beginner re: chords

quone · 2009-10-15T17:29:55+00:00

Hi all, I am teaching myself electirc guitar (with internet support of course). Some "beginner" chords that I see involve strumming only 5 or 4 strings. Is there any trick or tip you can give me for this? It seems almost impossible to me to be strumming and only strum 4 or 5 strings...like especially on the "up-strum" how do I strum only 5 strings but then "pull away" at the last string before the pick hits it? Thanks for any advice. It's ok if all you can say is "practice" ? but as a beginner it seems tough...like all the strings are almost even!

chris77

He-he, relax Quone. Didnt see it as an insult at all! Besides, politicians and boybands normally deserves all the flak they get, and then some more! ? Glad to hear the playing is going well.

quone

So the G chord - I have seen it differently - in one book it says use fingers 2, 3, 4 and another it said 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3 is easier to me because it's hard to get my pinky down there. Are there like "standard" fingerings and if so, which one is "correct"? or do you just do whatever is easier, or does it vary based on where your fingers are "coming from" i.e. notes before and after? Thanks

Rudolf

From my experience there is no "correct" way to finger any chord to be honest. Your thinking about whatever's easier considering where you are coming from is indeed very correct. I've come up with some rather interesting ways to finger some chords due to the situation without even thinking about it.

There are some things vital however always and that is basic technique, hand position and how your fingers attack the strings. Pay attention to these things as you really don't want to get stuck with bad habits ever. Shortcuts are forgiven alot of times but just plain bad habbits, no!

I do suggest trying to get used to all ways you could possibly play a chord, it could come in rather handy alot of times. Some chords you'll see as you get into their whatchamaycallits like suspended versions and 7ths that some of them actually build and develope from the basig open chord. Point is some of them require a certain fingering to stupid easily get to the whatchamaycallits which is usually thrown in the middle of a rather quick progression.

[deleted]

or does it vary based on where your fingers are "coming from"

That's exactly it, although you also have to consider where you're going. I must say, I don't use either of those combinations, I use 2 1 4. Luckily the G chord is one of those chords that is fairly "independant". When you're playing A maj or min you might want to experiment with 1 2 3 or 2 3 4 depending on the chord before and after it.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Hey Quone - welcome... one way of getting there is by playing power chords, so you only hit the bottom two or three strings (the bass strings). This develops muscle memory for not strumming all strings, it can equally be done with chords like Open D - strum only the top (treble) three strings though. When you're comfortable with this try do only three strings of the middle strings. Muting skipped strings is tougher but you will get there.
By the way, this is the best forum on the net - compare to guitar.reddit.com where comparatively nothing happens 8)

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