Finger position of G?

I play the G chord using my fore finger, middle, and index finger. My instructor plays it using his middle, index and pinky finger. He trys to get me to change to his way cause he says it's a quicker change to a few chords. I agree but I don't like that way and frankly, he's the only one I've ever seen play it that way. How do you play it?

I'd suggest playing what feels right...

Have no fear. That's what I'm gonna do. Just really curious if any of you play it his way.

Are you sure you got your teacher's fingering correct ? Usually, the alternate fingering for a G chord is pinky on G of high E string, middle on B of A string, ring on G of low E string. Learn BOTH ways to make the chord. The alternate chord form makes changing from and to C and F chords (among others) more efficient. Try switching from G7 to G and back using the traditional chords, then try the same switch with the alternate form. All you have to do with the alternate is raise and lower your pinky to go from G to G7 and vice versa. It may seem awkward at first, but in the long run it's an effective weapon for your arsenal.

Its your choice really. With the ring finger on the lowest string you can change between G and G7 easily but the way most people play it makes it easier to play G with an extra finger on the 'd' note on the second string which is used by alot of rock guitarists such as Dave Gilmour, Noel gallagher etc. Its all about choice.

[Edited by Led Zeppelin on 04-26-2002 at 06:09 PM]

It's the chords that my students have the most problem with... Since I have very long hands, I show them the way I play it, but I don't make them use my way... But what he has told you is right, his position makes it quicker to change from other chords, and of course you don't feel comfortable with it, since it's all new...

Depends on the song, I think I play it at least 3 different ways, probaly more, of course I have been known to cheat....

I never play the regular G anymore.
Now I only play the clapton-kinda-chord, where
you also pick a D on the B-string.
I just like it so much, and it suits in almost
every song that has G in so thats the one I play

I also recemend both ways of making the open G chord.
Plus the four fingered G ect.
Really the first time i seen anyone use the pinky on the
high E plus ring finger on the D note B string was when
i seen Gorden Lightfoot useing this style on a song
called (Sundown) plus L Skinner (Sweet home Alabama)
Later on the Eagles used this fingering alot .
I think this way of teaching came along in the early
70s .
Your teacher is right in a way for a quicker way of changeing to other chords like G to C ect .
But this way of making an Open G chord was'nt even put
in chord books untill after 1971.
You could say it has a twelve string sound to it.
Plus it could also have 2 chord names by useing that
kinda of fingering.(Because of the added note on the B string).I would say the Standard G Melody chord would
be the 3 fingererd G and not the 4 fingered one.
But i think its up to the teacher.
I think all 3 ways should be learned for other styles later on.(Why limit your self to one way of making an open G chord).

Mark

[Edited by skee1 on 04-26-2002 at 12:38 PM]

Personally I hate using the pinky.
Im not as strong in my pinky,
and I have much less accuracy than in my other fingers.
Then its supposed to be faster? Well maybe, maybe not,
I think that doesnt matter here. I asure you Im
just as fast as anyone that is using the pinky.
Its just a matter of training, to learn how to change the
chord so that you can do it in your sleep.
Im not saying pinky-way is worse, Im just saying that it really doesnt matter.
So your teacher can say what he want, its not a
big difference.

I have two ways that I play the G chord.
I play...

E A D G B E
3 2 0 0 3 3
With my middle on low E, index on A, ring on B, and pinky on high e, but most often I play a VERY unorthodox version like this.

E A D G B e
3 x 0 0 3 3
With my thumb on the low e and my middle finger barring the B and high e strings. This is really a G5 chord, but it works just like a G, and although people say it's easier to switch to a D chord from the first G I mentioned, it's a helluva lot easier to switch from my thumb-using G, even tohugh I'm "cheating" by using my thumb, according to classical technique.

320003 is the standard.

I believe Dylan played 32003x though(at least thats how I play his songs.