Guitar Tricks Online Guitar Lessons

The One-Finger G Major Chord

 
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Now let's check out a chord that uses only one fretted note. Start out by playing the open E-minor chord from the previous lesson. The only thing that changes now is that we'll add a fretted note in the 3rd fret of the high E-string.

I'm using my ring finger, and I'd recommend you try for that as well. But in a pinch you could also use your index or middle finger instead. Remember to be right up against the fret. This is a G major chord! Major chords are a type of chords, that most of us describe as more happy sounding.

With this chord you could play all of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat'.

I'm still just strumming with my thumb, but again you can use your index finger or even a pick if you're already using that. Just make sure you start on the G-string and go gently towards the floor from there. Also here, you can also play the notes one at a time. That's a pretty sound!

Instructor Anders Mouridsen
Tutorial:
Simple Chords
Styles:
Any Style
Difficulty:
print notation download lesson open guitar tuner
The One-Finger G Major Chord song notation

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Questions & Answers

1 year ago
Thank you so much for this help! I've noticed though that my e minor doesn't quite match the sound of the video. Might that be related to tuning, because I seem to find that part the hardest? If so, is there any way to tune it right using the tools provided? I tried doing it by ear, but the discrepency is eating at me sometimes when I'm learning.
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Thanks so much for your question. I recommend getting a headstock tuner - they are very compact, handy and accurate. You could also use a pedal tuner if you wish. Check out this page for more info on tuning - there's also a tuner on the page you could use: https://www.guitartricks.com/guitar-tuner Hope this helps!

1 year ago
Hi! This is a huge help! I do have a question tho. When I use my guitar pick it you can hear it snapping against the strings. Is there a way to make it stop? Or am I strumming it wrong?
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! Try lightening up on your strums. Strumming not as hard will alleviate the snapping sound. A nice, light, relaxed strum is all that is required right now. Hope this helps!

2 years ago
I'm having a very hard time understanding the notation (any!). I never learned that in my life - is there any support available here with that? My goal is to learn to play AND read and write music (notes). Help please.
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello, thanks so much for your question! The Fundamentals Course is designed to get you playing right away, without overloading you with music theory and reading. By all means, please check out these other tutorials on GuitarTricks to learn more about reading music and tab: Learning To Read Music: https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/271 How To Read Guitar Tabulature: https://www.guitartricks.com/how-to-read-guitar-tabs

2 years ago
NO question just want too say thank u because this really helps
Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Hello - thanks so much for your kind comment!

2 years ago
What kind of "G" is this where only the high E is being pressed down?? How could I get lost already.
Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Hello - thanks for your question. This is an "Easy G" chord where we are only strumming the top 3 strings. As such, we only need to fret the 3rd fret of the high E string.

2 years ago
I’m having trouble fretting the high E string, due to how thin it is I’m finding it to be extremely painful and I can’t stand it for longer than 10 seconds at a time. Is there anything I can do to make this easier on myself, or is it just a matter of building up calluses as I keep practicing?
Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Hello - thanks for your question. You shouldn't be feeling any pain fretting that note on the high string. Perhaps you are pressing too hard? You only need enough pressure to cleanly sound the note. Try to get your finger coming onto the fret at a 90 degree angle, so that your finger tip is the part of your finger fretting the note. If you are still feeling pain, only practice this in short bursts with plenty of rest in between. Eventually, you will build up calluses as you keep practicing.

2 years ago
How do you hold a chord freely
Josh Workman 2 years ago

Could you rephrase the question or submit a feedback video where you demonstrate what you are asking? Thanks.

2 years ago
im not able to play the G chord, when i am playing the 1st string it just does not sound right. its not even close to what he is playing in the lesson. what do i do?
Josh Workman 2 years ago

Hi, unfortunately it's hard to know what the trouble is without a more detailed explanation. Depending on your subscription, you could send us a feedback video demonstrating what you're dealing with and one of us can send a reply video.