I have been working on Jack and Diane for a few weeks now specifically to better develop my triads in different areas of the neck. This song is great practice for that.
Most of the song is doing ok for me but I have so much trouble getting a clean chord in the second fret A chord. The chord starts with index finger barring the DGB strings then does a hammer on of middle finger 3rd fret B, and ring finger 4th fret D string (see photo).
This chord shape is so difficult for me. When I hammer on the middle and ring fingers, the index turns and lifts loosing that A note on the G string. Also the fingers really want to curl inward causing dead notes, etc. So much pressure and soreness in the hand when forming this shape.
My hand anatomy is not agreeing with this shape at all . I also have so much trouble playing a āmini Fā as that index finger wont lay down to barre when other fingers are on the fretboard. Similar situation to this chord shape.
Of course I know the answer is: keep practicing, and I will but jeez this one has been fighting me. Anyone have a nemesis chord and found ways to overcome it?
BTW: my pinky finger in the pic is not touching the fretboard even though it looks like it.
@Jozsef Fretting stings 2 and 4. In this part of Jack and Diane the chords go from A to D/F#.
@jpparlier the only advice I can give you is try and keep you index Finger flat and donāt move it when doing the hammer on. This chord progression is very common and something yiu need to get right. Some people call it the Keith Richards move. He uses it a lot in his playing. It is also movable on the neck. Itās basically going from the 1 chord to the 4 chord
When moving through Barre chords; first E shape and then A shape barre variations, this shape becomes recognizeable and youāre probably already used ot put on enough strength to get clean notes when lifting/hammering the middle finger. You might even see it as āOh Iām doing the regular Bm7 but Iāll leave out the B in the bottomā
Which is the minor variation of the āA shape barreā
If you cut of f the top note of that Bm7, you still get Bm7
My basic advice would be to tackle this in Grade 6
ā¦but that doesnāt really help you now
Btw, curling that index finger is one of Justinās many tips on learning barre chords.
You want to check out this video:
@stitch
Yes indeed I am very familiar with this shape as a former righty player. I have no trouble at all with this shape playing right handed. For whatever reason playing it lefty (right fretting hand) just is giving me real fits.
I will focus on doing some reps of keeping index finger flat very and hammering on/off with the middle and ring fingers. Thanks for the feedback!
Hi @Jozsef ,
Try this:
Put your index finger on the G-string (2nd fret), and rotate your left hand counter-clockwise to wrap around the fretboard a bit more.
On this trial-exercise, you will not have any finger on the High-E string.
Let me know if this is working ok. (At least on the pinky hitting the A-string (5th fret).
Good luck.
Rene
Yep, mineās F. Iām feeling so utterly defeated and no, not overcoming it at all . How long have you been playing Jeff? Iām just envious that youāre playing a song/s. Iām just going around circles with A,D and E, āplayingā songs that do not sound like songs. Just noise.
Jeff, my attention is not on your fingers - as they are last in line - but on your body. You are tilting your torso over at a steep angle, as evidenced by the slant in your visible shoulder. Your elbow is being pushed into your mid-riff restricting its freedom of movement. You are holding the guitar to the side rather than in front of your body meaning your forearm is virtually in front of your face. Push the guitar laterally so the neck sticks out away from you, sit up with better posture and a straighter back, neck and shoulders, free up your elbow and give your forearm its best chance of influencing the comfortable working of your fingers.
I hope that helps.
@Richard_close2u
Thank you for the feedback. Actually my body is only in this position as I was reaching over/across the guitar to take the picture of the chord I was holding.
I certainly continue to work on my posture and playing position as it still doesnāt āfeelā natural to be holding a guitar left-handed, even after a year of practice.
I have been playing left-handed for a year now but was a right-handed player for over 40 years. I switched because of a left hand pinky finger injury that made it pretty much useless for fretting/playing. Itās been a very challenging experience for sure.
The F chord is notorious as you are experiencing. For sure you will get it with steady practice and following Justinās lessons. Keep at it!
Wow, I commend you for being able to switch to left. No wonder youāre having a few issues due to injury although given that youāve 40yrs experience, including musical theory knowledge, with your obvious dexterity and determination, Iām sure youāll have it down pat in no time.
I do continue to practice each day but Iām considering an actual lesson. Just perhaps the one. Just in case Iām developing bad habits but also to have the physical side of having a teacher direct or show where my fingers need to be
That sounds like the voice of frustrationā¦a feeling I am very familiar with.
I highly doubt the songs you are currently playing are ājust noiseā. They are probably just not up to what you hear in your head or on the recording.
I suspect there is something else other than chord shapes that is causing the problem. Maybe something about your strumming. A video, or at least an audio clip would be very helpful here.
Also, you donāt mention G and C chords. Those are more difficult than A, D, and E - but will allow you to play many, many more songs. Going straight to F is a big jump!
Hang in there! Lotās of good advice available here in the Community.
It is frustrating. Iāve looked at songs with C and G at the end of grade one and definitely keen to learn them but thereās also songs with ADE that I can chord change relatively well however my strumming occasionally leaves a lot to be desired, especially with faster tempo. Iām okay ish with the C G chords although Iām not great with muting the E with the C Chord and Iāve not yet reached any anchor chord changes for those two. Iām on module 5 but it goes to understanding music notes which has me totally baffled. I just downloaded the free grades 1 to 3 in theory today so will spend some time reading up on that and in between, do some finger stretch lessons then tackle anchoring the C and G. I drew up the various Gs, Cadd9, Dsus4, Emin7 last night so thereās a few more chords to play about with also but I think for now, Iāll just stay focused on the current hurdles.
Thank you Tom
Some chords are SUPER hard. They take hand flexibility changes to nail. The one youāre doing now, Iām also doing something similar at a different place in the neck (for Rock n Roll All Nite) and itās hard to do the mini-barre and fingers cleanly. For me itās flexibility between index and middle finger.
My current nemesis that I am getting closer and closer to mastering is Em9 at the 5th fret. A song Iām learning needs it. I can get it most of the time now, but itās stretchy!
I think there are always certain chords and changes that will push your ability, and it doesnāt always have to be āhardā chords.
Iām currently struggling with what seems a pretty basic G to B7 change.
Neither chord is āhardā, but the fingers/brain just canāt seem to handle that change
@SgtColon
I suppose it depends how important the Am11 is in your song Stefan. Iād be tempted to forget string 4 and play a Gmajor triad. Mini barre strings 1&2 with finger 1 fret 3. then finger 2 on string 3 fret 4.
You only strum strings 1, 2 and 3.
The main issue is although I regularly play A major and minor shape Barre chords, this is the first song Iām aware of thatās used a major 7, so itās just getting that shape programmed into the fingers.
Itās almost up to speed after a bit experimenting and lots of practise, but itās just been a bit frustrating.
. I also have so much trouble playing a āmini Fā as that index finger wont lay down to barre when other fingers are on the fretboard. Similar situation to this chord shape.
