If your notes are ‘buzzing’ 🐝

  • First, make sure you are using the tip of your finger in order to more easily apply pressure and to avoid touching adjacent strings.

  • Second, make sure you’re applying enough pressure.

  • To find the right pressure, pluck the string while just gently touching the fret with your finger.

  • Keep plucking the string and add pressure little by little until you hear the note ring out clear.

If playing a note is really difficult 😤

  • It’s normal to feel this way at first. Over time, you’ll build up your grip strength.

  • However, it shouldn’t be incredibly difficult to play a note.

  • If you feel like you have to press your finger really hard on the string and it becomes painful, check on the position of your thumb.

  • Your thumb should be just on the opposite side of the neck as an anchor point that allows you to more easily apply pressure.

  • In general, when you feel tension in your fingers, hands, arms, or shoulders, shake them out for a moment and take a deep breath before you continue.

If you feel pain while playing 😖

  • Take a break and check your technique!

  • Pain can lead to injuries, which we always want to avoid.

  • If you feel sharp pain in your hands, forearm, or elsewhere, stop playing!

  • If you feel a bit of pain on your fingertips from pressing down the string, that’s quite normal.

  • Keep going but if it gets too uncomfortable, take it easy, don’t just push through. If you just play a little bit each day, you’ll be fine and your fingers will eventually get some calluses.

  • You can always reach out to us in the chat if you have specific questions.

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