Increasing span

[Rizla]

How do you increase it? This is one thing that has never improved since I started playing. I have long kinda fingers too. Just something simple like
5-7-9
5-7-9
I use my third for the 7th fret for example, it still wants to go over to the 8th fret, and it is difficult to keep it there behind the fret, so modes and stuff with spacing like that, I avioded, because it's just annoyingly hard, and it never seemed to improve. If I used my second finger, it would want to go back to the 6th fret, it won't even go behind the 7th fret, it's just too far, an if I take it further down the board, it obviously becomes much harder. I watch some guys and they have fingers that can stretch to amazing lengths, what did they do in order to be able? Sometimes I just hold my fingers apart in certain positions and leave them there while I'm watching tv, to the point where it is obviously uncomfortable, but it still doesn't make a difference.

[keith_uk]

For a stretch like 5-7-9 i would use my second finger for the 7. Being a stronger finger it seems to work better than the third. Start much higher maybe, 10-12-14 and practice this stretch then move down one fret at a time untill you cant stretch anymore. Then you just need to do that exercise hundreds of times. lol. have fun

[Len H]

It also helps to keep the thumb of your fretting hand behind the neck, if it comes up over the top of the neck it brings your fingers together.

[Bizarro]

Practice! :)

I use my 2nd finger in most instances, except around the 8th to 12th frets. For some reason my ring finger works better there.

To increase my stretch, I'll play something slowly at a comfortable location (ex. 7th fret), and move down fret-by-fret over a period of a week or so until my hands can stretch out far enough. I take my time because I don't want to get injured.

I usually play standing up, so that's another challenge. Some things are really easy to play sitting down and hunched over the guitar, but it is really tough standing up. That's where my stretching routine comes into play! :)

[Crucifix]

Apparently Buckethead has got us all beat. :eek: ;) ;) ;)

http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/5383/exposedbuckethead6bi.jpg

[silent-storm]

I wish I had a 6 inch pinky finger

[DemonSorcerer]

How do you increase it? This is one thing that has never improved since I started playing. I have long kinda fingers too. Just something simple like
5-7-9
5-7-9
I use my third for the 7th fret for example, it still wants to go over to the 8th fret, and it is difficult to keep it there behind the fret, so modes and stuff with spacing like that, I avioded, because it's just annoyingly hard, and it never seemed to improve. If I used my second finger, it would want to go back to the 6th fret, it won't even go behind the 7th fret, it's just too far, an if I take it further down the board, it obviously becomes much harder. I watch some guys and they have fingers that can stretch to amazing lengths, what did they do in order to be able? Sometimes I just hold my fingers apart in certain positions and leave them there while I'm watching tv, to the point where it is obviously uncomfortable, but it still doesn't make a difference.

To me, the answer for that "span" problem is simple: 4 notes per string...if you finger an F major scale using 4 notes per string on the 6 strings, you'll be amazed at all the the fretboard you'll cover using that approach...another thing that may be helpful is....you don't need to keep your fingers anchored to the fretboard...in fact, you can lift them in order to reach far notes on the same string...for example if you wanna play an A and then an Eb on the E string, you don't have to keep your first finger on the 5th fret...instead, lift it and make the "jump" with your whole hand...hammer on the Eb INMMEDIATELY with your LH pinky...think about that...i've seen several guitarists doing that....including fusion masters like Allan Holdsworth and Brett Garsed...

David

[Wicked_Dreams]

Ah, it's easier than you think, just dedicate about 10 minutes a day...

After you warm up a bit, do The Worm (From cyberfret), be sure to do it slow, with different variations, on all strings (Not only the top 4, you should do the bottom 4 and the middle 4, you might even want to skip some strings), again, VARIETY is the key, be creative and try everything.

Another great exercise (Sort of similar, in a way) is the stretching exercise found in the beginning of Petrucci's Rock Discipline video.

Also, try those two exercises, but don't start on adjacent strings, start with all your fingers on the same strings, the move them up or down in groups (In ones, twos and threes), you can even apply that to scale patterns.

Remember, WARM UP FIRST, don't get over-board, and if it hurts you MUST stop.

It also helps a lot to stretch your wrists (very lightly) and your forearms and your thumbs (Check out Petrucci's video for those as well)

Just start high on the neck, put on the clean channel and make sure all the notes sound clear, you'll be *surprised* by the amount of progress you will make if you stick to it, good luck :)

[Rizla]

thanks