Hello, this is actually the third in a series of posts I made about my problems trying (and failing) to barre the first fret. Sorry for clutter
I've been struggling to barre the first fret on my uke, a Kala solid acacia concert, for a while. Many have suggested high nut action to be the issue, so I went to get my uke set up and have it lowered. It does make a difference, but the first fret is still very hard on my index finger, and it's eluding me. I know it's likely down to an issue of practice and building up finger strength at this point, but I have been working at it for a while without much progress...
Since barring gets harder the closer you are to the nut, it seems that other players who have the same issue build strength by barring their way up the fretboard (for example: 6544 Db --> 5433 C --> 4322 B --> 3211 Bb). However, I have hit a brick wall going from the second fret (which is very easy for me) to the first. I'm honestly perplexed that it's really that much harder.
Besides continuing to grind at it, is there anything that would help? I really don't want to end up hurting myself.
(My strings are Aquila Supernylgut and I've not tried any others, so I don't know how they compare in tension to what other players use... would lower tension strings help? And what are their advantages/disadvantages?)
I've been struggling to barre the first fret on my uke, a Kala solid acacia concert, for a while. Many have suggested high nut action to be the issue, so I went to get my uke set up and have it lowered. It does make a difference, but the first fret is still very hard on my index finger, and it's eluding me. I know it's likely down to an issue of practice and building up finger strength at this point, but I have been working at it for a while without much progress...
Since barring gets harder the closer you are to the nut, it seems that other players who have the same issue build strength by barring their way up the fretboard (for example: 6544 Db --> 5433 C --> 4322 B --> 3211 Bb). However, I have hit a brick wall going from the second fret (which is very easy for me) to the first. I'm honestly perplexed that it's really that much harder.
Besides continuing to grind at it, is there anything that would help? I really don't want to end up hurting myself.
(My strings are Aquila Supernylgut and I've not tried any others, so I don't know how they compare in tension to what other players use... would lower tension strings help? And what are their advantages/disadvantages?)
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