Picture of my messed up G

Most of the others have already pointed out that your bent wrist is causing you a loss of dexterity... Im surprised you haven't experienced any pain in your wrist... If you continue to do this you may cause yourself some permanent damage.

I agree that angling your neck up at about 45 degrees will help...

Also, i'm not sure what sort of chord you're trying to make in your picture... looks like a G5 to me as greybeard already pointed out...

Here are a few examples of G chords played at the 3rd fret (6th string root):

Regular G Major Barre. (contains root, Major 3rd, 5th)

G5. This is the way i play it. (contains root, 5th and octave... ie. No 3rd)

G5 again (the way greybeard suggested). (contains same notes as G5 above)

Hope this helps.

Peace

J

In addition to the other tips in this thread... get your elbow out of your side!

I've had many, many students do that - cramping the elbow against your side may make you feel like you're getting more 'leverage' on the chord, but it also affects your hand angle - and I'm betting it's 90% of the knuckle separation you're experiencing.

That, combined with the neck angle/wrist position should make it much more comfortable.

Oh, I thought it was a G. The chord I am trying to play is this:

e x
A x
D x
G 5
B 5
E 3

I'll start practicing with my elbow out and wrist straight. But even doing that, the above chord is still really tough.

It is a G. Kinda sorta...

You've got you're strings listed upside down, but it looks like you're trying to play a G "power chord," which is also called "G5."

From high (thinnest) string to low (thickest):

E - X
B - X
G - X (or open)
D - 5
A - 5
E - 3

At least, that what it looks like from the photo you posted in the original post.

Peace

But the guy in the other pic is palying a barred G at the 3rd fret isn't he?
To play the G5 barre the three thickets strings at the 3rd fret with your 1st finger then bar the 4th and 5th strings at the 5 fret with your ring finger like in Jmin's 3rd pic above

I would start on the third fret like others have mention'

have you just tried placing your pinky and ring finger in the correct position, leaving your hand relaxed?

I'm sure with enough persistence you will figure it out, best of luck to you!

Jmin - that is a great set of pix, with the little green lines to show how the barre works. Cool!

Thanks Laz,

I've got too much time on my hands mate... :wink:

Peace

J