Originally Posted by: anna.reevesHi guys.
I am really struggling with the G chord! I want to use the 3, 4 and 5th (pinky) fingers as it's so much easier to switch to the C chord, but my pinky is so weak and tends to lay on its side, so the sound I create when I switch from the G to the C is so disgusting, that I want to quit!
Could anybody help me with any tips?
I would be ever so grateful!
Hi Anna, welcome!
My advice is to practice getting that change down with 'standard' fingering. It's not an easy answer but in the long run, will serve you well. While there are versions of the open G chord that use fingers 4 and 5 on the lower strings, if your doing a standard G (6th string/3rd fret, 5th string/2nd fret, 1st string/3rd fret), then it's best to learn using your fingers 1, 2 and 4.
A few months ago, I had a wrist injury (sprained but not super-terrible) and I had to learn the Eagle's 'Lyin' Eyes' which has a G-to-C change. My wrist injury was to the outside of my wrist and definately affected my pinky strength. It still does. My pinky is still not totally up to its previous ability. Granted, the chording/fingering I use adds additional notes to just holding the chord which is tough for my pinky. Add to that, I don't exactly have super-long fingers for a guy. On top of all that, about a month and a half after the injury, I had to perform the song publicly....fun!!
What did/do I do? I practice that section of the Eagles song that gives me the most trouble...every time I practice. What's frustrating for me is that I could do this in my sleep before. Now it's like my pinky is in mutiny with the rest of my hand.
Getting it right is all about good old fashioned buckling down. The key is to not expect too much of yourself when you have that chord change when it's harder than others. Take your time and slowly switch back and forth between those two chrods. Just those two chords...slowly. Go slow enough that when you complete the change, that each chord rings true. Once you've got that down, just a litte faster. Get that down..a little faster...and so on until you're up to speed.
The theory is to isolate the issue and drill on it. Not elegant or even the easiest answer but...
Just don't give up. We all have those things and you'd be surprised at that everyone has them no matter how long you've been playing. I've been playing (with a break) since 1982 and I get 'em.
Once you get that chord change down, you'll be all smiles!