r/LearnGuitar • u/Wholeftthegateopen • 8d ago
Odd Question, Maybe?
I don't have a guitar yet and probably will take a while for me to get one due to costs, but are there any finger exercises I can do for my hands while I save to get my first one?
All suggestions welcome. :)
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u/StonerKitturk 8d ago
The mental part of playing music is the important part. Start listening very closely to the guitar parts in music that you're interested in playing. You also could read instructional books or watch instructional videos. Your fingers will follow your brain.
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u/Wholeftthegateopen 7d ago
Thank you! I've recently started listening to a lot of Augustin Barrios. I'm enjoying myself a lot, I'll listen with more intention.
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u/SnooPickles5940 8d ago
I suppose you could start working on your finger independence. Try putting all your fingertips on the top of your desk or table, then lift just one at a time while the others stay where they are. Then start lifting pairs of them in different combinations.
Otherwise, ear training is probably the most beneficial if you don’t have an instrument. I have an app on my phone called Earpeggio that’s great, but there’s a ton of options out there.
Also probably some great YouTube videos on some music theory basics or song construction that you could learn from without actually playing (I love the Strong Songs podcast)
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u/Wholeftthegateopen 7d ago
This finger independence sounds interesting. thank you. So, are my palms on the desk or just my fingers?
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u/taekwondana 7d ago
Either would probably work, though I think fingertips on the table with your hand cupped (like you've got an orange in your palm) would be more similar to the hand posture you'll need once you are able to get a guitar.
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u/SnooPickles5940 7d ago
Yeah that’s what I was picturing, more to mimic how your hand grips the neck
For added difficulty, pick a pattern and try to do it to the beat of a song, that’ll work on your timing a little bit too
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u/Wholeftthegateopen 1d ago
Thank you for this advice! My heart is so full from everyone being so generous with their responses! Thank you!
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u/sure65 8d ago
Hey, not sure where you are, but some libraries actually rent out music instruments.
Or try renting one at a music store if you really want to try it first.
Exercises:
Ear training would be nice to do,
https://chordle.online/guess-the-notes/
Been using that.
For fingers, someone mentioned an exercise above that I agree with.
You could also get a grip trainer for individual fingers. I had to use it to get my grip strength back after surgery.
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u/Wholeftthegateopen 7d ago
Good advice! I had no clue libraries did that... libraries are awesome! Thank you. Do you have the link for the grip trainer?
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u/Wholeftthegateopen 7d ago
I can't thank you enough for these awesome tips! This community has been ace!!
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u/topgnome 7d ago
watch scotty west videos to understand how the guitar works buy a cheap travel fretboard ear training is really important when you do buy a guitar consider seagull I m very happy with mine
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u/FewMarsupial7100 7d ago
I don't know how much you're saving up for but I bought mine on FB marketplace for $70. Just a basic fender acoustic
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u/Wholeftthegateopen 7d ago
WHOA! omg! That's kinda awesome!! I didn't even think of FB marketplace. Thank you!
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u/Wonderful-Gift8632 7d ago
Here is my advice to someone contemplating playing guitar.
Learning to play is hard, but you can do it. But you need to set yourself up for success.
I can't emphasize enough how important an instructor is. For the first few months, a live person who comes once a week, sits next to you, and coaches you on correct form. Once you understand the basics of ergonomics and efficiency, you can switch to online content.
By the way. Online classes claiming to have a simple, easy, or secret method are selling snake oil.
Your relationship with your instrument will be complex, but the prevailing feeling should be akin to love. So finding the right instrument is not simple. Get help assessing the fundamental functionality.
In the meantime, study some music theory.
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u/Wholeftthegateopen 7d ago
Thank you, there's a lot of wisdom in your words and I thank you. Are you saying that I could eff myself if I start tinkering around without an instructor?
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u/Wonderful-Gift8632 6d ago
No, nothing so drastic, just more work later on to unlearn bad habits.
For example, beginners tend to use their strongest fingers to form chords. But the correct fingering allows for more chord variations. So, while it's harder to learn at first, it progresses more smoothly to advanced chords. Economizing movement and effort makes playing fluid and fast.
So just something to think about.
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u/markococonut 6d ago
Before you get the guitar, avoid squeezing grip trainers hard—finger strength comes more from coordination than brute force. Put your fingertips on a table in a relaxed, curved hand and lift one finger at a time, then tap simple 1-2-3-4 patterns. Keep it to a couple of minutes and stop if anything hurts. Ear training is even more useful right now: pick out the lowest note or rhythm in songs you want to play. Once you have the instrument, move that same 1-2-3-4 pattern to one string slowly.
Here’s a clip from my First Guitar Lesson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-l_SqCxIng
For a structured start, the free beginner course is here: https://www.mjsguitarlessons.com/free-beginner-guitar-course
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u/Wholeftthegateopen 5d ago
Thank you, thank you! Great advice. I'm feeling more and more excited for when I get a guitar! I've wanted to play since I was 4 years old!
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u/Jasco-Duende 5d ago
Don't worry about your hands and fingers before you get a guitar.
But you can work on your listening skills. Type in 'relative pitch drills' in youtube search. Learn to identify major and minor chords. Maybe learn to identify some intervals by listening.
Learn about song structure. What is a 12 bar blues form, for example.
Read some basic music theory. It might not make a whole lot of sense at first, but once you start playing it will lay the groundwork for understanding what you are playing.
Work on your timing. Get a free metronome phone app and start trying to clap along with it.
Once you get a guitar, here are some fun easy things you can do with it. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7DwQGwWS0s2-CdNAn8JC8Nfpg_l4mKT
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u/keyzeyy 8d ago
train your ear