Guitar Tricks Online Guitar Lessons

Adding Another String

 
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Now let's try adding one more string to both of the chords, to make them a little bit fuller sounding.

We'll add the 2nd fret of the D-string. I'm fretting this note with my middle finger, but you should also try it with your index finger and see which one you prefer.

Now you'll see why it's important that your fingertip is coming in at a straight angle. This is the very common mistake, where the finger is hitting the fretboard at an angle and therefore laying down and muting the strings below it. So try to raise up that fingertip!

Sometimes it's helpful to move your thumb on the back of the neck a little closer to the floor, which moves the fingers away from the fretboard.

Instructor Anders Mouridsen
Tutorial:
Simple Chords
Styles:
Any Style
Difficulty:
print notation download lesson open guitar tuner
Adding Another String song notation

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Questions & Answers

4 weeks ago
I'm noticing when I play the G, when I lift my finger off the high e string, I'm getting a bit of a... buzz i guess. The note plays fine, I'm in the right position, it just seems to be something to do with the way I'm lifting my finger. I'm assuming I'm just not moving it quickly enough so there's that little point of improper contact with the string. Hopefully this improves as I get more fluid.
Mike Olekshy 3 weeks ago

Hey there - thanks so much for your question! Yes, that is probably it - when you go to remove your finger - it lingers just enough to make a bit of a buzzing sound. This is nothing to worry about at first. As you continue to practice and gain your skill in forming chords - you'll get better and better and switching chords cleanly. Just keep with it and you'll find it corrects itself naturally. Hope this helps!

7 months ago
You put your middle finger on the d chord on the second fret an called it an E minor, is this correct? I am totally confused.
Mike Olekshy 7 months ago

Hey there - thanks so much for your question! Yes, this can be confusing at first, so please don't get discouraged!!! When you put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the d string - and then strum the top 4 strings (D, G, B and E strings) - it does indeed make an E minor chord. The E minor chord contains the following notes: E G and B. By fretting the 2nd fret of the D string, you are making an E note. Then, the G, B, and high E strings are open (not fretted) - so they make the notes: G, B, and E. Hope this helps!!

8 months ago
That's confusing! What string and fret are we using for the first note please?
Mike Olekshy 8 months ago

Hey there - thanks so much for your question! In this lesson, Anders is adding another string to the previously learnt 3-string versions of the G and Em chords. So for the first chord, which is G, the only fretted note is the note on the high E string at the 3rd fret. Combine that note with the open B, G, and D strings to make this version of the chord. Hope this helps!!

1 year ago
Hello 19 - 36 second you did a trick! how you can find the cords without memories them. it seems this trick can make me find all the cords I want if learned the trick. is there a course for that? just for this trick?
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! There is no easy trick for figuring out chords. I encourage you to memorize the chords as you learn them. They are the very foundation of playing guitar.

1 year ago
I am confused as to why the G and Em chords that are being used in this lesson are so different from the G and Em I see on chord charts.
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! In this lesson, we're using the regular G and Em open chord shapes, but only strumming the top 4 strings.

1 year ago
Just a simple question, but how hard do you press the strings? Some people tell me to just gently push, and others have told me to press the string hard into the fret board. When I watch seasoned guitarists play, their fingers seem to just glide over the strings.
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! You need to push your finger onto the string and fret with the least amount of pressure while making the note clear and clean. Do not press as hard as you can, as this can lead to pain as well as tuning issues. Once you gain more and more technical ability on the guitar, your fingers become looser on the fretboard so that it looks more like you're gliding all over the strings like the pros!! Hope this helps!

2 years ago
No matter what I do or how I position my hand or the guitar my finger touches more than the d string, is it possible that my fingers are just to big?
Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Thanks for your question! Do your best to curl your finger onto the 2nd fret of the D string so that it doesn't touch the adjacent strings. The finger should be coming into the fret at a 90 degree angle (or as close as you can get). Also, experiment with the position of your wrist and find the best position that can have that finger come in at 90 degrees. You can also experiment with your thumb position behind the neck to better facilitate this.

2 years ago
On the adding another string lesson for the g chord. I’m having a hard time using my middle finger for the d string and am finding it easier to fret with my index. I know you said try both index and middle to see how it feels and that most likely it’s the middle finger but for me I’m finding it easier to fret it with my index finger. Is this okay? Reason I ask is because I want to make sure that by using my index I’m not limiting myself or somehow not doing it the correct way.
Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Hello - thanks for your question! Using your index finger on the D string is totally okay!

2 years ago
Why don't you show us which string is E A D G B E? I had to Google it to know so I could somewhat follow you. Also, why don't you give us a closeup of where you are putting your fingers on which string? How are we supposed to understand the major and minor chords that you talk about later without these key points
Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Hello - thanks for your questions! The string names were covered in the previous chapter (see link below): https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson/31241 For right now, it is not necessary to fully understand major and minor chords. We are trying to get our fingers on the fretboard so that we can develop some basic technique and play some music. The understanding of chords will come as you progress.

2 years ago
I am confused chase the 4 string g chord and e minor switched. One went down the other went up. Is it because it’s 4 strings now?
Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Hello thanks for your question! For these easy chord voicings, sometimes there's a combination of open strings and fretted notes that go up and down counter-intuitively. This is normal as there are multiple variations of voicings for each chord.