Day 7: Learning Guitar Week 1 Done!

by Scott on February 4, 2010

Here we are on day 7. I’ve been practicing quite a bit, probably about 30 minutes a day.

My finger tips are definitely getting tougher but are still just a little bit tender. At least pain is no longer the primary reason to stop a practice session.

Chords are frustrating! I’m having a really tough time with the the G7 chord and my “A” finger touching the vibrating “D” string and causing a buzz. No matter how I hold my fingers, they just get into the space of the other strings. I don’t have very big fingertips, so I’m hoping it’s just a matter of practice, and maybe as they toughen up, they won’t take up so much space when I press down hard.

I’ve taken a close look at what’s going on, and all I have to do is barely touch the D string while it is sounding and a buzz gets introduced. I have found that if I strum more softly, the strings don’t vibrate as widely and it is less likely to touch my finger that’s on a neighboring string. So for now, I’ll just strum softly.

It’s questions like this that can make self-learning frustrating. Anyone got any advice?

I’m not exactly proficient in all the week one skills, but I’m ready to move on to the next session. It doesn’t look like there’s much new hand-skills anyway, more knowledge. Session 2 is more single-note finger skills as well as learning how to read sheet music.

  • Yay Scotty are you going to be one of those guys that busts out the guitar at parties? :)
  • At this rate, not so much.
  • Wow my rate at reading blog posts is almost as good as me making posts on my own blog.
  • Matt McWilliams
    Hey if Todd Farmer can do it anyone can.

    Oh how I hope he reads this :)
  • Scott,
    That finger toughening/next string buzz are probably two of the biggest reasons people give up on guitar.

    Don't worry about it too much for now, just keep moving through the chords without trying to cramp your hand to fret them.

    I watched the video but can't see if it might be caused by your wrist/arm position. I did notice you probably should economize more on the finger motions by not lifting them so far away from the neck as you change positions (both on your picking and on your strum changes).
    Hang in there. Hope some day we might get a chance to play together.
    Allen
  • Thanks for the advice Allen.

    I look forward to meeting you some day. Let's start with that! ;)
  • chelscc
    Hi! Your colorwheel walkthough was extremely helpful to me, so hopefully I can be of some assistance to you!

    Okay, if you put your finger that is on the string as close as you can get it to the fret (when you are looking down, it will be the right side of the fret), then you will reduce the buzzing sound that happens when the string vibrates agains the fret. If you are using good technique but are still having problems with fret buzzing, it is possible that your frets might need leveling. That can cost anywhere from $100 to $200 if you go to the repair specialist in Houston (www.paceguitarrepair.com), though there are not a lot of repair shops around, so you may not have one in your area. Also, if your guitar was fairly inexpensive, it might not be worth it to put that kind of money into a repair job when it might be cheaper to trade up in the future (my personal favorite accoustic is made by Taylor). Good luck with your playing!
  • Thanks for the tips!

    The buzzing issue that I was having was more my finger barely hitting the string next to it. So if I was fingering the A string, my figer was hitting the D, just a tiny bit, causing a vibration.

    I've since learned that these things just work themselves out.

    Thanks for the comment. It makes me realize that I've slowed down on the practice and need to get back at it!
  • mattmcwilliams
    Yeah like I said before I can already see you and Brian jamming at Summit. Even if it has to be Mary Had a Little Lamb!
  • Scott,

    I think I'm at about the same spot as you are here in the training. I just finished DVD #1 and can (half) go back and forth between C cord and D7 and have it sound decent. I too have the same problems of my fingers touching the other strings when I play. I have big hands and am a little clumsy with my fingers since they are not trained well yet. But I have found that keeping my nails trimmed tight and keeping my fingers at more of a 90 degree angle from the frets helps as well. Also, you have to remember to hug up right behind the frets and that helps as you don't have to press down as hard. But I think alot of this problem is common with beginner guitar players, and with practice and more toughening of the finger tips, we with both improve over time.

    I enjoy your web site and videos. Glad to know I'm not out there alone (though I have to admit with the DVDs and Steve Krenz's guidance [he is very patient and friendly] it doesn't feel like I'm alone with any of this).

    Keep up the good work.
  • Yeah, sounds like we're neck and neck Dave. I've been practicing the first and second string exercises in lesson 2. And I can play Ode to Joy! w00t! (though that's only marginally more difficult that Mary Had a Little Lamb, which I can also play. ;)

    After reading through the forums, I'm more encouraged that the finger accuracy issue will just get better with practice. I already feel like it is. All great points on the fret techniques.

    Thanks for following along guys. This is why I did this, to find some people to share this with.
  • Matt McWilliams
    Great stuff Dave :) Good tips. I am definitely telling Steve too!
  • mattmcwilliams
    Don't forget about our student forums where you can ask questions and learn from others.

    You don't have to do it alone with Legacy Learning Systems :)
  • I don't think I knew about the forum, Matt!

    (the callouses are coming along fine!)

    On Tuesday, February 9, 2010, Disqus
  • Matt McWilliams
    Definitely check out http://community.legacylearningsystems.com/boards

    Our forums are great for support, learning, and asking Steve questions :)
  • I have checked out the forum. Just what I need, another busy forum! I will say that it seems MUCH friendlier than internet marketing forums tend to be. :)

    When I get some time and a little nerve, I'll post an introduction there and jump in.
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