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The elusive G chord
Posted by riverjordan_61 on August 20, 2021 at 1:49 amI sat for 2 hours today trying to make a crisp G chord. I got a semi clean chord once and couldn’t get it again. Iwatched Tony over and over to no avail. Any ideas please.
Thanks Craig🧐
riverjordan_61 replied 3 years, 5 months ago 8 Members · 14 Replies -
14 Replies
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Let me guess? Is it Tony’s G chord which has you holding down the 1st and 2nd string? That’s a toughie. But, it is worth learning because I have run into it in a couple of songs. This is what I do. it might not be correct, but it works for me. Since those 2 strings are using the weaker of your fingers they probably aren’t perpendicular to the fretboard when holding the strings down. If they aren’t, you might be touching the adjoining strings causing a buzz. It takes practice (and pain). Good luck. I’d love to hear how other’s do this.
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Thanks Denise. You are right on. I’ll just persevere with it.
Not much fun at the moment though.
Thanks again. C😂raig
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Thanks John. I guess my 30 days to play might end up being 90 or more. But we are in Covid lockdown where I live in NSW Australia so I’ve got the time. I just need the patience and perseverance. 😷👍
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I know i posted a reply and added pictures. But for some reason I can’t see my reply. I hope it went through.
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Yes John It came through without photos. I don’t no where your comments disapeared to though.🤔
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Just a quick thought. Make sure your hand is forward so that your fingers curve and you get to place your fingertips only on the strings. My G makes my hand look contorted, so @Cadgirl is correct that the ring and pinky are not perpepndicular. My index is actually above the low e, because that keeps it from hitting the A string. There is a slight angle to my hand towards the headstock (allows fingers to rest correctly on the strings). The biggest help is keeping that wrist forward and the fingers curved though. Good luck with it. Hang in there, and you will get it.
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ha ha ha….. I couldn’t think of the right word for what your hand looks like when in that position, Yes, contorted!
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Are you trying to do the four finger G? For me that’s the hardest flavor, to the point where I’d even rather play the barre at fret three. 🤣 I much prefer the middle/ring/pinky version that Neil Young and others favor, even though I think the four finger does usually sound better. A couple of things that might help? Try the other two three finger shapes just to build strength in the weak fingers, and also try switching from D to G with the ring finger staying planted. If you want to use it in a song instead of just drilling it, check out “Hold on to Me” by Cowboy Junkies – that D/G switch is the main theme of the song, and it’s super satisfying when you can get the open D to just drone through the whole thing. 😁
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Thanks a bundle to you all Loraine, tailsawaggin and Cadgirl. The encouragement and tips are great.
I also have the problem of scrunching up the ring and pinky. I got bessed with fat and short fingers haha.😂
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I agree with tailsawaggin. As a skilled and accomplished guitarist told me once, “there is more than one way to play a chord.”
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This “full G” or “country G” is trouble at the beginning. I originally learned with fretting only the High E (3rd fret), A (2nd fret) and low E (3rd Fret). Note, the full G has more tone, and is very useful, and when practice has your fingers falling into place is a joy. The same is tru of the simpler version, that you will see a lot of players fret with the middle, ring and pinky (which has me feeling exactly as you described, at the moment).
Keep going @riverjordan_61 , it will come, but only if you decide you want to have fun with it.
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Thanks to all. I will keep going with it. Found a nice easy G chord though online.
Middle finger low E mute A and pinky on the high E and strum. Nice chord and easy but as I said I will keep going with the more difficult 4 finger version. I wish I didn’t have fat little fingers though Haha😂
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