-
Playing barre fingerings “open”
An observation, and questions, after going through Friday’s E minor key chord challenge.
I noticed it is easier to play the B minor barre if you play the open A minor using the middle, ring, and pinkie—the fingers you naturally use in the A-shape barre—instead of the usual index, middle, ring. So that prompted me to try the same with the open E, and it seemed quite easy to slide right into the E-shape barre as well. (The other shapes are much harder to play open, but they’re harder anyway.)
So… anything wrong with this? If not, why not teach these finger positions right off for the open chords, knowing the barre chords are coming? Is it just the expectation that a beginner’s pinkie is too weak? Or just tradition? Or is there some major advantage to using the index in open chords?
Serious inquiry. Thanks!
-
7 Replies
-
What does “private” mean? Is this the right place for this question? If not, what is the appropriate subforum?
-
I’ve noticed the same thing, and sometimes I do that to make the transition easier. I *think* the index/ring/middle are more commonly used because that leaves the pinky open to fret/hammer-on/pull-off to add embellishments.
-
Thanks, that makes sense!
-
-
If you use the Index way for open chords, you then have the pinky available to fret with on variations of the chord. It’s only really the E Major and A minor we are talking about.
Not using Index for open chords can be a good way to practice getting used to the E-shaped barre chord shape though.
🙂
-M
-
Thanks!
-
-
The truth? You want to do both. Every guitar player, as they make advancement, ends up learning several ways to play the same chord. And there are many reasons to play both ways. @Michael-K73 already mentioned using your pinky to fret other notes when playing open chords. Well, you can fret different notes with the index if you use your middle, ring and pinky for the open chords. The better your fretting hand gets, the less difference it makes how you fret any given chord. What will matter is what is best for the song/ progression your playing. 😃
-
Thanks! All these replies make sense… embrace the power of “and”!
-
Log in to reply.