crawling before you walk and so on! Having the internet to stay in contact with all of you and vent getting feedback (pardon the pun) will be why I'm successful! As far as my teacher slapping me once or twice, when I told him yesterday I was frustrated he said OK time to go! I'm alot bigger than he lol!

Lessons are great for forming a foundation in the early stages. Eventually you will make self adjustments to play more for comfort and feel. It's like golf, there are self taught hitters and there are schooled swingers. Some have great swings and cant play worth a crap, and some are great hitters that cant play worth a crap, and there are those who can play well regarless of swining or hitting.

Hi Jamie, Welcome to the forum.
When you hold your guitar take note of where your thumb is behind the neck. If it is high, looping over the top edge your fingers will drop low, making it difficult to cleanly finger your strings. The lower you drop your thumb behind the neck, the higher it lifts your fingers up the front, making it easier to get the tips of your fingers on the strings. It will hurt the tips of your fingers for a while but play through the pain, you'll be okay.
I wish you all the best. Have fun.

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