Add group to favorites
Back to post list
Send new message to group Search:
Post Subject:
fingering for G major open chord question
fingering for G major open chord question
Hi everyone,
I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
1,2,3.
The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
I've been practicing using 2,3,4 with the open G chord by default and
no longer use the 1,2,3 fingering, but while that fingering (2,3,4)
does make it easier to move to certain chords, I'm wondering if using
1,2,3 would be better in certain circumstances.
For instance, the other day I was playing the song "spinning wheel",
and I was moving from the open D7 chord to the G chord.
I found it very difficult to make the "leap" up from the D7 to the
open G chord using the fingering 2,3,4.
What I mean is, when I''d transition from D7 to G using 2,3,4 for G as
is the fingering recommended by the book, I noticed that when making
that leap up from D7, when I planted my fingers down on the fretboard
for open G, the finger on the top string would tend to go kind of
flat..not much of a grip..in other words, I couldn't make all notes of
the G chord ring clearly because it was difficult to arch and grip the
fingers using that fingering when doing a leap up from that D7
chord. . What happened was that the finger on the top strong (6th
string) would tend to mute the note on the 5th. IOW, all the notes of
the chord would usually sound except for the note on the 5th.
To correct the problem, I've tried to better arch the thumb on the
back (in the way you would for a barre chord) so as to give the
fingering in question more gripping power, but....
My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
time?
thanks,
tysteel
Hi everyone,
I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
1,2,3.
The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
I've been practicing using 2,3,4 with the open G chord by default and
no longer use the 1,2,3 fingering, but while that fingering (2,3,4)
does make it easier to move to certain chords, I'm wondering if using
1,2,3 would be better in certain circumstances.
For instance, the other day I was playing the song "spinning wheel",
and I was moving from the open D7 chord to the G chord.
I found it very difficult to make the "leap" up from the D7 to the
open G chord using the fingering 2,3,4.
What I mean is, when I''d transition from D7 to G using 2,3,4 for G as
is the fingering recommended by the book, I noticed that when making
that leap up from D7, when I planted my fingers down on the fretboard
for open G, the finger on the top string would tend to go kind of
flat..not much of a grip..in other words, I couldn't make all notes of
the G chord ring clearly because it was difficult to arch and grip the
fingers using that fingering when doing a leap up from that D7
chord. . What happened was that the finger on the top strong (6th
string) would tend to mute the note on the 5th. IOW, all the notes of
the chord would usually sound except for the note on the 5th.
To correct the problem, I've tried to better arch the thumb on the
back (in the way you would for a barre chord) so as to give the
fingering in question more gripping power, but....
My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
time?
thanks,
tysteel
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
tysteel wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
> 1,2,3.
>
> The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
>
> I've been practicing using 2,3,4 with the open G chord by default and
> no longer use the 1,2,3 fingering, but while that fingering (2,3,4)
> does make it easier to move to certain chords, I'm wondering if using
> 1,2,3 would be better in certain circumstances.
>
> For instance, the other day I was playing the song "spinning wheel",
> and I was moving from the open D7 chord to the G chord.
>
> I found it very difficult to make the "leap" up from the D7 to the
> open G chord using the fingering 2,3,4.
>
> What I mean is, when I''d transition from D7 to G using 2,3,4 for G as
> is the fingering recommended by the book, I noticed that when making
> that leap up from D7, when I planted my fingers down on the fretboard
> for open G, the finger on the top string would tend to go kind of
> flat..not much of a grip..in other words, I couldn't make all notes of
> the G chord ring clearly because it was difficult to arch and grip the
> fingers using that fingering when doing a leap up from that D7
> chord. . What happened was that the finger on the top strong (6th
> string) would tend to mute the note on the 5th. IOW, all the notes of
> the chord would usually sound except for the note on the 5th.
>
> To correct the problem, I've tried to better arch the thumb on the
> back (in the way you would for a barre chord) so as to give the
> fingering in question more gripping power, but....
>
> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> time?
>
> thanks,
> tysteel
>
>
>
It all depends on your own playing style - after a bit, I learned to use
2-3-4 fingering for open E when changing from a sixth string rooted
("it's just a root 5 Cmaj" - just heard that on a Guitar World
instructional video a few days ago...) barre chord because it's easier
to just slide down the neck into an open E that way. Same sort of thing
would hold for the open G form using a CAGED style, I'd suppose. I just
haven't found the full open G form to be of much use in my style of
playing...
It also leaves my index finger free to do behind the nut bends after
getting to open E - I do those mostly on the sixth string - something I
seem to find myself doing of late between E to D changes...there's one
of those in "Breathe" and/or "Time" by Pink Floyd and that's where I
picked the trick up from.
--
- Rufus
tysteel wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
> 1,2,3.
>
> The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
>
> I've been practicing using 2,3,4 with the open G chord by default and
> no longer use the 1,2,3 fingering, but while that fingering (2,3,4)
> does make it easier to move to certain chords, I'm wondering if using
> 1,2,3 would be better in certain circumstances.
>
> For instance, the other day I was playing the song "spinning wheel",
> and I was moving from the open D7 chord to the G chord.
>
> I found it very difficult to make the "leap" up from the D7 to the
> open G chord using the fingering 2,3,4.
>
> What I mean is, when I''d transition from D7 to G using 2,3,4 for G as
> is the fingering recommended by the book, I noticed that when making
> that leap up from D7, when I planted my fingers down on the fretboard
> for open G, the finger on the top string would tend to go kind of
> flat..not much of a grip..in other words, I couldn't make all notes of
> the G chord ring clearly because it was difficult to arch and grip the
> fingers using that fingering when doing a leap up from that D7
> chord. . What happened was that the finger on the top strong (6th
> string) would tend to mute the note on the 5th. IOW, all the notes of
> the chord would usually sound except for the note on the 5th.
>
> To correct the problem, I've tried to better arch the thumb on the
> back (in the way you would for a barre chord) so as to give the
> fingering in question more gripping power, but....
>
> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> time?
>
> thanks,
> tysteel
>
>
>
It all depends on your own playing style - after a bit, I learned to use
2-3-4 fingering for open E when changing from a sixth string rooted
("it's just a root 5 Cmaj" - just heard that on a Guitar World
instructional video a few days ago...) barre chord because it's easier
to just slide down the neck into an open E that way. Same sort of thing
would hold for the open G form using a CAGED style, I'd suppose. I just
haven't found the full open G form to be of much use in my style of
playing...
It also leaves my index finger free to do behind the nut bends after
getting to open E - I do those mostly on the sixth string - something I
seem to find myself doing of late between E to D changes...there's one
of those in "Breathe" and/or "Time" by Pink Floyd and that's where I
picked the trick up from.
--
- Rufus
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
tysteel <tysteel3000@aol . com > wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
> 1,2,3.
>
> The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
>
> I've been practicing using 2,3,4 with the open G chord by default and
> no longer use the 1,2,3 fingering, but while that fingering (2,3,4)
> does make it easier to move to certain chords, I'm wondering if using
> 1,2,3 would be better in certain circumstances.
>
> For instance, the other day I was playing the song "spinning wheel",
> and I was moving from the open D7 chord to the G chord.
>
> I found it very difficult to make the "leap" up from the D7 to the
> open G chord using the fingering 2,3,4.
>
> What I mean is, when I''d transition from D7 to G using 2,3,4 for G as
> is the fingering recommended by the book, I noticed that when making
> that leap up from D7, when I planted my fingers down on the fretboard
> for open G, the finger on the top string would tend to go kind of
> flat..not much of a grip..in other words, I couldn't make all notes of
> the G chord ring clearly because it was difficult to arch and grip the
> fingers using that fingering when doing a leap up from that D7
> chord. . What happened was that the finger on the top strong (6th
> string) would tend to mute the note on the 5th. IOW, all the notes of
> the chord would usually sound except for the note on the 5th.
>
> To correct the problem, I've tried to better arch the thumb on the
> back (in the way you would for a barre chord) so as to give the
> fingering in question more gripping power, but....
>
> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> time?
>
> thanks,
> tysteel
My view is that you should learn and practice as many different
fingerings as possible. In time, you'll develop an intuitive sense as
to which form is best to use to transition to the next chord you'll be
playing or from the previous one.
tysteel <tysteel3000@aol . com > wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
> 1,2,3.
>
> The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
>
> I've been practicing using 2,3,4 with the open G chord by default and
> no longer use the 1,2,3 fingering, but while that fingering (2,3,4)
> does make it easier to move to certain chords, I'm wondering if using
> 1,2,3 would be better in certain circumstances.
>
> For instance, the other day I was playing the song "spinning wheel",
> and I was moving from the open D7 chord to the G chord.
>
> I found it very difficult to make the "leap" up from the D7 to the
> open G chord using the fingering 2,3,4.
>
> What I mean is, when I''d transition from D7 to G using 2,3,4 for G as
> is the fingering recommended by the book, I noticed that when making
> that leap up from D7, when I planted my fingers down on the fretboard
> for open G, the finger on the top string would tend to go kind of
> flat..not much of a grip..in other words, I couldn't make all notes of
> the G chord ring clearly because it was difficult to arch and grip the
> fingers using that fingering when doing a leap up from that D7
> chord. . What happened was that the finger on the top strong (6th
> string) would tend to mute the note on the 5th. IOW, all the notes of
> the chord would usually sound except for the note on the 5th.
>
> To correct the problem, I've tried to better arch the thumb on the
> back (in the way you would for a barre chord) so as to give the
> fingering in question more gripping power, but....
>
> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> time?
>
> thanks,
> tysteel
My view is that you should learn and practice as many different
fingerings as possible. In time, you'll develop an intuitive sense as
to which form is best to use to transition to the next chord you'll be
playing or from the previous one.
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
I remember many years ago, Jimi Page broke a finger on his left hand, in
the middle of a tour, and they had to postpone one or two shows until he
could "perfect his three finger technique" and then they resumed the tour.
RichL wrote:
>
> My view is that you should learn and practice as many different
> fingerings as possible. In time, you'll develop an intuitive sense as
> to which form is best to use to transition to the next chord you'll be
> playing or from the previous one.
>
>
I remember many years ago, Jimi Page broke a finger on his left hand, in
the middle of a tour, and they had to postpone one or two shows until he
could "perfect his three finger technique" and then they resumed the tour.
RichL wrote:
>
> My view is that you should learn and practice as many different
> fingerings as possible. In time, you'll develop an intuitive sense as
> to which form is best to use to transition to the next chord you'll be
> playing or from the previous one.
>
>
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
tysteel wrote:
> The book did acknowledge that while
> many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of
> greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since
> that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords
> such as the open C.
How would you feel about a driving instructor
that said -
"I know some people steer with their right
hand but it would be of greater benefit
for you to practice and prefer steering
with your left hand, so that you could
reach the radio and eat"
Learn the chord in as many different fingerings
as you can possibly think of. Even the really
weird looking fingerings. Just like driving
to the strip club, it's good to know many
routes.
Lumpy
In Your Ears for 40 Years
w w w .LumpyMusic . com
tysteel wrote:
> The book did acknowledge that while
> many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of
> greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since
> that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords
> such as the open C.
How would you feel about a driving instructor
that said -
"I know some people steer with their right
hand but it would be of greater benefit
for you to practice and prefer steering
with your left hand, so that you could
reach the radio and eat"
Learn the chord in as many different fingerings
as you can possibly think of. Even the really
weird looking fingerings. Just like driving
to the strip club, it's good to know many
routes.
Lumpy
In Your Ears for 40 Years
w w w .LumpyMusic . com
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
> 1,2,3.
I use all different fingerings and for me I end up using the one not listed,
1,2,3,4 G-chord. Basically it's 123 chord with the 3rd finger on high
D(second string), and 4th(pinky) on the high G string. This way, transition
from G to D chord gets much easier.
But I use all three in all different situations. Learn all you can.
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
> 1,2,3.
I use all different fingerings and for me I end up using the one not listed,
1,2,3,4 G-chord. Basically it's 123 chord with the 3rd finger on high
D(second string), and 4th(pinky) on the high G string. This way, transition
from G to D chord gets much easier.
But I use all three in all different situations. Learn all you can.
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
"tysteel" <tysteel3000@aol . com > wrote in message
news:35bdbe1f-8f6f-4b10-80f2-cfb6f6ed034a@x19g2000prg.googlegroups . com ...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
> 1,2,3.
>
> The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
>
> I've been practicing using 2,3,4 with the open G chord by default and
> no longer use the 1,2,3 fingering, but while that fingering (2,3,4)
> does make it easier to move to certain chords, I'm wondering if using
> 1,2,3 would be better in certain circumstances.
>
> For instance, the other day I was playing the song "spinning wheel",
> and I was moving from the open D7 chord to the G chord.
>
> I found it very difficult to make the "leap" up from the D7 to the
> open G chord using the fingering 2,3,4.
>
> What I mean is, when I''d transition from D7 to G using 2,3,4 for G as
> is the fingering recommended by the book, I noticed that when making
> that leap up from D7, when I planted my fingers down on the fretboard
> for open G, the finger on the top string would tend to go kind of
> flat..not much of a grip..in other words, I couldn't make all notes of
> the G chord ring clearly because it was difficult to arch and grip the
> fingers using that fingering when doing a leap up from that D7
> chord. . What happened was that the finger on the top strong (6th
> string) would tend to mute the note on the 5th. IOW, all the notes of
> the chord would usually sound except for the note on the 5th.
>
> To correct the problem, I've tried to better arch the thumb on the
> back (in the way you would for a barre chord) so as to give the
> fingering in question more gripping power, but....
>
> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> time?
>
> thanks,
> tysteel
>
>
>
I play acoustic fingerstyle, so for me it comes down to what I want the
spare finger to do in the way of playing notes added to the basic chord. For
example, I play a lot of bluesy sounds, so 1,2 and 4 allows 3 the play notes
like F, Bb and D on top of the chord.
Tony D
"tysteel" <tysteel3000@aol . com > wrote in message
news:35bdbe1f-8f6f-4b10-80f2-cfb6f6ed034a@x19g2000prg.googlegroups . com ...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using
> 1,2,3.
>
> The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
>
> I've been practicing using 2,3,4 with the open G chord by default and
> no longer use the 1,2,3 fingering, but while that fingering (2,3,4)
> does make it easier to move to certain chords, I'm wondering if using
> 1,2,3 would be better in certain circumstances.
>
> For instance, the other day I was playing the song "spinning wheel",
> and I was moving from the open D7 chord to the G chord.
>
> I found it very difficult to make the "leap" up from the D7 to the
> open G chord using the fingering 2,3,4.
>
> What I mean is, when I''d transition from D7 to G using 2,3,4 for G as
> is the fingering recommended by the book, I noticed that when making
> that leap up from D7, when I planted my fingers down on the fretboard
> for open G, the finger on the top string would tend to go kind of
> flat..not much of a grip..in other words, I couldn't make all notes of
> the G chord ring clearly because it was difficult to arch and grip the
> fingers using that fingering when doing a leap up from that D7
> chord. . What happened was that the finger on the top strong (6th
> string) would tend to mute the note on the 5th. IOW, all the notes of
> the chord would usually sound except for the note on the 5th.
>
> To correct the problem, I've tried to better arch the thumb on the
> back (in the way you would for a barre chord) so as to give the
> fingering in question more gripping power, but....
>
> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> time?
>
> thanks,
> tysteel
>
>
>
I play acoustic fingerstyle, so for me it comes down to what I want the
spare finger to do in the way of playing notes added to the basic chord. For
example, I play a lot of bluesy sounds, so 1,2 and 4 allows 3 the play notes
like F, Bb and D on top of the chord.
Tony D
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
tysteel wrote:
>
> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> time?
>
Both fingerings are perfectly valid and useful; use the one that works
best for you in each context. Knowing both gives you the choice.
As to moving from D7 to open G chord fingered 2-3-4, first get that
pinky down on the 1st string, third fret, and all other fingers off.
Then you have the top four strings to play in the meantime, giving you a
whole G chord and time to get those second and third fingers making the
shape they'll land in while in the air and heading for the fifth and
sixth strings. 5th string will come with practice. Take it slow at first.
--
Stephen
Ballina, Australia
tysteel wrote:
>
> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> time?
>
Both fingerings are perfectly valid and useful; use the one that works
best for you in each context. Knowing both gives you the choice.
As to moving from D7 to open G chord fingered 2-3-4, first get that
pinky down on the 1st string, third fret, and all other fingers off.
Then you have the top four strings to play in the meantime, giving you a
whole G chord and time to get those second and third fingers making the
shape they'll land in while in the air and heading for the fifth and
sixth strings. 5th string will come with practice. Take it slow at first.
--
Stephen
Ballina, Australia
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
On Apr 26, 7:33 pm, Stephen Calder <cald...@in . com .au> wrote:
> tysteel wrote:
>
> > My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> > using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> > keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> > should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> > when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 a=
nd
> > not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> > time?
>
> Both fingerings are perfectly valid and useful; use the one that works
> best for you in each context. Knowing both gives you the choice.
>
> As to moving from D7 to open G chord fingered 2-3-4, first get that
> pinky down on the 1st string, third fret, and all other fingers off.
> Then you have the top four strings to play in the meantime, giving you a
> whole G chord and time to get those second and third fingers making the
> shape they'll land in while in the air and heading for the fifth and
> sixth strings. 5th string will come with practice. Take it slow at first.
>
> --
> Stephen
> Ballina, Australia
Thank you to everyone for all the helpful replies. It is much
appreciated.
After reading your post I do have a question though as I'm wondering
if I've been practicing it right in the first place...
For example, if I'm playing open C major chord and moving to the open
G using the 2,3,4 fingering (as that would be easiest fingering in
terms of economy of motion) from what I deduced from your posting then
ought to be practicing moving from C to G by FIRST placing my pinky
finger on the 3rd fret (G note on 1st sring) and then moving the other
two fingers up?
To be honest, I haven't been doing that, at least, that's not how I've
practiced and learned it. Usually when moving from C to G, I move the
top two finger shape up, and then place the pinky finger down on the
3rd fret LAST.
Maybe I need to relearn doing it the other and place the pinky finger
down on the 3rd fret (1st string) first when playing a G open chord
when coming from C chord?
thanks,
tysteel
On Apr 26, 7:33 pm, Stephen Calder <cald...@in . com .au> wrote:
> tysteel wrote:
>
> > My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
> > using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
> > keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
> > should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
> > when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 a=
nd
> > not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
> > time?
>
> Both fingerings are perfectly valid and useful; use the one that works
> best for you in each context. Knowing both gives you the choice.
>
> As to moving from D7 to open G chord fingered 2-3-4, first get that
> pinky down on the 1st string, third fret, and all other fingers off.
> Then you have the top four strings to play in the meantime, giving you a
> whole G chord and time to get those second and third fingers making the
> shape they'll land in while in the air and heading for the fifth and
> sixth strings. 5th string will come with practice. Take it slow at first.
>
> --
> Stephen
> Ballina, Australia
Thank you to everyone for all the helpful replies. It is much
appreciated.
After reading your post I do have a question though as I'm wondering
if I've been practicing it right in the first place...
For example, if I'm playing open C major chord and moving to the open
G using the 2,3,4 fingering (as that would be easiest fingering in
terms of economy of motion) from what I deduced from your posting then
ought to be practicing moving from C to G by FIRST placing my pinky
finger on the 3rd fret (G note on 1st sring) and then moving the other
two fingers up?
To be honest, I haven't been doing that, at least, that's not how I've
practiced and learned it. Usually when moving from C to G, I move the
top two finger shape up, and then place the pinky finger down on the
3rd fret LAST.
Maybe I need to relearn doing it the other and place the pinky finger
down on the 3rd fret (1st string) first when playing a G open chord
when coming from C chord?
thanks,
tysteel
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
tysteel wrote:
> On Apr 26, 7:33 pm, Stephen Calder <cald...@in . com .au> wrote:
>> tysteel wrote:
>>
>>> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
>>> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
>>> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
>>> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
>>> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
>>> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
>>> time?
>> Both fingerings are perfectly valid and useful; use the one that works
>> best for you in each context. Knowing both gives you the choice.
>>
>> As to moving from D7 to open G chord fingered 2-3-4, first get that
>> pinky down on the 1st string, third fret, and all other fingers off.
>> Then you have the top four strings to play in the meantime, giving you a
>> whole G chord and time to get those second and third fingers making the
>> shape they'll land in while in the air and heading for the fifth and
>> sixth strings. 5th string will come with practice. Take it slow at first.
>>
>> --
>> Stephen
>> Ballina, Australia
>
> Thank you to everyone for all the helpful replies. It is much
> appreciated.
>
> After reading your post I do have a question though as I'm wondering
> if I've been practicing it right in the first place...
>
> For example, if I'm playing open C major chord and moving to the open
> G using the 2,3,4 fingering (as that would be easiest fingering in
> terms of economy of motion) from what I deduced from your posting then
> ought to be practicing moving from C to G by FIRST placing my pinky
> finger on the 3rd fret (G note on 1st sring) and then moving the other
> two fingers up?
>
> To be honest, I haven't been doing that, at least, that's not how I've
> practiced and learned it. Usually when moving from C to G, I move the
> top two finger shape up, and then place the pinky finger down on the
> 3rd fret LAST.
>
> Maybe I need to relearn doing it the other and place the pinky finger
> down on the 3rd fret (1st string) first when playing a G open chord
> when coming from C chord?
>
> thanks,
> tysteel
Ultimately, it all should happen in one quick, smooth action, as
unconscious as a manual gear shift when driving. Meanwhile, the ONLY
reason for getting the pinky to the fret first is to give you a chord to
play while you're getting the other two fingers in place. It gives you
one downbeat strum to get them there. Just don't play the bottom two
strings; the top four are still a full G chord. Soon you won't need the
extra time, you'll go right to it. You'll change from C to G and back
once every bar easily.
--
Stephen
Ballina, Australia
tysteel wrote:
> On Apr 26, 7:33 pm, Stephen Calder <cald...@in . com .au> wrote:
>> tysteel wrote:
>>
>>> My question to the group is, should I continue to practice G major
>>> using the fingering 2-3-4 when moving up from the open D7 and just
>>> keep practicing till I finally get it "right", or in this instance
>>> should I instead be using 1-2-3? How would you finger the G open
>>> when moving from an open D7? Or should I just keep using ,2,3,4 and
>>> not be concerned if the note on the 5th string doesn't sound all the
>>> time?
>> Both fingerings are perfectly valid and useful; use the one that works
>> best for you in each context. Knowing both gives you the choice.
>>
>> As to moving from D7 to open G chord fingered 2-3-4, first get that
>> pinky down on the 1st string, third fret, and all other fingers off.
>> Then you have the top four strings to play in the meantime, giving you a
>> whole G chord and time to get those second and third fingers making the
>> shape they'll land in while in the air and heading for the fifth and
>> sixth strings. 5th string will come with practice. Take it slow at first.
>>
>> --
>> Stephen
>> Ballina, Australia
>
> Thank you to everyone for all the helpful replies. It is much
> appreciated.
>
> After reading your post I do have a question though as I'm wondering
> if I've been practicing it right in the first place...
>
> For example, if I'm playing open C major chord and moving to the open
> G using the 2,3,4 fingering (as that would be easiest fingering in
> terms of economy of motion) from what I deduced from your posting then
> ought to be practicing moving from C to G by FIRST placing my pinky
> finger on the 3rd fret (G note on 1st sring) and then moving the other
> two fingers up?
>
> To be honest, I haven't been doing that, at least, that's not how I've
> practiced and learned it. Usually when moving from C to G, I move the
> top two finger shape up, and then place the pinky finger down on the
> 3rd fret LAST.
>
> Maybe I need to relearn doing it the other and place the pinky finger
> down on the 3rd fret (1st string) first when playing a G open chord
> when coming from C chord?
>
> thanks,
> tysteel
Ultimately, it all should happen in one quick, smooth action, as
unconscious as a manual gear shift when driving. Meanwhile, the ONLY
reason for getting the pinky to the fret first is to give you a chord to
play while you're getting the other two fingers in place. It gives you
one downbeat strum to get them there. Just don't play the bottom two
strings; the top four are still a full G chord. Soon you won't need the
extra time, you'll go right to it. You'll change from C to G and back
once every bar easily.
--
Stephen
Ballina, Australia
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:32:34 -0700, tysteel wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using 1,2,3.
As you have discovered, the person who wrote that book is an idiot.
Generally, learn the easiest fingering first, but there is no fingering
for a single chord, only for combinations. 214 is best to to to/from D7.
324 is best going to/from C.
daveA
--
email: darnold4@cox . net (put "poisonal" anywhere in subject)
DGT: The very best technical exercises for all guitarists:
* w w w .openguitar . com /dynamic.html. Original easy solos at:
* w w w .openguitar . com . :::=={_o) David Raleigh Arnold
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:32:34 -0700, tysteel wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a question to ask about fingering a G major open chord. For
> added background, I'm playing on an electric, not acoustic. .
>
> In one of the books I have, which I learned many initial guitar
> fingerings from, it recommends that G open chord is best fingered and
> practiced using the left hand fingers 2,3,4 as opposed to using 1,2,3.
As you have discovered, the person who wrote that book is an idiot.
Generally, learn the easiest fingering first, but there is no fingering
for a single chord, only for combinations. 214 is best to to to/from D7.
324 is best going to/from C.
daveA
--
email: darnold4@cox . net (put "poisonal" anywhere in subject)
DGT: The very best technical exercises for all guitarists:
* w w w .openguitar . com /dynamic.html. Original easy solos at:
* w w w .openguitar . com . :::=={_o) David Raleigh Arnold
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
"tysteel" <tysteel3000@aol . com > wrote in message
news:35bdbe1f-8f6f-4b10-80f2-cfb6f6ed034a@x19g2000prg.googlegroups . com ...
> The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
Yep sounds correct to me. So if you are starting, this way would not
hurt. I learned with 1,2,3 and have more urgent issues to pursue so I
will not be changing to 2,3,4 any time soon. But since you are just
learning, there is no reason to not give it (2,3,4) a try. You may
find you are just unable to do it. Like some people can do the Spock
salute and some cannot. As I recall when I tried 2,3,4 it was very
difficult if not impossible.
--
gcisko@hotmail . com
The Pentatonic Scale Explained
* bluechainlightning . net
"tysteel" <tysteel3000@aol . com > wrote in message
news:35bdbe1f-8f6f-4b10-80f2-cfb6f6ed034a@x19g2000prg.googlegroups . com ...
> The book did acknowledge that while many players often use the 1,2,3
> fingering by default, it would of greater benefit to practice and
> prefer 2,3, 4 by default.....since that would make it easier (economy
> of motion) in moving to other chords such as the open C.
Yep sounds correct to me. So if you are starting, this way would not
hurt. I learned with 1,2,3 and have more urgent issues to pursue so I
will not be changing to 2,3,4 any time soon. But since you are just
learning, there is no reason to not give it (2,3,4) a try. You may
find you are just unable to do it. Like some people can do the Spock
salute and some cannot. As I recall when I tried 2,3,4 it was very
difficult if not impossible.
--
gcisko@hotmail . com
The Pentatonic Scale Explained
* bluechainlightning . net
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
>
> Yep sounds correct to me. So if you are starting, this way would not
> hurt. I learned with 1,2,3 and have more urgent issues to pursue so I
> will not be changing to 2,3,4 any time soon. But since you are just
> learning, there is no reason to not give it (2,3,4) a try. You may
> find you are just unable to do it. Like some people can do the Spock
> salute and some cannot. As I recall when I tried 2,3,4 it was very
> difficult if not impossible.
the way desi teaches it on his sublime website and fantastic books and
information- and song-filled dvd's and on personal phone calls makes it very
easy.
give it a try.
always ask ourselves, when faced with any guitar challenge, How Would Desi
Do It.
gregg
>
> Yep sounds correct to me. So if you are starting, this way would not
> hurt. I learned with 1,2,3 and have more urgent issues to pursue so I
> will not be changing to 2,3,4 any time soon. But since you are just
> learning, there is no reason to not give it (2,3,4) a try. You may
> find you are just unable to do it. Like some people can do the Spock
> salute and some cannot. As I recall when I tried 2,3,4 it was very
> difficult if not impossible.
the way desi teaches it on his sublime website and fantastic books and
information- and song-filled dvd's and on personal phone calls makes it very
easy.
give it a try.
always ask ourselves, when faced with any guitar challenge, How Would Desi
Do It.
gregg
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
Figured I'd add my 2 cents.
I'm doing the G to C since I've been
learning Ring of Fire, figured
it was easy enough with just about 4 or 5
chord changes.
I'm using both fingerings, even though,
the 2,3,4 seems easier for me to go back to the C from.
I watched a good youtube video
on finger stretching and always do alot of warming up
with the 2,3,4 to get the pinky strength up.
Figured I'd add my 2 cents.
I'm doing the G to C since I've been
learning Ring of Fire, figured
it was easy enough with just about 4 or 5
chord changes.
I'm using both fingerings, even though,
the 2,3,4 seems easier for me to go back to the C from.
I watched a good youtube video
on finger stretching and always do alot of warming up
with the 2,3,4 to get the pinky strength up.
Re: fingering for G major open chord question
Thank you all for the helpful replies so far. I have one more
question to ask:
The songs I'm currently playing are simple rock songs, so what I'm
basically doing is fingering the chords on the fret board and
strumming them. At this point in my playing, I'm not adding any
color tones at the moment. Just simple triads. But when I get
better at it, I'm sure I will add more color in here and there when
appropriate.
According to the responses that I've received so far, I've been
instructed to learn and practice how to play the G major open chord
using many different fingerings.
Although at the moment, the main fingerings I could opt to use for the
the open G major are either 1,2,3 or 2,3,4 I'm sure that if and when
I begin to add other color tones and lines to my chordal playing, the
possibilities will open up and other fingerings will come into play.
I've noticed that 1,2,3 fingering has a better "grip" to it, however,
2,3,4 makes it easier to move to other chords than the other.
But since I'm just starting and playing simple chordals, should I
instead keep practicing and focus on using 2,3,4?
I've noticed that using 2,3,4 fingering for G major is an easy
transition to make when moving to or a C major chord or a G7.
However, like I said before, I've noticed more difficulty using that
fingering 2,3,4 (in getting the fingers up there grip wise and making
all the notes of the chord sound via the fret) when moving to and from
other chord forms, such as for instance D7 open chord or F chord.
1,2,3 or 1,2,4 fingering for G does seem to have a better grip ....
However, wouldn't it benefit me to keep practicing it as 2,3,4...so I
can get better at it? I thought there would be a long term benefit to
using 2,3,4 for G open and getting good enough at it so that I can
move to and from any other chord with that sort of fingering with
ease......
Then again, maybe I'm equating how I learned technique on the piano
too much with guitar, and that might not be the best way of looking at
it.
If you are playing simple triad chords, if you use 2,3,4 fingering for
the open G after coming from C major.....would you use that same
fingering on G when coming from another chord such as the F or a D
minor. Again, simple triads in very simple rock or folks songs, no
color tones.
thanx,
tysteel
Thank you all for the helpful replies so far. I have one more
question to ask:
The songs I'm currently playing are simple rock songs, so what I'm
basically doing is fingering the chords on the fret board and
strumming them. At this point in my playing, I'm not adding any
color tones at the moment. Just simple triads. But when I get
better at it, I'm sure I will add more color in here and there when
appropriate.
According to the responses that I've received so far, I've been
instructed to learn and practice how to play the G major open chord
using many different fingerings.
Although at the moment, the main fingerings I could opt to use for the
the open G major are either 1,2,3 or 2,3,4 I'm sure that if and when
I begin to add other color tones and lines to my chordal playing, the
possibilities will open up and other fingerings will come into play.
I've noticed that 1,2,3 fingering has a better "grip" to it, however,
2,3,4 makes it easier to move to other chords than the other.
But since I'm just starting and playing simple chordals, should I
instead keep practicing and focus on using 2,3,4?
I've noticed that using 2,3,4 fingering for G major is an easy
transition to make when moving to or a C major chord or a G7.
However, like I said before, I've noticed more difficulty using that
fingering 2,3,4 (in getting the fingers up there grip wise and making
all the notes of the chord sound via the fret) when moving to and from
other chord forms, such as for instance D7 open chord or F chord.
1,2,3 or 1,2,4 fingering for G does seem to have a better grip ....
However, wouldn't it benefit me to keep practicing it as 2,3,4...so I
can get better at it? I thought there would be a long term benefit to
using 2,3,4 for G open and getting good enough at it so that I can
move to and from any other chord with that sort of fingering with
ease......
Then again, maybe I'm equating how I learned technique on the piano
too much with guitar, and that might not be the best way of looking at
it.
If you are playing simple triad chords, if you use 2,3,4 fingering for
the open G after coming from C major.....would you use that same
fingering on G when coming from another chord such as the F or a D
minor. Again, simple triads in very simple rock or folks songs, no
color tones.
thanx,
tysteel
