No matter how hard I try when playing the Eb7 and F7 chords my second finger on the fifth string will mute the 4th string if I try to reach my thumb to mute the 6th string. I have tried on various guitars with thinner and narrower necks to no avail.
It's fine if my thumb is level with top of neck, but as soon as i reach it far enough to mute 6th string the angle of my second finger mutes the 4th string.
Is there an alternate fingering that would work?
I am having a similar difficulty. I have been practicing this technique for a week now and i am struggling. I have exprimentwd with using fingers 2 3 and 4 for different chord shapes and it seems a bit more promising. the pinky always stays on rhe fourth string and that helps with the chord transition.
What do you think Tomo? is this a no no!? I know how much you care about just proper technique but this one is a struggle.
I've been trying for close to 3 weeks, every day. I just don't think it's going to happen.
imho using fingers 2,3,4 for this doesn't lend itself well for various reason, such as when you need to add extensions and similar/other R,3,7 chord shapes - so perhaps you persevere on to try to avoid that and i'm sure you'll find a way that works for you if you do
to use fingers 1,2,3, try to adjust the position in which you have your index finger - laying it flatter on the D string might help - you can even have the tip of it as far over as holding down the A/E string behind the second finger and joining up with the thumb coming over the next; hard to explain in words. the tip of the second finger can also move over to touch the low E string thereby making more space for the D string
I have been experimenting using the first finger to fret the 4th string while also muting other strings including the 5th and 6th. This seems to work. Not text book, but it helps..
i use the tip of my index finger resting on the low E string to mute it while fingering the Eb on the A string.
using form Tomo shows is really the only way, at least that is what I am finding. It's getting somewhat easier, I think that is the point of the exercise, just to persevere and get it right.
Rick, I have worked on things for weeks and even months without feeling like I was making any progress. Then one day realize, wow, it's working. Just hang in there, maybe work on it a few days, then take a few days off, then revisit. You'll get there.
Thanks for the encouragement Dale! I am finding that is correct!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Without chromatic exercise... this could be very hard!
Your hands are not made for guitar!
So if you learn any chord forms... easy one and not easy one!
1) First Practice Chromatic scale everyday for 90 days!
1212 3212 3432 1234 .... 4343 2343 2123 4321
Very important! No metronome!
Only 4th & 3rd string! This way your left hand thumb can be fixed! Place your left hand thumb around center of back of the neck!
2) Learn each R 3 7 form. So not even play blues form.
- Bb7 ( 6 X 6 7 X X = R X b7 M3 X X ) Fingerrings are 2 3 4 and use your 1st finger for muting all the strings.
- Eb7 ( X 6 5 6 X X = X R M3 b7 X ) Fingerings are 2 1 3 and watch my lesson video for how to mute.
3) Don't try any tempo first!
Movement is so important!
Down stroke all the strings and hole a pick super light as if you are about to drop a pick!)
Up Stroke (enter guitar body!) swing really big! Hit all the strings & mute by your keft hand.
...You can not learn songs immediately, because your fingers are not cooperating as you wish.
That's why you must prepare technical part first! This part is very hard to understand because it seems nothing to do with performance.
Hope my comment can help you!
It will take some times but please don't decide too fast!
You can do it!
It is tricky. For me with thumb muting the 6th string this happens. If index mutes strings 21 note on the 4th string is slightly muted by middle finger. If i correct that to get a clear sound on 4th string my index finger gets to a position such that it doesnt mute the 2nd string. And i have done a lot of chromatic like, finger control, finger strength exercises in the past 2 years. It is nuances but i still cant do it with everything properly muted and correct notes played clear.
It is a little hard to master this technique so if it is taking longer... don't worry!
Best way to do is not play a chord progression first. Thanks so much for sharing!
First learn each form I listed before ... 6th string root... 5th string root with suggested fingerings.
Super slowly...
For chromatic, try to make your fingers moving less distance & use less pressure.
Do this everyday!
Maybe check your guitar setups too.
I set my string height 2.00 mm at the 12th fret so that I have enough distance between the strings & the frets so I can control my muting technique.
Thank you.
I found tonight while pracicing that: a) when I press to strum those chords i need to get my middle and ring finger as parallel to the frets as possible to make the 4th string ring clearly b) for index to mute the problematic 2nd string the first knuckle on it needs to bend "outwards" i.e. opposite of its natural "inwards" bend (cant explain better, knuckle needs to go towards fretboard) and slightly rolled towards other fingers. Will see it this can become natural in the next few weeks. Or months :)
Thank you Silvije Domazet for sharing!
Getting better, these grips. Very slowly with micro adjustments every day. Very tricky but hopefully it will settle properly over time.
Good job!
This technique is super important for more sophisticated styles. Great for funk guitar!
Starting to get better with changes too. Hope I will get relatively good with these in a month or two.
Good job! You will enjoy them more!
Do practice more R 3 7 Swing Groove everyday!
10 - 15 minites... but do it everyday!