[Allen Dobbs]

Advice on any exercises or process to train finger independence? Having a devil of a time with my left ring finger wanting to weigh in when I use my pinkie (e.g. Am7 where I inadvertently touch the B string). In my second serious week as a beginner and I am assuming there will be many more challenges with my other fingers as well.

Allen Dobbs

[Jonathan]

Hey Allen, the clean chords practice and the muscle memory practice will help overcome these challenges. Don’t get discouraged right away. It will take some time and consistent practice for your fingers to learn these new positions. But it will come as long as you don’t give up!

You can also play the Am7 without your pinky finger down, which is easier. But it may make your transitions more difficult, because you will have to place the pinky back down for whatever chord you go to next. Whichever is more comfortable for you.

You never fail until you quit!