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I’m with “Mike” on this one. The four finger G just different. It became popular (lately) with the worship music crowd. Where the G C9 and Dsus chords become very simple if you lock the ring and pinkie on the 3rd fret of E and B strings.
G 320033
C9 X32033
Dsus x00233
I went to a church gathering where the “musicians” (and I use that term lightly) played every song in G, and with these chords as their only G C and D chords. Those constant D and G notes droning endlessly is not an “inspiring” sound. Easy group of chords to play, but not real C and D chord substitutes.
As far as the G goes, every note fits. G B D G D G. But the doubling of the D is definitely has a different feel to it than the normal doubling of the B note.
Used for effect…fine. used to mimic someone who used that chord shape for their signature sound…also fine. Just don’t learn them as your only G, C and D chords….not fine…. IMHO.
Would I encourage a beginner to get through a simple song this way? Yes…for a bit…but I’d explain what we are doing and why it is “cheating.” 🙂 Mainly I’d offer it if they were having trouble doing simple chord changes, AND I wanted them to work on a steady strum pattern. But again for short term lessons it’s a temporary concession to work on something else… like a strum pattern. For me any way, not a way of life.
Actually for ease in changing from a G to a C chord, I’d teach them to play the G chord without the index finger. Same chord shape, just start with the ring finger on the low G note. This makes the change to a “real” C chord simpler as the two low fingers move to the new strings as a pair.
Dave