So I just began learning guitar yesterday. Borrowed a book called "Music Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist." I actually rather like the book. Well laid-out, in English, etc, etc.

What is killing me is these CONTORTIONS it is requesting my hand to perform. Am I correct that for a G-note, my second finger is on the second fret of the fifth string, my third finger is on the third fret of the sixth string and my fouth finger -- my PINKIE, the weakling of the bunch -- is to be placed on the third fret of the first string? Seriously? It takes me a good ten seconds to move from one note to the next. And not without pain and unintentional finger cramping and neighbor string muffling.

I`m beginning to think that either (a) I have something seriously misunderstood or (b) this isn`t for me. Which would be a shame because I`ve always wanted to learn. And I have never been noted to have large hands or large fingers or anything.

Help?

Thanks,
Jason

for the G-chord ur fingers should be like this

ur ur ring finger should be on the 3rd fret on the high pitch string
ur middle finger should be on the 3rd fret on the lower pitched string
and ur index finger should be on the 2nd fret on the string below the lower pichted string.
E----3----------------I
A----2----------------I
D---------------------I
G---------------------I
B---------------------I
E----3----------------I

I hope this helps.

I understand you. For beginners it is very hard to go straight away into the full g chord. The more and more experienced you get, the more you practice basically, the more your hand and fingers adjust and get acustomed with to the guitar.

For a beginner I`ve always thought its a bit tough playing the G chord so try just holding down the high E string on the 3rd fret with your ring finger and only dtrum the top 4 strings. Ignore the lower, bass notes for now and get used to changing from chords to chords (like from d to g is a common change).

Eventually, your fingers will learn their way around the fretboard but until then, just keep trying.

Just topoint out eventually people really should hold down both the high E AND B strings down on the 3d fret, this gives a much nicer chord with more depth and makes an easier change from G to D etc. But if your not comfortable with a normal G chord, DONT try this because it uses all 4 of your fingers and that isnt really waht a beginner needs now is it?

To make it more clear:

Normal G Chord:
E-3-
B-0-
G-0-
D-0-
A-2-
E-3-

G Chord Without Bass Notes (Try This):
E-3-
B-0-
G-0-
D-0-
A---
E---

My G Chord (and Oasis etc.):
E-3-
B-3-
G-0-
D-0-
A-2-
E-3-

and yes, I too have very, very large hands...