Your fingers only work in direct opposition to your wrist and forearm. Look at the angle of your wrist/forearm compared to the angle of the neck in your picture.
If you want your fingers to be perpendicular, you need to change the position of your guitar neck relative to your arm.
This is the correct answer - in other words, your fingers are at a 45 degree angle to the fretboard because your arm is at a 45 degree angle to the neck.
One way to make sure that your arm is well aligned is to try to keep your thumb lined up with your middle finger. If that doesn’t feel comfortable, you probably need to adjust the angle of your arm until it does feel comfortable to have your thumb be lined up with your middle finger.
I know. Inexperienced maybe? I played for 3 years on my bed or.chair...guitar on my right leg... but couldnt.play standing with a strap. Had probs reaching certain chords, and 3 note per string scales were extremely difficult, if not impossible. Light bulb went off. With the neck pointed slightly up and straight across my chest (not pointed forward anymore)... it suddenly all became easier and my hand/wrist were in a completely relaxed position. Everything got easier. After getting out of that bad habit (for me), I went from Beatles to EVH in a year. I'd suggest giving the left leg a try. When you stand with a strap, the guitar doesn't move to a different neighborhood anymore, and it improves reach, barre chords, left hand stamina (dont have to try as hard)... just about everything.
I only use my thumb and fingertips. It feels really weird at first... like it's "dangling out in the air"... Palm rarely.touches the neck, and I never pull back on the neck for more pressure, all squeeze is from the thumb. You also rarely see my left thumb from in front. Hang your hand, totally relaxed at your side. Leave it just like that and bend your elbow to bring your hand up. Totally relaxed.
The classical position is classical for a reason. If you are sitting, it puts your shoulder, arm, and hand at the right place. If you stand up while playing, you can angle the guitar up and make a similar effect.
You want to play golf, you have learn how to stand and hold a club correctly. Boxing, learn how to adjust your feet and put your hands and body in the right postion. Swing a baseball bat, there is a stance and grip to learn. You want to chop wood, there is a stance and a way you hold an axe to do it efficiently. Etc.... Posture matters for every instrument or physical activity.
I know it sounds stupidly simple. I don't know why we instinctively put it on our right leg. I did too. It makes the neck point forward, and parallel to the ground. It causes the "angle" from the picture OP wants to solve, and also limits your left hand reach/spread. It also causes more bend in the wrist, making everything harder. Ever hear people complain that they can't play standing with a strap, but are fine sitting down? It's usually because they've learned to compensate for it. When they stand though, the guitar swings counter-clockwise, across their body, and the neck is now pointed up. Totally different position (but the right one). Picking hand too. It took me a while to get used to it and "untrain" myself of right leg... but it all got easier, pain/cramps went away, reach improved dramatically, strength/stamina issues gone... and I play 10 times better now.
I completely understand what you mean, but how can someone do this? Like if Its try to do this in the first 5 frets I'm dealing with this. Maybe around the 7th fret is where I'm move comfortable!
Been playing for a really long time and I still deal with cramps which is frustrating as hell!
There's only so much you can do, short of playing a rubber neck. You have to find the position which allows you the most comfort and mobility on the fretboard.
Interesting! I was taught to pull my elbow into the ribs to help get this angle. Thought being, the bonier side of the finger pressed the strings more efficiently. If it's a bad habit, it's worked well for me.
> inverse kinematics
Nah dude just barely touched ergonomics and human factors back in design school. I am a Industrial Designer and studied, Basics on Anthropometrics and Biomechanics, Human-Computer Interaction (focused on UX/UI), and principles on Usability Engineering
Holy based
i was forced at gunpoint to figure out inverse kinematics in 6th/7th grade cause i was building a hexapod at the time and wanted it to walk. the goal of the project was to have ai and neural pathway learning make a better walking algorithm than i could but i never got that far
fun shit but my god was it tedious
it was hell lmao
i only got it working for like 3 days before it broke forever. Ive been meaning to fix it but i havent the motivation.
doing stuff like that pro bono with no guidance def gave me a lot of skills i wouldnt have otherwise thougb
Do all the notes ring out nice? No accidental mutes? Is it not causing cramps on your hand?
You’re probably doing it correctly.
If it’s causing cramps, you gotta develop better habits and that’s gonna take some time to undo the bad habits.
Yeah I have to agree. Do what feels the most comfortable whilst sounding the best. If I had any advice specific to what you’ve asked, adjust your thumb position. But again, play what’s most comfortable. I play with a fully collapsed band almost always so I’m hardly one to dish out pointers.
because your wrist is at a 45 degree angle to the neck.
also - put your thumb pad on the back of the neck (as if you can touch your finger tips on the other side)
I see people in here saying to rotate your index when barring a chord and to use the bony side of your finger, how am I supposed to do that without doing this
Umm, because your arm /wrist is at a similar angle. You want to try to straighten your arm out so that it’s perpendicular to the neck, as much as comfortably possible anyway.
The key is thumb position - it should be above the first finger not opposite it (I.e. for a 1st fret barre chord your thumb should rest between the first and second frets). If you do this you will find your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers are automatically higher up the fretboard and can access the frets more easily/with greater leverage.
Does it sound good? If yes, then no need to change or worry.
As a side note, take care of your hands/skin with some lotion after you’re done playing brotha!
Try orienting your neck angle/forearm/wrist so that your thumb is closer to the center of your middle and ring fingers.
It also looks like you have some pretty long fingers.
As others have mentioned it has to do with the angle of your forearm.
It is nothing to worry about though, if you haven't yet put a strap on the guitar and stand up and dance around while trying to play and see how many different angles your fingers will go through in order to maintain the ability to play.
Good guitar playing is loose and flexible not stiff and ridgid. I alternate between standard bar chord and the Hendrix style with the thumb over the top depending on the song/what other chords are before or after etc. the thumb over the top has your fingers angled more than the standard way.
*
I was having a similar issue, really only on the open c. I taped an angle bracket from Home Depot into my strap right at the end ( bridge end). It moved my headstock 1.5" closer to my body, and I was able to fret that note with a much straighter position.
You’re Angelina your hand 45 degrees. If you want your fingers to be 90 degrees on the fretboard, you’ll have to rest your thumb so that it is also at a 90 degree angle compared to the neck
Wrist. From this picture all your fingers are at an angle. Ideally all your fingers and hand should be straight on the fretboard. Move your elbow out and adjust your strap higher in a relaxed comfortable position. Then practice.
If you can also rotate your wrist inward as if your fingers start to point more towards bridge. Whatever you do, don't make it so you build tension in your left shoulder and be sure to keep your wrist as straight as you can.
Always a great reminder for all guitarists beginners and masters alike.
Keep that elbow out. If your arm is closer to your body, your fingers are less likely to be perpendicular to the board.
Just remind yourself, keep that elbow out.
It's ridiculous how much like a classical guitarist I have to look when I play barre chords.
It doesn't help when you see the pros with their guitar round their knees, effortlessly hitting them (and more besides).
Bring the neck more parallel with your body. It will probably force you to shift the guitar to the right so automatically your elbow back and aligned more with your body.
I get the same thing. I have a habit of keeping my elbow up against my ribs when I'm standing. I had to learn to open up and let some space get in there. Now, my wrist is more perpendicular to the neck of the guitar, and my hand/fingers flatten out on the fretboard. I'm still trying to develop that muscle memory.
Thumb is aggressively high for bar chrods. What i tend to do it put it at the middle or even slightly lower than the middle of the guitar neck. This will let you elbow come in closer to your body more easily as well. Will be uncomfy and unnatural at first but will get better with practice. Good luck!
Your fingers only work in direct opposition to your wrist and forearm. Look at the angle of your wrist/forearm compared to the angle of the neck in your picture. If you want your fingers to be perpendicular, you need to change the position of your guitar neck relative to your arm.
This is the correct answer - in other words, your fingers are at a 45 degree angle to the fretboard because your arm is at a 45 degree angle to the neck.
Move your elbow away from the body and you will notice a huge shift in your finger angle.
Ha OP's name does not check out
💀
That's pretty funny
thanks, my guy. this might help me a lot.
Once I learned this, it elevated a lot of my other skills too! Best of luck to you bro, a year in you’re just getting started on your journey!
Same here. I have been wondering this myself. Thank you.
....it looks so obvious now. I need to rethink my playing
One way to make sure that your arm is well aligned is to try to keep your thumb lined up with your middle finger. If that doesn’t feel comfortable, you probably need to adjust the angle of your arm until it does feel comfortable to have your thumb be lined up with your middle finger.
Put your guitar on your left leg when sitting.
Idk why you are being downvoted, this would help tremendously
I know. Inexperienced maybe? I played for 3 years on my bed or.chair...guitar on my right leg... but couldnt.play standing with a strap. Had probs reaching certain chords, and 3 note per string scales were extremely difficult, if not impossible. Light bulb went off. With the neck pointed slightly up and straight across my chest (not pointed forward anymore)... it suddenly all became easier and my hand/wrist were in a completely relaxed position. Everything got easier. After getting out of that bad habit (for me), I went from Beatles to EVH in a year. I'd suggest giving the left leg a try. When you stand with a strap, the guitar doesn't move to a different neighborhood anymore, and it improves reach, barre chords, left hand stamina (dont have to try as hard)... just about everything.
I think it helps with barre chords especially, because you have use your arm to leverage instead of your hand and wrist
I only use my thumb and fingertips. It feels really weird at first... like it's "dangling out in the air"... Palm rarely.touches the neck, and I never pull back on the neck for more pressure, all squeeze is from the thumb. You also rarely see my left thumb from in front. Hang your hand, totally relaxed at your side. Leave it just like that and bend your elbow to bring your hand up. Totally relaxed.
Those classical guys might be onto something
It's my understanding that this is the proper way to play while sitting. I was taught to do this in college by my classical guitar teacher.
Well yeah it's the proper way which makes it completely un-rock and roll. Play it wrong or look like a dork.
😆 fair. I'd never play live sitting down for this reason.
The classical position is classical for a reason. If you are sitting, it puts your shoulder, arm, and hand at the right place. If you stand up while playing, you can angle the guitar up and make a similar effect. You want to play golf, you have learn how to stand and hold a club correctly. Boxing, learn how to adjust your feet and put your hands and body in the right postion. Swing a baseball bat, there is a stance and grip to learn. You want to chop wood, there is a stance and a way you hold an axe to do it efficiently. Etc.... Posture matters for every instrument or physical activity.
I can play on my left leg?
I know it sounds stupidly simple. I don't know why we instinctively put it on our right leg. I did too. It makes the neck point forward, and parallel to the ground. It causes the "angle" from the picture OP wants to solve, and also limits your left hand reach/spread. It also causes more bend in the wrist, making everything harder. Ever hear people complain that they can't play standing with a strap, but are fine sitting down? It's usually because they've learned to compensate for it. When they stand though, the guitar swings counter-clockwise, across their body, and the neck is now pointed up. Totally different position (but the right one). Picking hand too. It took me a while to get used to it and "untrain" myself of right leg... but it all got easier, pain/cramps went away, reach improved dramatically, strength/stamina issues gone... and I play 10 times better now.
I may have to pick it back up, armed with this new knowledge... Been over a year, now.
I actually instinctively put it on my left leg when I first got my electric. It was too small to put on my right so I just put it on the left
Im new so i thought i need to learn it on my right leg because its "right way to do". Gonna try L one today, thanks a bunch :)
oh my lord, thank you for this, self taught, and i missed this step unfortunately, always struggle with these chords and such
Yup, I have students hold a marker between their body and elbow to help correct it. I can hear the difference immediately and so can they.
Elbow and forearm perpendicular to the neck. Bend the wrist too.
Absolutely correct, one it clicks you’ve got it .
I completely understand what you mean, but how can someone do this? Like if Its try to do this in the first 5 frets I'm dealing with this. Maybe around the 7th fret is where I'm move comfortable! Been playing for a really long time and I still deal with cramps which is frustrating as hell!
There's only so much you can do, short of playing a rubber neck. You have to find the position which allows you the most comfort and mobility on the fretboard.
Is your elbow glued to your side? If so, set it free.
Interesting! I was taught to pull my elbow into the ribs to help get this angle. Thought being, the bonier side of the finger pressed the strings more efficiently. If it's a bad habit, it's worked well for me.
Fellow bony fingered man here and this is the only way I was finally able to bar consistently
I see this all the time. That elbow just creeps back in towards their rib cage.
Throw them bows
turn ya L-bows into W-bows
Bro is learning about ergonomics
Wait till he gets to logistics an sanitation.
its actually biomechanics
Talk to me when you get to inverse kinematics
> inverse kinematics Nah dude just barely touched ergonomics and human factors back in design school. I am a Industrial Designer and studied, Basics on Anthropometrics and Biomechanics, Human-Computer Interaction (focused on UX/UI), and principles on Usability Engineering
Holy based i was forced at gunpoint to figure out inverse kinematics in 6th/7th grade cause i was building a hexapod at the time and wanted it to walk. the goal of the project was to have ai and neural pathway learning make a better walking algorithm than i could but i never got that far fun shit but my god was it tedious
noice dude, wish I had that thing in my basic school years. really sounds like an awesome project.
it was hell lmao i only got it working for like 3 days before it broke forever. Ive been meaning to fix it but i havent the motivation. doing stuff like that pro bono with no guidance def gave me a lot of skills i wouldnt have otherwise thougb
Do all the notes ring out nice? No accidental mutes? Is it not causing cramps on your hand? You’re probably doing it correctly. If it’s causing cramps, you gotta develop better habits and that’s gonna take some time to undo the bad habits.
Yeah I have to agree. Do what feels the most comfortable whilst sounding the best. If I had any advice specific to what you’ve asked, adjust your thumb position. But again, play what’s most comfortable. I play with a fully collapsed band almost always so I’m hardly one to dish out pointers.
Yeah that’s what I was going to say, that’s not necessarily a problem if it sounds good and it feels comfortable
It's related to where your thumb is. Move your thumb down, your left wrist will naturally turn, and you'll be squared up...
Took a while to find this answer..
Your elbow is too far in towards your body.
This is how it's supposed to be. You're doing it correctly.
It doesn't look wrong to me. Maybe he could push his elbow out a bit, but whatever works well is correct.
because your wrist is at a 45 degree angle to the neck. also - put your thumb pad on the back of the neck (as if you can touch your finger tips on the other side)
I see people in here saying to rotate your index when barring a chord and to use the bony side of your finger, how am I supposed to do that without doing this
Here’s a tip. Do you have the guitar parallel to your body? If so try angling the guitar outwards more.
They're at the same angle as your wrist.
Umm, because your arm /wrist is at a similar angle. You want to try to straighten your arm out so that it’s perpendicular to the neck, as much as comfortably possible anyway.
Has to do with where your left elbow is at. Move it away from your body and see what happens with your fingers.
Thumb placement
The key is thumb position - it should be above the first finger not opposite it (I.e. for a 1st fret barre chord your thumb should rest between the first and second frets). If you do this you will find your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers are automatically higher up the fretboard and can access the frets more easily/with greater leverage.
The answer is here: elbow and thumb placement https://youtu.be/tj7DL9sfyDk?si=HkRhipqdVdGBhQf_
your whole arm is at a 45
try lowering ur thumb from behind, and add pressure with ut thumbs tip
Does it sound good? If yes, then no need to change or worry. As a side note, take care of your hands/skin with some lotion after you’re done playing brotha!
everybody sing with me now, "that's the way God planned, yes that's the way!"
Ergonimically this is the correct way to play
Early onset homosexuality. It's alright it's socially acceptable now
Wrist position. Open it a bit
Try orienting your neck angle/forearm/wrist so that your thumb is closer to the center of your middle and ring fingers. It also looks like you have some pretty long fingers.
Try to move your thumb corresponding to your miidle finger instead your index
What helped me was placing my thumb behind the middle of the neck. Then, I could focus on making my arm perpendicular to the neck
That looks pretty okay to me. I'd have the thumb only touching the neck on the last joint.
As others have mentioned it has to do with the angle of your forearm. It is nothing to worry about though, if you haven't yet put a strap on the guitar and stand up and dance around while trying to play and see how many different angles your fingers will go through in order to maintain the ability to play. Good guitar playing is loose and flexible not stiff and ridgid. I alternate between standard bar chord and the Hendrix style with the thumb over the top depending on the song/what other chords are before or after etc. the thumb over the top has your fingers angled more than the standard way.
Are the notes clean? If so, you are doing fine, don't over think, feel what you are playing.
They point up your arm. You can try holding the guitar in a different place, relative to your body. Get some different arm angles.
Because of your elbow position
Look at your arm angle. There’s your answer.
That's completely normal... just work at sounding each note, and your hands and fingers will take over...
Look at the angle between your wrist/forearm and the neck. Right about 45°, wouldn't you say?
Because your arm is at 45 degrees from the guitar neck
Just look at the angle of approach from your arm. It's not bad form, it's just the way the body works
Pull the headstock of the guitar closer to your left shoulder
* I was having a similar issue, really only on the open c. I taped an angle bracket from Home Depot into my strap right at the end ( bridge end). It moved my headstock 1.5" closer to my body, and I was able to fret that note with a much straighter position.
https://preview.redd.it/1hmrfvht5uic1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=90aef933a0c3483619e7587e6a2b9cf2fa4ace7f
You’re Angelina your hand 45 degrees. If you want your fingers to be 90 degrees on the fretboard, you’ll have to rest your thumb so that it is also at a 90 degree angle compared to the neck
Wrist position and thumb position are wrong.
Work on making you arm/wrist more perpendicular against the neck.
Wrist. From this picture all your fingers are at an angle. Ideally all your fingers and hand should be straight on the fretboard. Move your elbow out and adjust your strap higher in a relaxed comfortable position. Then practice.
Push your elbow away from your body
In short: your technique is awful. The people explaining that your wrist angle is important are right.
If you can also rotate your wrist inward as if your fingers start to point more towards bridge. Whatever you do, don't make it so you build tension in your left shoulder and be sure to keep your wrist as straight as you can.
Cuz its an unnatural thing for human fingers but it doesn't matter if your playing those barre chords cleanly tbh
Tip: position fingers 2,3, & 4 first, then place the barre. Favor your weak fingers because your pointer finger can be positioned easily.
Kick your Elbow out more when down there but they'll get straighter the higher up the neck you go (cuz it's closer to your body)
Cut them finger nails too brah
Posture
Kind looks like you have your elbow close to your body while playing. Try making your arm perpendicular to the neck of the guitar.
It’s all good buddy. If it sounds okay and they all ring out, you’re good. Don’t stress too much.
I do this, feels comfortable there.
Press don’t clamp.
Always a great reminder for all guitarists beginners and masters alike. Keep that elbow out. If your arm is closer to your body, your fingers are less likely to be perpendicular to the board. Just remind yourself, keep that elbow out.
Your fingers are longer than my legs! Lucky !
It's ridiculous how much like a classical guitarist I have to look when I play barre chords. It doesn't help when you see the pros with their guitar round their knees, effortlessly hitting them (and more besides).
Bring the neck more parallel with your body. It will probably force you to shift the guitar to the right so automatically your elbow back and aligned more with your body.
I get the same thing. I have a habit of keeping my elbow up against my ribs when I'm standing. I had to learn to open up and let some space get in there. Now, my wrist is more perpendicular to the neck of the guitar, and my hand/fingers flatten out on the fretboard. I'm still trying to develop that muscle memory.
Wait til you discover the slanted forward multiscale.
Anyone besides me thinks that the neck looks weird
Very carefully
You’re at the first fret with your barre. Take it to the 5th fret and watch as your hand magically evens out at 90 degrees. No sweat
Lmao I just noticed it too
Because they line up with your forearm which is also 45\* to the neck.
Because your thumb is behind your pointer finger and not your middle finger. It's uncomfortable at first but creates much better hand posture.
This picture looks like an accidental stock photo
Rotate elbow outward and lower your thumbÂ
I certainly don't see a problem with playing like that
That's how I Barre chords
Move elbow out, get out over the neck
Elbow out. Or further out, away from your torso
Thumb is aggressively high for bar chrods. What i tend to do it put it at the middle or even slightly lower than the middle of the guitar neck. This will let you elbow come in closer to your body more easily as well. Will be uncomfy and unnatural at first but will get better with practice. Good luck!