-
4 finger “G” chord
I have always learned the “G” chord with 3 fingers; all my guitar books show 3 finger “G” chord. Where did the 4 finger “G” chord come from?
-
9 Replies
-
Hi @OC. – There are several ways to make the G chord, and it is personal preference and what sound you are looking for in a song that determines which to use. The 4 finger G chord is not new, it is just another way of playing a G.
-
I’m with you OC. I’ve been playing a 3 finger G for over 50 years now, the first tine I say a 4 finger G was when I joined TAC. After a year and a half now I can’t transition to a 4 finger G. I’ve tried but I always grab it with 3 fingers automatically. They both sound good enough for me.
-
Loraine & Mike, thank you for your reply.
-
This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by OC..
-
This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by
-
OC
Both have been around for years. “G” chord is made up of 3 notes – g, b & d. When you play the 4 finger G chord you have an extra d note in the chord. Both sounds great and it is normally personally preference.
-
The 4 finger is far better for switching between g and d as the ring finger stays planted. It also sounds fuller.
The 3 finger is easier for switching to and from g and c and is more of a folk or bluegrass style
-
crarod and That guy, thank you for your replys.
-
About the only thing I agree with in the comments you’ve gotten so far, @OC. is that it is personal preference. The 4 finger chord doesn’t sound fuller, it doesn’t sound better, it’s not easier in any situation. It simply sounds different. If you are trying to play a song where the original guitarists used the 4 finger G, you won’t get the “right” sound any other way. The Eagles, for instance, used that form of the G major chord a lot. And they used other chord forms that are easier to move to from the 4 finger chord. For instance, the G9. Start with the 4 finger G and move the index and middle down (toward the floor) 2 strings. Try making that chord from the 3 finger G.
The 3 finger G using the middle, ring and pinky is “the best” for being able to make a G7 or a Gmaj7 and going to the C chord or the version of the C chord where you move the index and middle down (toward the floor) one string but leave the pinky and ring where they are.
Obviously, you are going to have to learn several different ways to make a G chord to be a fully rounded guitar player.
MG 😀
-
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
-
Mike & acoustic Dave, thanks for the very thorough replies.
Log in to reply.