Originally Posted by: asg27
I'm wondering why even bother fretting 4th/5th strings on the second fret if it's advisable to just hit strings 6, and then 3, 2, and 1. Shouldn't this song just be played with all open chords? What is gained by fretting strings you are instructed to avoid?

You could just play that chord with open strings, not fretting any notes at all. However, four things are gained.

1. As a beginner it's always better if you are fretting notes, holding down a chord. Using every opportunity to use your fingers!

2. If you accidentally hit one of those strings (even though you are supposed to avoid them), you'll still get the right sound; the sound of an E minor chord. If you don't fret those notes, the open A or D string notes are not part of the E minor chord.

3. Eventually you'll need to play more advanced material. You'll need to play another chord rght before or after that E minor chord. So it's simply more efficient if your fingers are already on the strings doing something, engaged in the process. It's better than holding your fingers off the strings all together.

4. On a more advanced level, there is a thing called sympathetic resonance or vibration. Any note or string you play is physically connected to the guitar & will make the entire rest of the guitar vibrate; other strings included. It is a subtle thing, but definitely has an effect. If you hold down the notes of a chord, but don't play all of them, the ones that you do not strike will slightly ring and make the sound a little fuller, or richer. Give it try both ways & see if you can notice the difference!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympathetic_resonance

Beyond that, I encourage you to ask Lisa directly in her instructor forum!

https://www.guitartricks.com/forum/threads.php?f=46

Best of success!