Need help holding strings down on my guitar!!?

Question

Im trying to learn how to play accoustic guitar and the strings are killing me! it takes all my strengh to hold them down and play the chord-and only half the time does the chord actually sound ok!! Can your strings get to old and maybe thats why??

Any suggestions welcome i reallllyyyy wanna learn!!

thx,

Ricky =)

Answer 1

Yes, old strings can be harder to hold down.  However my bet is that you are struggling with a guitar that has a high action.  This means that there is a large gap between the sting and the fretboard.  At no point on the fretboard should your strings be more than 1/8" from the fretboard.  A good guitar will have less than 1/8" gap.

On another note...learning to play the guitar is not something you do in few weeks...and pain is part of the process. Your callouses will grow....Find a good axe, put new strings on it and bear down!

Go Ricky !

Answer 2

Acoustic guitars usually have heavier guage strings than electrics, so you might want to restring with lighter guage strings (high e string- .009).  That being said, when you first start out it is hard as h**l! You are not used to using your fingers this way.  When making chords, try to keep fingers curved; don't let them lean and touch the other strings.  Also, keep your thumb down (don't drape it over the top of the neck).  This keeps you from keeping your fingers curved and makes it harder to reach.  I have also found that putting a capo on the strings helps to take some of tension, making it easier to hold down the strings.  I hope this helps.  Good luck and don't give up.

Answer 3

well there are a few things you can do. First and foremost I would get a lighter gauge of strings - that will help a ton. Just make sure on the new strings you buy that the lightest string's gauge is .01 - probably right now you have .012. Any ways it will make it much easier to play andd in my opinion it gives you a better tone. even if you stay with your current strings, you will build up finger strength pretty quick and it will become easier to play. also you can buy a thing called a "gripmaster" it's just a finger excersiser, just look it up on like guitarcenter.com. Anyways get better strings that will solve your problem. good luck

Answer 4

it could be that your strings are old. i suggest getting light gauge electric strings & putting them on your acoustic. electric strings are 'softer' than acoustic. if that's still too hard, try tuning down a step, it makes the strings looser. once your fingers are stronger, you can tune up to standard or put acoustic strings on.