Fingers - Open vs Bar Chords

Hi, hopefully this makes sense. Say on an open E, I would use fingers 1,2,3. For a F Barre Cord, I would bar with finger 1 and then use fingers 2,3,4.

Since the strings and shape are the same - do folks simply play the open E using 2,3,4 all the time?

Thanks, John

Originally Posted by: john445

Hi, hopefully this makes sense. Say on an open E, I would use fingers 1,2,3. For a F Barre Cord, I would bar with finger 1 and then use fingers 2,3,4.

Since the strings and shape are the same - do folks simply play the open E using 2,3,4 all the time?

Thanks, John

John,

You will find there are many different fingerings for same chords. This is all based on comfort/chord progression/finger memory. For instance, I chord the Em 4 different ways, depending on previous/upcoming chords.

Hope this helps

Jon

Same for me as gogachachi.

For example, I typically play Amin with 1,2,3. (Same shape as your E, just rooted on the A string instead of the E string). Similarly, Bmin has the same shape as your F, also just rooted on A instead of E string, so the barre and 2,3,4. When playing Lyin' Eyes, the chorus has a spot that goes from Bmin to Amin. So in that case I just slide down the neck two frets to make the transition keeping 2,3,4 as the active fingers. It's all about the most efficient and best sounding transition.

I don't use 2,3,4 for the E or Amin in most circumstances because it is easier to transition quickly with 1,2,3. Others may find differently.

I'm a 1, 2, 3 kinda guy. It makes sense to use 2, 3 ,4 if your moving from that chord shape down to an open chord, but to hell with sense! 😄 Anything that doesn't involve pinky use is always best for me.

gogachachi is right. As you evolve as a guitarist, you will find uses for MANY chord shapes and locations. It is just 2 or 3 notes that are required to build a major or minor or power chord. Those note combos can be found all over the neck. Since you will be learning to play all over the nec, get used to finding chords every where. Limiting yourself a single chord form is to resign yourself to never getting past being a beginner.

Thank you all, great advice. I iike the idea fingering depends what the previous and next chord. As I progress will have to look at that as a beginner my fingers just go to certain shapes.

Originally Posted by: john445

Thank you all, great advice. I iike the idea fingering depends what the previous and next chord. As I progress will have to look at that as a beginner my fingers just go to certain shapes.

That is the sound of you making progress.