STILL STRUGGLING? How To Play a C Chord- BEGINNERS! 

Hey Colin, very happy to hear that this lesson helped!! All the best and thanks for watching!! bob

58 here, just started, c chord is a beast.

@@ChessemillPerezChristopher can you now do c chord?

@@ojsojs6004 kinda still muting strings. Occasionally I hit it. Lol I'll not give up, way too many songs with C

@@ChessemillPerezChristopher Occasionally is a good sign as it means progress. Yeah don't give up. Learning chords can take time. Try also doing some finger stretching it will help you.

Hi M Beth! So glad to hear that this lesson helped! Isn't it great when you can do something that seemed impossible before! Just goes to show that technique is everything with the guitar, not hand size. Can't thank you enough for the kind words. Got to say that you just made my night here!!! Hope you will check out some more of my beginner lessons here on this channel. All the best and thanks again! bob

Hey Karen, thank you for taking the lessons here and glad you found my channel. The C chord is the killer but it sounds like it's going well (I"m happy!!). If you need more help, just let me know. Happy pickin' and thanks again!! bob

Hi Shirley, great to hear from you and I am happy that this series helped you! This is not an easy chord so if you are able to get your fingers to stretch , you are doing great! All the best and happy holidays!! bob

nice

Hi wmaubill, great to hear from you and thank you for the kind words! I think it's a combo of the right student and right teacher thing as some have said I'm going too slow. But to me there's nothing more frustrating when I'm trying to follow along with something and they are leaving things out or assuming I know things that they don't mention. Anyway, glad you found my channel, and if you need any help, please let me know any time. Happy pickin' and all the best to you!! bob

Hi +Brenda Kopecky , thanks for commenting here and the nice complements. Glad to hear that the lessons are helping!!! bob

Acoustic Guitar Videos Lessons I'm actually in 6th grade taking guitar classes and I have a question does having small hands affect anything because my teacher which I'm almost gonna graduate level 1 of guitar class except he expects me to get the c and d very well and I'm quite good at.g and e minor but I have trouble trying to play stand by me since I don't know how to do c cord neither d very well I know where the place is for the finger but for some reason my figures are either in the way like in in front of the frets since the angle that I'm looking at is quite difficult since I have to keep my fingers without being flat and since I have small hands I can't really stretch my fingers out and I cutted my fingernails but something is still blocking me so what should I do?

figure sorry I ment fingers

Hey +Mathew Albuquerque , thank you for taking the lessons here and very happy to hear that you are playing the guitar. So I had many of the same problems that you are having when I first started (5 years old), and trying to play on a full sized guitar. What kind of guitar do you have, and may I ask if it is a smaller size guitar? This will make a world of difference when you are trying to play chords like the C chord... Please write back to me to let me know... Also, I may do a lesson this week about this topic... call it a check list of things you need to do to be able to play good sounding chords... bob!

Acoustic Guitar Videos Lessons Hello I know this video was a year ago but my second finger won't go on the a string and my guitar is a bit different mines a elevation 36 guitar and I'm having trouble I hope I can get help thanks!

Hey Keanne, great to hear from you and sorry that you are having some issues. I'm sure if I were in a room with you and you showed me what is wrong, I would be able to help. Not sure what an elevation 36 guitar is and not sure what the problem is with your second finger, unless you get into some more detail about it. I hope I can help!! bob!!

Hey David, sorry for the delay, but glad to hear that you are learning guitar. It takes a while to get good and recommend playing a little every day and trying to be consistent. Also here's another video that I think will help!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html thanks again David and hope all is well with you... bob~!

Cool to know there's a other 60 year old just learning .. just goes to show we're never too old !!😁

Hey +eileen stoecklin , wow,, great to see you here, and hope all is well with you! Some people have the worst time putting it on the right leg so you are not alone! I've got to do some more chord lessons cause we're going to start playing some songs that I'm adapting to easy fingerstyle and we need to learn more chords. Seems more planning than doing!!! Thanks for stopping by and hope you are learning some more guitar!!! bob!

Hi Celaine, yea, this chord is the killer for beginners. I've broken it down in sections to try to make it as easy as possible. Please let me know how you are doing with this and thanks for taking the lesson! bob

Well now I'm struggling big time w the D chord..but I have the C down. Thank you!

Thank you Steven for the kind words and I'm glad these lessons helped!! bob!

Hey David, big SORRY for the delay as I've been basically living at the hospital with my mom who has been here for the holidays. I think she will be out either tomorrow or the next day. Finally wised up and brought a computer here.. Anyway, thank you so much for the kind words and of course best news is that something in here helped you ... !!! So got to give this review 5 stars too!!!! All the best and please keep me posted with your progress... Happy New Year!! bob

God Bless you too and happy pickin' !!

Hey Super Jax, this is great news, so glad something in the lesson helped you!!! Keep me posted with your progress and happy pickin' !! bob

HI Laurie! Thank you so much for taking the lessons here, and I'm really glad it helped! I think the reason why I keep going over and over it again is hoping one little thing I say will be the thing that helps- this is one of the hardest chords. Please let me know how it goes and hope you will take some more lessons here, it's all beginner fingerpicking. Have a great guitar week and thanks again!! bob

Hi Katherine, those classical musicians .... that's how they play and it really works- wish I could take credit for the leg thing but I can't. Glad this helped!!! All the best! bob

Hi Laurie, I'm so glad you are here! This is a difficult chord even for people with big hands as well. It has more to do with the coordination and it's not easy. I have another video that I made after doing these lessons that will help too (maybe even more) because so many people were having problems: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0eNtyn783cc.html Any time you need help, just let me know okay!! Happy pickin' Laurie!! bob

thanks +Han Pointing .glad this helped! Hope you check out the courses here at this channel as well.

Hi +My Healing Journey (love your name). Glad I'm doing something right... thank you for the kind words. Yes, slow it the way to go so, you definitely have the right attitude. Please keep me posted with your progress and thanks for commenting here!! bob

Hi +Roque Fernandes - Thanks for the complement and great to have you here! Don't hesitate if you have any questions, or need help. Happy New Year! bob

Thank you Nirmala Marak- glad this helps with the C chord for you!! bob

Hey Smokey, great to hear from you and thanks for the comment- you have a great point about the C and F chord that I totally agree with... but out of all my videos I almost can't believe you landed on this one (the C and F chord gods have it out for you, ha ha). .. Try going here first and let me know what you think...!!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Z7xm_juNcPY.html All the best- bob

Hi Bob, this is one of the first things I learned. Thanks.

Thanks Smokey, there's a lot more on this channel (minus the C and F chord) ha ha!! bob

I agree... although this video has helped me so much to figure out how to get the reach/stretch with my short hands/fingers (re positioning and resting the guitar on left leg, etc)... I might get the chord to sound like C chord on first strum (albeit not clean), but if I try to strum a few beats I cannot maintain it. The beginner song I was trying to learn used G and C and the C nearly made me give up and think I just couldn't play guitar. Good to know it is one of the challenging open chords and I'm not alone! Thanks so much again for this video!

You have a valid point.....I bought this Song Book with a 101 songs and they were ALL C CHORD which yeah I can play it but not well.....I just go online and have been changing the chords and have been playing them in E or G much easier BUT YOU ARE GOING TO have to learn the C and F Chords evenutally so Play them in C every so often or pick one song and play it in C till you have it down. This Guys Videos are for people who have never picked up a Guitar.

Hey Steve, great to hear from you! Sounds like you and your daughters are having a good time learning. I'm glad to be a part of it! bob!

Hi Shivermetimbers, thank you for taking the lessons here and really happy they helped you. This C chord is difficult at first but once you get some reps in and use it in some songs, it's going to keep getting easier. Wishing you the best on your guitar!! bob

Hi Zzey, I'm glad this is helping.. C is a tough chord!! Have a great weekend!!

Hi Danielle, glad this helped!!!!

Hey +coxscomer, Extremely happy to hear that this helped and thanks for commenting here. This C chord series is still kind of buried in the searches- so we can blame the search engine gods for not putting this near the top (ha ha). Sounds like you are doing well on the guitar on other parts for only 5 months- I'm impressed! I'm probably going to do an F chord series soon- don't think it's as difficult as the C chord though. Thanks again! bob

Hi Sudip, I'm glad you found my channel. Hope you are having an easier time with the C chord which is difficult at first. Wishing you good guitar!!! bob

Thanks as always +indigo , Happy New Year to you!!!

Hey Joss, .. wow, what a nice complement- coming from someone that is learning the art of teaching, this means a lot. To be honest, I don't know the first thing about it!!! But I love when someone can play something I'm teaching. I guess that's my goal here. Wishing you good guitar (and teaching)!!! If you run into any good info, wouldn't mind hearing about it!!! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons well you have it down! You're very measured and patient, which is something I'm not the best at sometimes. Appreciate the reply and good luck with whatever you're doing in life. I'll make sure to let you know if I come across anything!

Thanks@@jossheaton6148 . I think the patience part comes with the guitar territory (got to have patience for that!) Yes, please let me know if you got any tips or tricks that you run into.. !! Have a great weekend!! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons will make sure to Bob. I've seen some really good Rick Beato videos - he is good at explaining stuff. But yeah, you have a good weekend too!

Hi +Jackie McNeel , You are welcome. Have a great New Years and hope next year is filled with a lot of good music coming from your guitar!!! bob

Hey Rock 1962, So glad that this worked for you! You wouldn't think that would make such a difference but it does... happy guitar 2021!! (lots of good C chords!) bob

Hey Mark, great to hear from you and best to you with the guitar. My channel is all about fingerstyle guitar, geared mostly to the beginner. It's different than strumming but a cool way to play. If you need help just let me know... All the best!! bob

Thanks Mr. Bob. I viewed your lesson 1 a few times and started trying to get the learn it your way. My finger tip is killing me at the moment, but will keep trying everyday. Glad that I founded your channel. Again, many thanks.

Hey Mark, yes, a little each day is all that's needed, especially for the fingertips. It will get easier once they toughen up. Glad you are here!! bob

Hey Trev, so glad you are learning with all the videos here. I don't have that many compared to others but hopefully I will get back soon.. hope all is well...!! bob

Hey Ernie, the C is a killer, but the positioning of the body and everything else helps. As time goes on, you will find that you can ease up on some of the rules, as long as your fingers are arched.

Hi Bidhan Chandra Roy, so happy to hear that the lessons have helped you.. If you could e mail me at Acousticguitarvideos@gmail.com, I will send you some courses I have and get you into my VIP guitar group. I try to help all my students here!!! All my courses are currently free... All the best and look forward to helping you!! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons hi Bob,glad to have an online tutor like you.Thanks a lot for your desire to help complete begginers like me❤️

@@bidhanry9740 You are most welcome! My very easiest fingerstyle beginner course is here: acousticguitarvideos.com/play-your-first-fingerstyle-song-in-60-minutes/ .. Join my free guitar vip group and then download the course. If you like fingerstyle guitar this is a great course... all the best and let me know if you need any help! bob

Hi Me2U, glad you are enjoying the lessons here and very happy to help!!! Hoping you will check out some more lessons here too!!! Happy weekend and thanks again!! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons 👍😀🙏

Hi +Black Phoenix , wow... great to hear from you and thank you for the kind words. Hoping you will pick an easy to play guitar, as there's nothing more frustrating for beginners than having to fight with a hard to play guitar. My best advice is to have a guitarist come with you to a music store and pick out something that plays easy. If you don't know anyone, ask at the guitar shop for assistance. If you need more help, please let me know - I'll walk you through. Thanks again and keep me posted. bob

Hey Seedubyu, great to hear from you and I am very happy that the lessons on the C helped you play this difficult chord. I too can't understand why someone would recommend to hold the neck level when that is the exact position that restricts your hand from stretching out. I wish I could take credit for this but it's a standard classical approach which is stressed by instructors world wide and the correct thing to do. I have another video you may be interested in as well ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html Now later on when your hand gets comfortable, the neck can start to go more level, but you may decide to just use the classical approach permanently, as this will always be a superior way to play (even though it doesn't look so cool- ha ha... All the best and happy pickin' !! bob

Hi Tatzme, thank you for taking the lesson and commenting here- it is much appreciated! Hopefully the C chord is a little less of a challenge after working through this series. This is always one of the worst chords because of the stretch. But after a while and if you are doing it often, you will notice that it is easier, just a matter of training your hands to go into the right place at the right time. Good luck and thanks again!! bob

Bob Harris Thank you for answering. It means a lot to me when the creator of the video responds to my comment. Yeah, I only started learning the guitar a few days ago, but I really like it. Currently, I'm only able to play the D, G and Am, but I hope to learn more soon, especially how to switch rapidly during the chords. This sort of videos with all of the explanations did make it a lot easier for me. So, thank you for making it. Have a nice day and thanks for being so motivating :)

Hi Tatzne, very happy to help... !! And WOW, you are learning at warp speed, that is amazing. it can take most people many months to be able to do what you have accomplished so quickly. (you must be talented :) This channel is geared to beginners who want to learn fingerpickiing guitar, so if you want to check that out, it would be great for you to learn a few of my beginner songs. Thanks again and continued success on that guitar!! bob

Hi Milan, thank you for the wonderful kind words and I am very happy to help you! Guitar is such a wonderful friend, I wouldn't know what I'd do without it- glad you are able to know this too!! Write me anytime if you need help or just want to let me know how it goes okay! Happy pickin' !! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Thanks Bob! Will be troubles for sure, and questions . hahaha. Best regards!!

@@milanradulovic3915 yes for sure! I will do my best to help you.. thanks again- bob!

Thank you , I like watching Bob Ross!

Hi Bomale , this is great news!! Wishing you happy guitar (and the C chord)!! bob

Hey Anne, great to see you here and glad you are still at it. The snail is okay!! I'm going very slow too with everything so no worries!! Thanks and great to hear from you!! bob

oh yeah I love it, started a part time job and loving the cool air in AZ now...good to hear you also...someday I will play like you ...lol even if I can get 2-3 songs I would be proud...I did it...I almost got the one...practicing C cord and switching cords...its comin ..:} thanks

Hi Anne, good luck with the new job! Glad the C chord is coming along as well. Wish you could get paid to play a C chord... right? ha ha... as usual, just great to hear from you! bob

Hi Carmen, wow, you are really taking a lot of lessons!!! GREAT!!! I'm glad this helped... this is an important chord that is in so many songs.. It's perhaps the hardest one for beginners (but it sounds like you are doing well with this!. Keep going!!! Hope all is well!!

IT is so true my bother I can play it alright🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗.

HEy Robert, great to hear from you and glad the C chord is a little easier now. !!! All the best and happy pickin' !! bob

Hey Robert, this is good news! Just a little each day to keep it in your memory banks will help a lot!!

Hi Tasha, great to have you here and really glad this helped!! Once your hand gets used to the position, you will find that you can ease up on a lot of the techniques, as it won't be as critical... Thanks!! bob!

Hi notfadedyet, I'm glad this helps!!!

Hi and thanks for taking the lesson and please don't give up!! Here's another video I just made- Please let me know if this helps? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ax_b2E5Or3U.html !! bob

Hi +Elaine Gomez - thanks for writing here and I'm happy to hear that the lessons are helping you play! Please keep me posted with your progress and of course if you need any help I'm here to help! Keep pickin' ! bob

Hi Elaine, well, I'm happy for you too!!! (big time)!! Very exciting to be on the other end of music rather than just listening!! Thanks for taking the lessons and hope you will contin

Hey Jason, thanks for taking the lesson- hope it helped! bob

Hi DGP, Here's another lesson that may help, and I made this after the C chord lessons. I think the problem you are describing is your fingers are not at the right angle still if you are not able to have all clear notes and touching other strings.. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html I think there's a few things in there that should help..but the key is to play on the fingertips and have them arched which it sounds like what you are not doing. The body positioning is key for this chord.. Let me know if anything here helps!! All the best and happy (unmuted) pickin! bob

Thanks +kb5vks - so great of you to comment... thanks for being here- and plan on a great New Years and lots of good music!!! bob

Hi Mohamed! Thank you, and very happy this helps!! Wishing you a great guitar weekend!!! bob

Hey Harold, Glad it was helpful- hope you are having some fun on the guitar.. I know that C chord can be a killer.. Here's another video that may help too that I made after this one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html I think this will help too if you run into chord issues.. All the best and happy pickin' !! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons You are a very good teacher.

@@harold8483 Thank you, I try!

Hi Kevin, glad the lesson helped!!! bob

Hey Stephanie, thanks for taking the lessons here and got to commend you for giving it your all with this C chord. Now I want to just let you know that there's a lot of music and songs that don't have a C chord in it, and I always suggest that you play and practice the stuff that is easy for you, and also include the hard stuff as well or when you have time. This way, you are not creating a road block for the entire world of guitar with just one chord. I have a technique that I've been working on for 3 or 4 years- still can't do it right and keep working on it but still playing and improving what I can do best. Here's a video that may also help with the C chord ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html With the classical approach, the C chord is definitely going to be easier, and the good news is once your hands are able to arch and stretch, you can ease up on all the stuff- or not. I say or not because for a lot of other guitar playing it is so helpful. Personally I missed how to do things the right way a long time ago, got into real bad habits and today am sorry that I didn't have someone slapping my hands or at least showing me easier ways of accomplishing things on the guitar (and not painful). If you are experiencing pain there's a good chance that you are not doing the technique(s). Recommend you just go through the steps to see if one or all the moves help. And yes, keep me posted- I'm fairly certain you will get this if you just take your time, and don't beat yourself up if you instantly don't get it. I personally experience improvements in 4- 6 months overall, and can get something smooth within a few weeks, depending on how difficult it is. All the best! bob

@@bobharris1497 Oh I know. Prior to actually sitting down with someone to teach me, I was avoiding that chord like the plague. I was using a cheat "C". But my coach is giving me the G, C, D & D7 to work on and wants me to hit the Root chord with the correct fingers then a Strum (RSS). I've only been at it for a week! I was really glad to see that I might have some improvements in 4-6 months, the price of these lessons are a small fortune but I have a goal and will do what I can to get to it! Any suggestions on how much practice is good?

Hi Stephanie, a little every day is better than a lot one day and then a lot of days off. Depending on how much time you have- 15 minutes, 20, 30 minutes... Focus on changing chords with the metronome at slow speeds. Set the metronome to the tempo where you can change the chords and then slowly bring it up a little each day. This will take the load off of your brain and give your hands muscle memory. The more you do, the easier it will get.. But if you are going to do long sessions, make sure to take some breaks. hope this helps! bob

LOL but that would work- very clever! Yea, I think once a person can play this chord they graduate to a new level. Hope you are having a good 2021 on your guitar! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Hi. I am just wondering what you teach regarding open chords. When I do open C or G chords, should I do the shape first then place all my fingers at the fret all at the same time? Or it is okay to place my first two fingers first or one at a time as long as I am fast at doing it?

Hey @@ojsojs6004 , this is a good question and all depends on where you've been and where you are about to go. For example, if there is an open string that you plucked as your last mote of the previous measure, you will have enough time to at least make sure to first press that C note 3 frets up on the 5th string (your root bass not and most important note of the chord). But sometimes and especially for strumming, you might not have as much time to form the chord 1 finger at a time. My best advise is to play along with a metronome at a very slow speed. The reason this is so important is the song will let you know how much time there is to change to that C chord- whether or not you have to press all 3 strings at once or can stager the pressing. Obviously at a faster speed/tempo, it's going to be less time for all fingers, so it's important to first get used to the song at a very slow speed. The metronome will actually help you with getting the chord changes smoothly as the goal is to always stay in time and "hit the mark". Kind of forces you to do the right thing.. I hope this helps OJS OJS- this is how I do it. bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Thank you for a detailed response. Wishing you the best.

@@ojsojs6004 I hope this helps! I'm also wishing you the best too!!

Very happy this helped!!

Hi Cher, it's funny but there's so many little things that make this chord easier and I'm glad you found the one that is making the C chord work for you. The tilting of the neck is a big one and definitely resting on the left leg helps with that. Happy C chord and hope you had a great weekend! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Thank you, Bob. Learning is a fun journey! Big smiles here. :)

@@cherpendarvis-studios I like this quote "Music is a journey, not a destination." (I don't know who wrote that but it's so true.. Happy pickin and chat soon!! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Thanks Bob, the quote puts a big smile on my face! "Music is a journey, not a destination." :)

@@cherpendarvis-studios thank you as always! Happy travels!!!

So glad this helped!!! Happy C chord and thanks for taking the lessons here!! bob

Thank you Nilce!!! Glad this helped!! bob

Hey Foster, thank you and glad the lesson helped!! All the best!!! bob

Hi Arshar, welcome, and I do understand the frustration... even after many years of playing, I still get upset about my guitar playing. With this C chord, work on it but also practice other songs on the guitar so it's not only the C chord. I have another video I made after this one that might help too: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html it's about body positioning which is going to totally help with the C chord. It's important to get a discipline with your guitar practice to get better results. Try to play every day for at least 15 minutes. More practice is better but you are better off spacing it out. I hope something here will help you... I'm here to help so please keep in touch... Don't give up, you can do it! bob

Hi Alba, thank you so much for taking the lessons here and it sounds to me like you are making great progress!! Let me know anytime how you are doing with it all, and if you need help let me know. !! Happy pickin' !! bob

Thank you GworX!! and good luck with the guitar building - how exciting!!! bob

Hey Dan, great to hear from you and happy new year 2020. So... humm.... wondering if this problem you are having with your fingertips on the C chord is happening with other chords (that is, what happens with an F Chord, G Chord or others)? Also, is it happening to all your fingers or just one of them? My guess (and this is only a guess) is that it's happening on your index finger more on the side of that finger. Let me know okay, I will do my best to help. The strap is a great idea and that will allow your neck to by naturally tilted up- light strings- great too + low action.. all good.. I'll wait to hear back from you with more detail.. Thanks Dan.... bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Hello, thanks for asking for details. I only know 4 chords so far (C,G,D,F) What I have found is. I have no problem holding down one single string with any finger. When I start adding another finger for the second and third strings of the cord I loose the holding power that I had when only holding a single string down, I have been told this is normal. I have some pretty good arthritis in my fretting hand (left hand). Exercise helps tremendously (dribbling the basketball is my favorite exercise) I am thinking that I simply need to develop more callouses, regain hand strength, stamina,flexibility. If there is anything to tell a person starting with acoustic guitar I would suggest telling them about hand issues and the stamina needed for the strumming part. OH, for certain posture and position of all body parts is so important. I am finding if I practice outside,away from other people I am more comfortable practicing as everyone says "play me a song" Well I am not there yet. Thanks so much.

Hey Dan, sorry for the delay as I don't get reply notifications and then find them later. Sounds to me like a few issues going on at once, the calluses and the hand strength like you are saying. I'm confident that if you just keep playing, both will improve. After playing too long, my hand will ache as well (left hand) both in the fingers, wrist, elbow and even the fingertips. I had a major injury- Here's some tips for keeping things working properly.. 1. Make sure you eat plenty of green leaf vegetables to get the B vitamins. 2. Ibuprofen for pain (this is personally what I have to do) 3. Playing every day for even just 5-10 minutes 4. Warm up slow, don't over-do it And I think the best exercise for playing the guitar is playing guitar. I've been told that some other things I do with my hand can be counter productive (I have difficulty cutting vegetables with a knife and that hurts my hand of all things). So for you just make sure that what you do doesn't interfere with guitar. But from what you are telling me, it really sounds like you know what you are doing very well and it's just a matter sometimes of working past the pain a little. Getting old doesn't help, will tell you that first hand- ha ha... Thanks Dan, I hope that something I wrote here will be of value... Happy Pickin' 2020- year of the guitar!! Keep me posted!! bob

Hi Ludvig, that's "Message in a Bottle" performed by Larry Maltz who also joins me here on this channel for lessons. Originally that was a song by "The Police" ..

Hi Zico, thank you again and glad these lessons helped! bob

Hi Raechelyn, very very happy to hear that this helped so much!!! I also have one more lesson on body positioning that is also a big help too...ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html some repeated material to here but perhaps some new stuff!! Happy pickin' !! thanks... bob

Acoustic Guitar Videos Lessons Yes... I will be watching your videos. 💙

@@raechelyndawn2580 Thanks again Raechelyn, have a great start to your week!! bob

Hey Phililpb, sorry for the delay as my mom recently passed away- now just getting back to all my e mails. Yea, main thing is to just take your time, do a little each day and the difference in a month or so will be great. Thanks again- happy pickin' !! bob

Sorry to hear that Bob.

Glad this helped!

Hey Marc, Ugh,,, my okay nervous twitch- can only imagine how I feel watching it myself and knowing I can't change it (kind of like closing McDonald's and reopening it with another name). I think you will be able to play a C chord if you take your time, and if you practice 10% as much as I say okay here..you will be performing in Carnegie Hall soon..... happy pickin' !! bob

You are welcome- glad this helped

Thank you Natale Christine for the hearts and wishing you all the best on your guitar❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤!

Hey Kylie, that is a great question. Yes, Here's a concept that will help you understand the fretboard a little better. So if I play a standard A chord (2 frets up on the 4th string, 2 frets up on the 3rd string, and 2 frets up on the 2nd string) and move all my fingers up 3 frets from there keeping the same exact chord position, those three notes now form a C chord. The problem is only the notes you are fretting will be a C chord. That's just one way to go up the neck for a C chord but, you have to be careful not to pluck the bottom 5th or 6th string. Sf you know an F chord (4 frets up, 4th string, 3 frets up 3rd string, 1 fret up 2nd string and 1 fret up 1st string (you are pressing down both 2nd and first string with index finger), www.google.com/search?q=standard+f+chord&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=SWOVtSSMLjbXbM%253A%252CtiUqRpBUsBG9JM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTePPIU40LGKTCiTHcIZ6VrsvQ37Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwje3ra6vfTkAhXllOAKHfTYAc8Q9QEwAHoECAYQBg#imgrc=SWOVtSSMLjbXbM: just take that position and move it up to the 8th fret (1st fret F, 2nd fret F#, 3rd fret G, 4th fret G#, 5th fretvA, 6th fret A#, 7th fret B, 8th fret C... that same position can do any major chord. I hope this helps!!

Hi GODDESS GOODNESS, thanks for taking the lesson here and wishing you a great 2021 on your guitar! bob

Hey James, you are so welcome!!! bob- happy pickin- okay!!

Wow, Sulkhman, that is great! Glad you found my channel and thanks for letting me know!! bob

Hey Mr Sinister, yea, this chord is by far the most difficult standard chord for beginners. Hope you are getting it!! bob

Hi Veronica, it's sure been a long time and it's great to hear from you! All is good here- still pickin' away.. hope everything is good with you..!!

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons I’m doing fine thanks. Just thought of you and remembered your kindness. 😍

​ @BonnyRoni Glad you are doing well! I'm of course still at it with my guitar.. wishing you all the best.

Hi +Robert Ellis , Thanks for commenting and sorry that this "difficult" chord is being difficult for you. I can go through the list here again and just to make sure you are doing all the things to get this chord right.. 1. Neck Tilted up 2. Fingers arched 3. Thumb in the correct position 4. Playing on the tips of your fingers 5. Guitar resting on left leg if 1, 2 and 3 and 4, don't work 6. Guitar strap to help with the tilt (if needed) Robert, normally people mute the 1st string with this chord (1st string being the thin string, I think that's what you are talking about. Try going back to just one string at a time, and the more you have to stretch, the more arched you have to be. Also, imagine holding a tennis ball with your left hand while trying the whole chord. There's got to be room so that your fingers can press down at a strait angle, and not coming in at 45 degrees if that makes sense. Let me know if any of this helps !!! I will keep trying to help you...

cheers bob think i know what i'm doing wrong now, was using the very tip of my finger right close to my nail if that makes sense and pushing down too hard on the fret. just adjusted my finger and pressure and seems to be working still a bit of rattle but at least i'm getting it to sound now thanks. You have helped massively with your lessons. I started playing guitar with a game on the PS4 called Rocksmith which helped alot but i've also learned that you get alot of bad habits from playing it too. I've had the game for a good few years now and have learned more of you in the past couple of months than i have in all the time i've had this game. So a BIG Thankyou to you.

Hi +Robert Ellis , had I just got a chance to see what you were doing wrong, could have solved it for you in minutes. This is the problem with video lessons like this, cause you may be doing something wrong and not getting any feedback. I think I'm going to start a Live Google Hangout that people can ask questions or get some help. Yes, been hearing a lot of people about the Rocksmith. Sounds like a cool program but again, like you say, bad habits etc., . Glad my lessons are helping. keep me posted!!!

Hi Deborah, great to hear from you and thank you for the kind words! So it might take a little effort and a few alterations but it can be accomplished with short fingers. I made another video but it is part of a new course that I'm not finished with yet and I'd like to send it to you- I think it will help! Please e mail me at acousticguitarvideos@gmail.com and I will send you the video privately. bob!

Hey Bacon Wizard, well that ain't good! Strings are cheap though so I hope you get one soon!!! All the best and wishing you well (and your guitar!!)... bob

Hey Joseph, thank you for taking the lesson here and sorry for the delay, as my mom recently passed away and now just getting back to it all. So what I will say is, perseverance and doing it over and over again- a little every day will make this happen. Try this lesson, you may also find this helpful. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html Also, the size of your fingers don't matter... one of the very best players I know has short fat fingers and he can move around the guitar neck faster than any aliens... (ha ha)... keep me posted, you will get this stuff if you just go slow and steady.... bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Yes you're right. No excuses. I see people with small hands play like a pro. Sorry about your mom. Horrible.

Thanks Joseph, I'll be making up some more excuses for some of the playing I've done lately.. ha ha...

Hey Pedro, congrats on the new guitar and thanks for taking the lesson here. No no, not late at all to play. I've known a few excellent professional musicians who started in their 20's... I started very young- made my first guitar album at 17 but after that, it took me another 12 years to become full time with music. I will say that I made it possible because I never gave up. Hope this helps! bob

Hey +Philip Pointon , great to have you here and glad the lessons helped! The guitar is not plugged in, just acoustic. I'm not even using a good mic or anything, just strait off the camera. At some point I'd like to make things a little better here, but for now I think okay.. Thanks again Philip... I have a d Chord Lesson available too.. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uK2KIzd19AY.html

Hey Doug, Yes, lot of advice with chord changing but I will try to keep this short and get you started. So first you need a metronome where you can adjust the tempo speed to play along with in time. This is step 1 and very important. You can find free metronomes online or as an app for ipad or iphone. Set the metronome on a very slow speed, say 40 beats per minute and take a song that has the chords you want get faster at changing and play along. If you can't change quick enough, than set the metronome even slower, but put it at a speed that you can change the chords smoothly. STAY THERE... and play this at the slow speed every day, till you can do it in your sleep. In fact, I recommend going even slower than you can do, almost uncomfortably slow (playing slow is more difficult than fast as you have to wait for the beat longer). When you got it down, then and only then start each day to move the metronome setting up, say 41 for a few days, then 42, 43, 44 and so on and so forth. Make a point to go back and start each lesson with the slowest of speeds, and then move up. Now if you go too fast by seeing how fast you can go without moving up in the increments like I have described, you will always have chord changing issues because you skipped the important process to get your hands to remember the movement(s).. Here's a video explaining the concept (this is how it's done). ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MQAl3PjFmlY.html hope some of this helps!! bob

Bob Harris thanks man ! I have not tried this.. totally makes sense !

It will work and since you are good with the chords, this is a big plus.

Hey Jack, yes, this chord is the #1 nightmare for beginners, but I'm really happy that this step by step one finger at a time method is helping you get it. One of the most difficult things to do at first is to stretch your fingers and the positioning is key to be able to do it correctly. But once your hand becomes acclimated, some of the positional techniques will not be as important. Continued good luck with this, and I hope you check out some of the other videos on my channel! Thanks!! bob

Hey Sax, hope this helped- we need this chord!!

ha ha.. Hey Ian, great to hear from you and I'm very happy that this video and the lesson helped! Also using a foot stool for your left foot really helps a lot too. At first playing this chord and others will seem like a struggle, and if you are missing even just one of the techniques, you can't play the chord. But as time goes by, you're gonna find that you don't need to obey the rules as much. Thanks for commenting and I hope you will check out my channel which is pretty much devoted to learning fingerstyle guitar for beginners. All the best- !! bob

Hey Greg, we made a crazy video with that song! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cSPikkyMwvs.html Larry Maltz who joined me on a few lessons here on this channel is the guitarist (great great player).

Hey Green, thank you for the kind words and to answer your question, so far I've shown an easy A chord (A5) and easy G and an Em. This can be found in Fingerpicking For Beginners (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Z7xm_juNcPY.html) which I don't know if you've taken that yet. I was thinking of doing the regular G, F and B at some point. Are there any chords that you are looking to learn? Thanks again Green, appreciate it!! bob

Thank you for the swift responses. I have done all 12 of those videos and recall those chords. Really enjoyed it. Yes, I think it would be nice if you did more chords. Perhaps, the full Em, A5 and G? And yeah, those other chords would be nice too. Cheers! EDIT: overall looking to learn beginner chords...the essential chords...

Hey Green, The most used chords are (in order of importance) G, C, D, Em, Am, A, E, B and F. I'll have to do teach this at some point!! Thanks Green, hope you are having some fun!! bob

Hey Gerry, just e mail me at acousticguitarvideos@gmail.com and I will send it to you!! Thanks, hope you are having fun!

Hi alsha, great to hear from you but I am sorry for your screaming fingertips and touching the E string..let's see if I can give some additional help here.. So with the fingertips hurting, you could be pressing too hard which is very common. Some of my personal students would have such a grip on the guitar that I needed 2 weightlifters and a crow bar to pry them away from the neck. So, relaxation is important, and only pressing hard enough to make the note sound clear is all that is needed- no more. If it still seems like you have to exert a lot of force to get a clean note, it could be that the strings are too heavy (recommend changing to extra light gauge strings- this will make it way easier to press and play.). Most times with this chord if you will need all of the technique elements working together, including the neck tilt. No tilt is probably causing your index finger to hit the E string. Tilting the neck forces your finger to arch... without arching, you will be touching that E string every time. Try resting your guitar on your left leg with the neck arched up... a foot stool for your left leg will also help. Keep your thumb in the right position... this all helps you play on the tips of your fingers. Back to the fingers hurting... playing 10 to 15 minutes a day rather than cramming it all in on the weekend is better for developing the calluses. I would play just a little past the point of pain, but certainly not the screaming level. Taking it slow and with repetition will also help your hands develop muscle memory. I have more, but try this first (hey, I should do a video on this ...ha ha.. I will tell you this in closing.. At some point you are going to get this chord and wonder what all the fuss was.. No kidding. Don't give up, but don't put so much pressure on yourself to get this immediately. This in my opinion is the most difficult of all the standard chords but you will get it if you relax, repeat and do just a little each day. Don't be afraid to go back to video 1 of this series and go through the process. The reward is so great when you get it and you will - if you take one small step at a time up the mountain (make sure to look around and enjoy the view (ha ha). Hope some of this will help you, I'm rooting for you!! bob!

Acoustic Guitar Videos Lessons Thanks for the reply and for the encouragement! I laughed out loud at the two weightlifters joke. I think I am pressing to hard! I'm going to go practice!

Hey aisha, no doubt in my mind that you are going to get this - especially with all the practicing you are doing!! Look forward to hearing from you again!

Hey Dan, you should be teaching! This is excellent advice as a lot of people just dart to the C chord because people tell them they need to learn that chord . In my fingerstyle lessons I start off with one fingered chords- since we don't have to strum through all the strings, we can isolate/pick only the notes that work. Unfortunately for the C chord, there's no getting around this chord in standard tuning due to that open B string. But the 1,4,5 of A (A D and E) is a lot easier and like you say, millions of songs.. Thanks, hope people will see your excellent comment!! bob

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Hey, Thanks (a bit embarrassed) One thing that helped tremendously (and no brag at all) I moved out of the FG830 into a Martin D16E. Never in any type job or work has the selection of a different tool helped so much I am pretty sure the same thing happens with Gibson and Taylor. One thing I did do for fretting hand strength was, dribbling the basketball. After (at times before each practice) I dribble with the left hand,5-10 minutes. Chord transition is so much easier with the Martin also. This is an activity (playing guitar) that will return what you put in. I have read other instructors say (in regards to chord progression) is just keep working through it, mistakes and all. That feeling you get when you string perhaps 12 bars together without a mistake is so inspiring. Thank You. Oh, I wanted to add. With the Martin purchase I get 3 .5 hour lessons. These will be my first lessons. I would really like to make once a week in person lessons a reality (4x30.00 ouch) It sure will be money well spent. I asked my future instructor what skills he wanted me to bring to the first lesson and his reply was "just yourself' I was expecting to be told to bring some music theory but that was not the case. The instructor did watch me when I tried out the Martin before purchase, he was grinning for some reason. I do not know where working people with kids find the time required. It would be a real sacrifice.

@@danr5105 Yea, the guitar makes a great difference for certain. Lots of the beginner guitars are especially not easy to play and need a set up - this is common with most guitars- the first thing I always have to do is get it set up for the way I play and, it may require a fret dress or a neck adjustment. When they send the guitars out, they are usually going to be on the high side of the action anyway. For beginners, lower is better and light or extra light gauge strings will help a lot. On another note, I am about to do a course on how to change chords and will info in it info that I didn't see in any of the lesson videos on this subject. Not sure why as it seems so simple.. I was using those hand strengthening grips years ago which is similar to the basketball thing you were doing- I think it helped. One of my music buddies said to me "why not just play the guitar." good point.. Cool about getting the in person guitar lessons... online is cool but in person is just better because you get to have personal interaction. This is the part about online that is not so good... Thank you Dan, really enjoy the conversation here- expecting you will be playing a lot of great guitar- if not today, well then tomorrow... All the best and chat again soon!! bob

Hi Angel! thank you for taking the lessons here and I'm excited that you are back to it after all this time! So the guitar you use can make a big difference, especially if the action is high like you are saying. One quick improvement would be to put some extra light gauge strings on that guitar, as pressing down won't be so difficult. Here's a video that I think will help a lot, I made this after this set of lessons . It has to do with body positioning. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html ... give this a try, and if you can do it all correctly, it will make the C chord (and everything else) a lot easier. Glad you won't surrender!!! Keep me posted and let me know if any of this helps!!! Happy guitar day tomorrow!!! bob

Thank you so much for taking time to reply.

Hi Christian, I'm going to give you a link here to another video that may help with this problem...ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ax_b2E5Or3U.html let me know if this helps!! bob

Hey Thomas, it's great to hear from you but I'm sorry that you are having trouble with the C Chord. There can be any number of reasons why you are having issue and would invite you to expound a little as to what is happening when you try to play the chord. The main reason why people have problems with this chord is the stretching and arching that has to happen at the same time. May I suggest another video... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html this may help but I would like to hear back from you as to what exactly is going on preventing you from playing the chord. We shall try to get you playing this chord! All the best and look forward to helping you... bob

Acoustic Guitar Videos Lessons Bob I have the arch issue the stretch issue and buzzing probably due t both of the other issues

Hey Thomas, so the link I sent you last night should really help. It's all about body positioning... Please try working the chord like this and let me know okay? Here's the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PAjXnxy1w6s.html bob here to help.

LOL... Someone ought to do a video titled "Play Like Van Halen in 13 minutes"

I meant in years. For at least very good.

Some people are just faster than others, mainly due to being able to play by ear as opposed to only being able to read music in order to play. Totally depends on the person. That's not to say that someone can get good or get the ear training. My buddy who plays in the Loggins and Messina band really had to work to get good, but he was able to outwork everyone else... and look where he is today.