Lesson 4 - Place Those Fingers Confidently on that Fret!

Correct finger placement on the fret as well as on the string is extremely important in guitar playing! This will determine the actual sound you are trying to make. If your fingers are not on the right fret, then you might end up making a scratchy, unclear, and irritating noise, not music.

When you first begin to practice and play and learn the basics, it will be natural for the sound to be all over the place. Don’t worry, this is perfectly okay. Do not get discouraged. Every novice experiences this. Focus on mastering the fundamentals of guitar playing, be diligent and patient, and you will be making good music in no time. Your goal is to produce a soft, crisp, clean sound when you play --- something that will impress not only yourself but your friends and family, as well, when you get together and you show them what you have been learning. So take the time to familiarize the fret and know exactly where your fingers should go and play it right!

Right now, your fingers are probably pretty sensitive. Once you start playing and practicing, your fingers will soon become calloused and hard from pressing down the strings. This is a good sign because it means you have been practicing. Remember that the more you practice, the longer you will be able to play once those fingers become calloused. So when you begin to play a chord or a tab, be sure to have a simple one to start out with. When you press down on the string, it is best to place your finger behind the fret; this will keep you from having to put too much pressure down when you play your note. Be sure to use the tips of your fingers when you are pressing down on the strings. You only want one finger on one string, depending on what the chord or tab calls for. You are not going to get a very clean sound if your fingers are touching other strings. This can cause the string to become mute, and the sound will go completely array.

It will help to relax your fingers and hand when playing to create a good sound. Try this simple yet effective exercise: stretch your four playing fingers across the first four frets, using the thinnest (e) string. This will help your hands and fingers become relaxed, limber, and more flexible.

If you are going for that clean sound, remember is it all about your fingers and their placement on the fret. It doesn’t take much to bend the sound in the wrong direction. Mastering the skill will take some practice and a lot of dedication. The more you play the guitar and the more techniques you learn, the more you are going to grow and develop your skill. So remember to stretch those hands because the more flexible your fingers become, the easier it is going to be to play and switch from chord to chord. It takes time to get your fingers in shape; it even takes more time to master where your fingers should go on the strings and on the frets.