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The worst basic chord in the guitar world

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Guitsome

Posted 2013-03-21 5:45 PM (#468645 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 119

Location: NH

Oh boy..... I sense the return of the Insomniac Quiz.

standing

Posted 2013-03-21 11:29 PM (#468680 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1453

Location: Texas

I guess it's what you are used to; the 224442 B chord seems very natural to me, and I'm comfortable grabbing that form anywhere on the neck. However, like Jukebox Joe, I use my pinky to bar the 444 part because I find it easier to clear the high E string cleanly. (I have no choice anyway, since an old injury left my ring finger incapable of arching enough to clear the high E string.)

I can't count how many other guitarists have seen me play that chord with my pinky and told me it's "wrong." However, I was watching an old Led Zep film the other night and noticed Jimmy Page using that exact same form. I wonder how many people told him that he was playing it "wrong"?

Edited by standing 2013-03-21 11:33 PM

BanjoJ

Posted 2013-03-21 11:58 PM (#468681 - in reply to #468680)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
September 2012
Posts: 811

Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia

Did this strike a chord with me! Pardon the pun.

After 40 years of playing guitar I still struggle with the 224442 B.

I think I'll try ProfessorBB's idea of B2 (224422) .

I also play banjo, tuned to G. So the B chord is 4444. Very easy.

TAFKAR

Posted 2013-03-22 12:23 AM (#468683 - in reply to #468645)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985

Location: Sydney, Australia

Guitsome - 2013-03-22 10:45 AM

Oh boy..... I sense the return of the Insomniac Quiz.

Shhhhhh! Muzz will kill you if that comes back.

Old Man Arthur

Posted 2013-03-22 2:37 AM (#468687 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR

I got a poster with chord charts on my wall... (that I rarely look at)

There are things like the G9 and the Gb9 that I will never be using in any song.

I know about 16 chords which pretty much cover anything that I am gonna play.

(not to mention another dozen chords that I know but have never used)

dwg preacher

Posted 2013-03-22 3:04 PM (#468715 - in reply to #468687)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
October 2012
Posts: 349

Location: Denver, CO

arthurseery - 2013-03-22 1:37 AM I know about 16 chords which pretty much cover anything that I am gonna play.

That makes me feel a little better.

MeredithI

Posted 2013-03-22 10:27 PM (#468741 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
November 2012
Posts: 135

Location: New Bern, NC

I hate E-flat. No matter what position I play it in, I don't like it. In first position, it's a D chord up one fret with the first finger on the 4th string - VERY awkward! In 6th position as a barre chord I don't like the voicing. I don't mind fingering every individual note in a B flat or B as a barre chord. I can usually get a clean sound. It certainly helps that I'm playing it on a Custom Legend, which plays like BUTTER!

Darkbar

Posted 2013-03-23 7:15 AM (#468751 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: RE: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535

Location: Flahdaw

So try this quickly everyone....
xx7654, B, 020032, A, 332000, 224232, xx5432
Like Slipkid says....that B is a buzzkill

Edited by BobG 2013-03-23 7:16 AM

martinez

Posted 2013-03-31 5:49 AM (#469043 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
September 2011
Posts: 260

Location: Spain

I hate B and never play it. If a song calls for it, sorry but it's getting B7 and that's it.

rick endres

Posted 2013-03-31 10:12 PM (#469062 - in reply to #457537)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616

Location: cincinnati, ohio

Agree with Woody - I usually play the "Tom Petty" B chord - X24400. I CAN play a B barre with no trouble - fret the top of the chord (2nd fret) with my index and the bottom (4th fret) with my ring finger. Just doesn't sound as good. Also play first position B7 (X21202 or X21200)

E/G# bass is just a D/F# slid up two frets, using the thumb to hook the bottom string.

A/C# is a G6/B (X20030) slid up two frets.

Eb and Bb - I just move that dreaded B Barre chord shape up or down the neck. For a Bb, you CAN play a garden variety Fmaj7 shape (133210) up the neck and let the top string ring open. It's on the 6th fret (688760). Neil Young does that on "Long May You Run." If you want to pick nits, it's actually Bb(addE).

Speaking of problem chords, my personal nemesis is the aforementioned garden variety Fmaj7 (133210), using the thumb to get the first fret of the sixth string and let the top string ring open. I usually play a standard F barre chord, but I miss that open top string. I also play Fmaj7 without the bass string (X33210) and even Fmaj7/A (X03210), which Neil (again) uses on "Hey, Hey, My, My." My fingers just aren't as nimble as they used to be, and I just can't grab the first fret on the bottom string with my thumb and not muffle it. Some nights are better than others - but usually not. I's much easier up the neck with a capo, of course.

I fingerpick a lot and can avoid strings that don't sound good or right. On E/G#, I play the bass and the top 3 strings and avoid 4 and 5. It works. I know a lot of 2 and 3 string fragments up the neck which give some variety and a nice, open "chimey" sound.

Edited by rick endres 2013-03-31 10:42 PM

rick endres

Posted 2013-03-31 10:15 PM (#469063 - in reply to #468680)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616

Location: cincinnati, ohio

standing - 2013-03-21 11:29 PM

I guess it's what you are used to; the 224442 B chord seems very natural to me, and I'm comfortable grabbing that form anywhere on the neck. However, like Jukebox Joe, I use my pinky to bar the 444 part because I find it easier to clear the high E string cleanly. (I have no choice anyway, since an old injury left my ring finger incapable of arching enough to clear the high E string.)

I can't count how many other guitarists have seen me play that chord with my pinky and told me it's "wrong." However, I was watching an old Led Zep film the other night and noticed Jimmy Page using that exact same form. I wonder how many people told him that he was playing it "wrong"?

It's not wrong if it works!

SOBeach

Posted 2013-03-31 11:16 PM (#469066 - in reply to #469063)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 823

Location: sitting at my computer

rick endres - It's not wrong if it works!

AstroDan

Posted 2013-04-01 12:25 PM (#469075 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 486

Location: Suisun City, Ca

<p>The 4-finger G7 gets me. xx5432 w/ 1st, 2nd, 3rd 4th fingering. I can NEVER get the pinky down at same time as the rest. Never! Eagles - I can't tell you why. I play a lot of Pink Floyd. Lots of B's, mostly B minor.</p>

Edited by AstroDan 2013-04-01 12:27 PM

Roundback Rob

Posted 2013-04-01 3:06 PM (#469080 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2012
Posts: 27

I don't know why, but the B7 X21202 doesn't feel natural, to me. Also G M7 X1303X (Jimmy Page & Neil Young) gotta stretch!

TAFKAR

Posted 2013-04-01 8:36 PM (#469094 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985

Location: Sydney, Australia

You could always get a double neck, take the octave strings off and tune the other neck to a B chord.

rick endres

Posted 2013-04-01 9:59 PM (#469097 - in reply to #469075)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616

Location: cincinnati, ohio

AstroDan - 2013-04-01 12:25 PM

The 4-finger G7 gets me. xx5432 w/ 1st, 2nd, 3rd 4th fingering. I can NEVER get the pinky down at same time as the rest. Never! Eagles - I can't tell you why. I play a lot of Pink Floyd. Lots of B's, mostly B minor.

I know that shape; I would never work that hard.

A couple of easy ways to play G7:

3X0001 - Use the thumb to grab the 3rd fret of the 6th string, and use the tip of the thumb to mute the 5th string (it's a lot easier than it sounds).

And the EASIEST G7 of them all:

XXX001

Use the index finger to get the first fret of the top string. The open 3rd string gives you your G note for the root. I play this one a lot if I have a song where I go from a G to a G7 (like the Eagles' "Lyin' Eyes"). Easiest chord known to man (and woman) - unless you count what I call Em/open:

000000

I think it's actually named G6.

Edited by rick endres 2013-04-01 10:00 PM

rick endres

Posted 2013-04-01 10:44 PM (#469098 - in reply to #457898)
Subject: RE: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616

Location: cincinnati, ohio

SOBeach - 2012-08-17 11:15 AM

Another one that trips me up occasionally is open E7 (022130). Just can't consistently get my little finger to cooperate when trying to grab the whole chord simultaneously. I find I have to grab the E first and then put down the 7. Mind over matter (er, pinky).

You can play the basic version E7:

020100

A little different coloration, but it works. Less can be more. Those simple little 2 and 3 note chords have a nice open, ringing sound...

Edited by rick endres 2013-04-01 10:47 PM

Old Man Arthur

Posted 2013-04-01 11:17 PM (#469100 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR

E7... I use two versions.

020100 and 020030

It depends on the song.

But I have never used the 022130 version...

rick endres

Posted 2013-04-02 8:31 AM (#469106 - in reply to #469100)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616

Location: cincinnati, ohio

arthurseery - 2013-04-01 11:17 PM

E7... I use two versions.

020100 and 020030

It depends on the song.

But I have never used the 022130 version...

I have played the 022130 version from time to time, but depending on how loose my fretting fingers are on a given night, I have a greater or lesser degreee of success getting the pinky finger planted.

There is another way, but I think it's even more of a pain in the butt. Take a basic C7 chord and slide it up the neck to the 5th fret, making it an E7 chord.

076750

John Fogerty uses that as the main rhythm chord for "Born On the Bayou."

I have trouble with C-shaped chords (which are similar to the dreaded Fmaj7 chord when you go to grip them). It has something to do with the touch of arthritis I have in my fretting hand. I don't even play the "baby" C chord (X32010); I'm actually more comfortable (and have no trouble with) the fuller C/G chord (332010). I grab a basic Cmaj7/G (332000) and drop my index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.

In fact, most of the time I play the even easier C9 instead of regular C chords. C9 has a more "rock-and-rolly" sound and is easier to grip:

X32033

When you have a G-C-D progression (which is pretty common, especially with Eagles stuff) it's easier to play G5-C9-D.

32033 - X32033 - XX0232.

When you shift back and forth between the G5 and C9, you can leave your ring and pinky fingers anchored on the 3rd fret of the 1st and 2nd strings. Sometimes I play a D/F# chord, using the thumb to grab the 2nd fret of the 6th string:

200232

It's all about making it as easy as possible on yourself. "Guitar without tears."

NOTE: BY THE WAY, FOR YOU HEAVY DUTY MUSIC THEORISTS IN THE CROWD - PLEASE DON'T HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE NAMES I CALL THESE CHORDS. THEY MAY NOT BE 100% MUSICALLY ACCURATE. I THINK THEY'RE PRETTY CLOSE, AND IT BEATS CALLING THEM FRED AND ETHEL - OR GEORGE.

Edited by rick endres 2013-04-02 8:45 AM

rick endres

Posted 2013-04-02 8:58 AM (#469107 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616

Location: cincinnati, ohio

Oh - and I have to say it's encouraging to me to hear that most of us struggle a little and have to find workarounds for various chords. Oddly enough though, the B barre chord doesn't give me much trouble...

Edited by rick endres 2013-04-02 8:59 AM

Darkbar

Posted 2013-04-02 9:33 AM (#469109 - in reply to #457535)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535

Location: Flahdaw

One benefit for me of being more of a picker than a strummer, is that I can sometimes "walk" into difficult chords a finger or two at a time.
Something like x05432 doesn't have to be slammed into....just start with the pinky on 5 and work your fingers into the chord

rick endres

Posted 2013-04-02 10:17 AM (#469110 - in reply to #469109)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616

Location: cincinnati, ohio

darkbarguitar - 2013-04-02 9:33 AM

One benefit for me of being more of a picker than a strummer, is that I can sometimes "walk" into difficult chords a finger or two at a time.
Something like x05432 doesn't have to be slammed into....just start with the pinky on 5 and work your fingers into the chord

Exactly, Bob! Walk into it - great way to put it. I do that a lot with James Taylor tunes; you can grab the chords a little at a time. JT's not exactly a shredder

so you have plenty of time. I finger strum a lot too - don't always use the pick, so I can strum the top end of a chord when I transition from one to another, then go strum the bass. When I use a pick, it's usually on songs like Eagles and Lightfoot where you can just flail away with an up-and-down pendulum-style and play all six strings. I use a modified thumbpick with the tip cut off and a .38 mm light gauge Dunlop nylon pick velcroed to it.

Gives it a nice, light strumming touch...

Edited by rick endres 2013-04-02 10:31 AM

rick endres

Posted 2013-04-02 10:29 AM (#469111 - in reply to #469110)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616

Location: cincinnati, ohio

BTW - this is a GREAT thread!

SOBeach

Posted 2013-04-02 1:23 PM (#469118 - in reply to #469110)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 823

Location: sitting at my computer

rick endres - Exactly, Bob! Walk into it - great way to put it. I do that a lot with James Taylor tunes;

LOL! Good ol' James Taylor!! It's his song Carolina In My Mind that's the one where that sometimes troublesome (for me) E7 occurs. And being a strummer not a picker 'walking into it" gets a bit tricky.

*disclaimer - I'm not claiming to play it "the right way", just the way I learned it.

It comes in during the chorus...

D Bm G E7 E

Ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from be hind

D Bm7 Em7 A D

Oh I'm gone to Caro lina in my mind

the chords I'm using:

D 000232 / Bm 024432 / barre G 355433 / E7 022130 / E 022100

D 000232 / Bm7 224232 / Em7 022030 / A 002220 / D 000232

I can usually grab it okay, but it's like you said rick "depending on how loose my fretting fingers are" at that moment.

Thanks guys, for the alternate E7 chord suggestions, but (to me) their voicings/colorings don't quite fit in this instance. ymmv

I just gotta keep practicing it!!

+1 "great thread"

rick endres

Posted 2013-04-02 1:52 PM (#469119 - in reply to #469118)
Subject: Re: The worst basic chord in the guitar world

Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616

Location: cincinnati, ohio

LOL! Boy, did YOU ever come to the right place, Beach! "Carolina" is one of my favorite tunes, and I'm a real JT aficionado. Here's a link to an mp3 of it that I recorded for one of my CDs:

http://www.box.com/shared/9x3hleb389

Please give a listen and see what you think. If you like what you hear, when I get home tonight (and have a guitar in my hands so I can see) I'll write out that E7 turnaround section for you and break it down into "mini chords" so you can see how to play it a lot easier. Looks to me like you're workin' too hard - especially the G barre chord. I think I fret two notes on that.

Anyway, I won't be home til about 9:30 EDT, but I don't think it will take too long to break it down. What you need is to see how to play the "to hit me from behind" section. You shouldn't even need to finger the whole E7 chord if I remember correctly. You won't believe how much easier it is - and how much more fun.

Edited by rick endres 2013-04-02 2:03 PM

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