I’m learning wonderwall currently. And I am really struggling with the stuck 3&4 chords.
Specifically my 3rd and 4th fingers buzzing. I feel like I can press really hard, right up near the fret, and the minute I move my 1st and 2nd fingers, the 3rd and 4th start to buzz.
My guitar is well setup, though it is an acoustic, so the strings are thicker than I’m used to. But I just can’t seem to avoid those fingers buzzing when I’m playing.
Is it really just a finger strength issue? Or is there some aspect of the chords I’m overlooking?
getting these stuck 3&4-chords under one’s fingers is tough. So it takes patience, time and practice.
The best way the folks here can help you sort that out is a video of your playing where we can see your fretting hand. Would this be ok for you?
I can only guess, but probably your fingers 3 and 4 start moving with the others while changing parts of the chords. That’s normal in the beginning. Fingers need to learn to be independent from each other. This develops with slow, mindful practice. Watch your fretting hand while changing chords and start really slow. Once your fingers get used to it, you can increase the speed bit by bit.
Also, you don’t need to “death grip” these chords. Try to find the minimum amount of pressure needed to make all strings ring out clearly. This helps to avoid tension in your fretting hand.
Not the easiest of chords!
I’m noticing too now while practicing “Wish you were here”.
Lisa said almost everything already.
Practice should make it much better!
But of course, in case your guitar isn’t set up well or has heavy strings that you struggle with anyway makes the case worse. So try to eliminate these points.
DON’T PRESS TOO HARD!!! You’ll just tire your hand out. It takes very little pressure to fret the high E and B strings, so I doubt that you aren’t using enough pressure.
I suggest holding the chord shape you’re having trouble with, pluck each string, and if one buzzes, try moving your finger around a bit until you get that string ringing clear.
Once you have found the right position, then teach yourself how little pressure it takes by slowly relaxing your finger pressure while plucking the string until you find the point where the buzzing returns. You’ll be surprised how little pressure you need!
Also, trim your nails as short as you possibly can so they don’t get in the way when fretting, especially if your callouses haven’t developed yet.
Totally agree with @Fast-Eddie. I would advise going a step further, even. Once you’ve found the right position for all your fingers and each string is sounding cleanly, then change chords (ie. move your middle and index fingers, keeping your ring finger and pinky in place) and repeat the exercise: pluck each string to hear it sound cleanly. If something does not, then correct it. Look closely at your 3&4 fingers while you change chords. Are they moving, even a tiny bit? See if you can make the chord change while keeping 3&4 completely immobile.
This is the sort of focused troubleshooting you need to do, imo.
Thank you for this explanation! I drafted a reply yesterday but, as a beginner, I worried I was talking nonsense so didn’t post it.
I’ve been having the same problem with the stuck G chord specifically. 3rd and 4th fingers sound great til I add the 1st and 2nd then it’s super buzzy. I was causing so much pain in my pinkie pressing so hard but didn’t make a difference. Moving my fingers didn’t help much either until I relaxed my whole arm and adjusted my elbow position… it’s not perfect but a whole lot better than before.
I find the strings ring out more clearly when I check them part way through a song, I guess because my arm is more relaxed and in a better position?
Still muddling through with it, but hope that helps/makes sense!?
I had some problem playing the stuck 3 and 4 chords too.
I’d say you have to find the right spot that your fingers want to sit at. If you press a bit harder, your fingers will build up enough finger strength to do it easily
