I have a question, maybe you can help me!

[GuitarGrl]

Hey Everyone,
I have a question. First let me tell you the problem. My hands from pinky to thumb stretched out is 7 inches. In a song that I am trying to learn it calls for this chord...
E-----2-- (thumb comes over to play low e)
A--------
D--------
G-----2--
B-----3--
E-----2--
....which is basically a D chord with the thumb coming over. It's really hard for me to get my thumb over to hit the low e. It is painful for me too, to bring my thumb over. I guess my question is that if i keep on practicing will my thumb stretch out enough to fret the note on the low e string? And is there anything that I can do to stretch my thumb out or any exercises that will help me? If you have any tips or anything that might help me it would be greatly apperciated. Thanks Kristen

[SG99]

I'm not sure what kind of help I can give you but here it goes..

Our hands are about the same size (I have small hands too!) but our finger lengths may still differ. I say this because I can form the chord you have illustrated.

You could try doing hand and finger exercizes. I believe those are in StoneDragon's first lessons.

(You may already be doing these but repetition for emphasis).

I stretch my hands by placing width of the guitar neck between my fingers. I start with the 1st fret, then repeat the stretch using the 5th fret..and work my way to the 12th. I do this between my index finger and middle finger, then middle finger and forefinger, then between forefinger and pinky.

Try not to be tense (don't clench you hand) when you form chords or even when you fret individual strings. I have a tendency to use a vise like grip when forming chords, this does not allow for much dexterity in forming chords and also in changing chord formations. It should not take much pressure to press down on the strings. So try and loosen your grip.

The best advice that I can give you thought is just to practice the chord over and over, don't get frustrated it will eventually come to you. If you do get frustrated put the guitar down for a few minutes and come back to it.

If all else fails just use a regular "D" chord.

SG99


[This message has been edited by SG99 (edited July 03, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by SG99 (edited July 03, 2001).]

[StoneDragon]

Hi GuitarGrl,

I would suggest you use this fingering:

- Put your thumb back behind the neck where it usually is.

- Use your index finger to play the note on the low E-string.

- Use your middle finger to play the note on the G string.

- Use your ring finger to play the note on the B-string.

- Forget about the high E-string. Lean your ring finger just enough to touch the high E-string and keep it from ringing.

- You can also lean your index finger into the A-string to keep it from ringing. The A-string is not critical to the chord and will actually make the chord sound muddy.

Strum away!

[brihead301]

Yup I agree with Stone Dragon.

[Semi-Hollowbody]

I mute the high e and the a, play the rest

[spoonbadger]

ha!i have the same sized hands!i can make the thumb but just barely,but i have fairly flexy fingers so maybe that contributes
you cant really make your thumb permanently longer,but before you play the song just bend you thumb in half normally over and over for about 30 seconds,it extends the muscle i tiny bit.when i do that,i can just about fret it but i do feel the strain in the joint,which aint too good.

but if you cant make the thumb what i would do is do the chord with my second third and fourth fingers and stretch up my first finger to the low E.if you do go with this,then make sure you find the easiest way to have your fingers on the strings but at the same time relaxed and not too tensed up.i just checked it on my guitar,and you should be able to get it.

spoons

[shiggity]

you could also play that chord like this

E-A-D-G-B-E
X-X-4-2-3-2

use your ring finger for thef# on the d string and barr your index finger acoss the 2nd fret for th g and e strings and use your middle finger on the b string for the D

[ProfessorRiffs]

I would just fret the 4 notes using all 4 fingers.

[Fruitloop]

Whoa where'd you dig up this fossil?

[brihead301]

Whoa where'd you dig up this fossil?

lol, it's about time someone noticed. I found it on page 975, at the very bottom of the page.

[broke_my_strat]

Whoa where'd you dig up this fossil?


haha for real. july 2001. And its still relevant today!

[Screw]

i believe that woulld be a D/F#, i agree w' stone, drop the fingering on the hi e string-- play the open e for a Dsus2/F# ( i think this is correct)

use it all the time, it's a cool sound.


wait, what's up w' the 6 yr old thread?? i hadn't noticed , lol