I noticed that when Neil plays an "A" chord the shape with 3 fingers in the second fret he uses a slightly different fingering that I do or am use to seeing.
As I observe, Neil uses:
First (index) finger on the 3th string - 2nd fret (A note).
Middle finger on the 4th string - second fret (E note).
Ring finger on the 2nd string - 2nd fret (note C#).
Where as most players including myself use the following:
First (index) finger on the 4th string - 2nd fret (A note).
Middle finger on the 3th string - second fret (E note).
Ring finger on the 2nd string - 2nd fret (note C#).
Now to my questions
Is there a technically correct way to play this shape
What if any is their in playing the fingering the way Neil does?
"A" Chord fingering
Good observation. More often than not I play first position A chord like Neil. I can't speak for why Neil does it that way, but for me it is simply easier to get all three fingertips on one fret that way. There is nothing wrong with playing it either way.
Sometimes I'll also just barre it with my index finger if its feasible and the notes are there.
Sometimes I'll also just barre it with my index finger if its feasible and the notes are there.
Hmmmmm? I haven't seen him do that, which is not to say that he doesn't. Maybe he does. I generally play an "A" chord with only my index finger, unless I have a reason to play it with three fingers, in which case, I play it the way you do, but it really doesn't matter.
I call that the 'triangle A' and there are a couple of good reasons for it.
If you have big fat fingers like me, it makes it easier to get them all closer to the fret. Also, the finger on the G string is an anchor finger or sticky finger. lift all fingers up except that one and you will see that it is already in position for a D chord. Slide it back 1 fret and its in position for an E chord. That one finger is used to guide your other fingers without needing to look at them.
Make sense?
If you have big fat fingers like me, it makes it easier to get them all closer to the fret. Also, the finger on the G string is an anchor finger or sticky finger. lift all fingers up except that one and you will see that it is already in position for a D chord. Slide it back 1 fret and its in position for an E chord. That one finger is used to guide your other fingers without needing to look at them.
Make sense?
AndyT wrote:
If I'm playing the blues or need a quick A I'll barre the chord with either my first or second finger. I don't know if that's legal but it works for me!
That's exactly right! I too have fat fingers. If I line them up in a row I can't get one of the three close to the fret and it sounds dead.If you have big fat fingers like me, it makes it easier to get them all closer to the fret.
If I'm playing the blues or need a quick A I'll barre the chord with either my first or second finger. I don't know if that's legal but it works for me!
That was a new one to me too, FRYBABY. I had
seen a few classical guitarist play the A Maj.
chord as Neil does, but classical guitarist
aren't normal anyway. lol
After following Neil's advice, I did find that
I had much clearer notes to the chord doing it
Neil's way and it made it much easier for chord
changes after you become familiar with playing
it that way.
I also found that if you are going to play Eric
Clapton, James Taylor, or Paul Simon songs, you
better play it Neil's way! Everything
else sounds fuzzy.
The A chord is just one of the many bad habits
that, so far, I have been able to break. Stay
with it, it does get easier.
Haoli
seen a few classical guitarist play the A Maj.
chord as Neil does, but classical guitarist
aren't normal anyway. lol
After following Neil's advice, I did find that
I had much clearer notes to the chord doing it
Neil's way and it made it much easier for chord
changes after you become familiar with playing
it that way.
I also found that if you are going to play Eric
Clapton, James Taylor, or Paul Simon songs, you
better play it Neil's way! Everything
else sounds fuzzy.
The A chord is just one of the many bad habits
that, so far, I have been able to break. Stay
with it, it does get easier.
Haoli
AndyT wrote:
The only thing my wife makes for dinner is reservations! She said I didn't marry her for her cooking. I'm still trying to figure out what I did marry her for!! LOL!He is right. It does get easier. Just like eating your wifes cooking when you first get married.
I'm blessed with a gourmet chef for a wife. No wonder I'm fat.