Sure, you can do that. Also use the second, third and forth fingers for open D, E, G and A chords as well. Many players do that very thing.
Hi All,
As I posted in a previous thread(Fret Hand Index Finger Disability), I have a finger that is a bit of a challenge to fret with. A friend of mine noticed the severe struggle I was having with fretting the open C chord yesterday while I was noodling around trying to play "Stand By Me". I thought about it for a bit and then said "Hey, what if I play the open C with middle, ring and pinky?" He thought it might work alright. What say you fellow fret-heads?
Last edited by Viking Power; August 5th, 2009 at 10:23 AM.
RIG 1:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony G-400 SG "Fast Eddie"
Amplifier: Peavey Vypyr 15
Effects: I think the amplifier has a bunch built in....
RIG 2:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony Dreadnought "Cinder"
Amplifier: Big Hole in Center of Guitar
Effects: Various Picks & Gnarled Fingers
:
Sure, you can do that. Also use the second, third and forth fingers for open D, E, G and A chords as well. Many players do that very thing.
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
Originally Posted by bigG
Seriously, this is awesome! Not sure why my instructor didn't think to suggest it when I was taking lessons, but better late than never.
This could really solve my guitar playing struggles or at least solve those that I have right now (I'm sure more will come up, wouldn't be any fun if it were easy )
RIG 1:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony G-400 SG "Fast Eddie"
Amplifier: Peavey Vypyr 15
Effects: I think the amplifier has a bunch built in....
RIG 2:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony Dreadnought "Cinder"
Amplifier: Big Hole in Center of Guitar
Effects: Various Picks & Gnarled Fingers
:
BTW, VK: you can also fret an F chord w those 3 fingers, but mute the high E string w your first finger, or second finger (or leave it open and you'll have an F maj7).
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
THANKS bigG!!!Originally Posted by bigG
Happy Day!!!!!
Man, this is just so cool! Can't wait to get home and pick-up an axe and start training my fingers!!!
RIG 1:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony G-400 SG "Fast Eddie"
Amplifier: Peavey Vypyr 15
Effects: I think the amplifier has a bunch built in....
RIG 2:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony Dreadnought "Cinder"
Amplifier: Big Hole in Center of Guitar
Effects: Various Picks & Gnarled Fingers
:
Anyone care to chime in with either:
A- A website/source for alternative open chord fingerings
OR
B- Just give me fingering recommendations for the most common open chords such that the index finger is not used
I realize to a lot of you this may seem like a no-brainer/figure it out for yourself kind of thing, but I really am pretty new to the guitar and would like to borrow some tribal wisdom from anyone willing to share.......might save me hours of beating my head (or guitars) against the wall.
Thanks in advance Fretters!
RIG 1:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony G-400 SG "Fast Eddie"
Amplifier: Peavey Vypyr 15
Effects: I think the amplifier has a bunch built in....
RIG 2:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony Dreadnought "Cinder"
Amplifier: Big Hole in Center of Guitar
Effects: Various Picks & Gnarled Fingers
:
Sure, VP. The simple answer is this:
ANY chord-fingering chart you have (or see anywhere), where the dots show the fingering postions at fret and string, just exchange fingers 1, 2 and 3 on the chart for fingers 2, 3 and 4, in the same positions
Where the chart shows 1 = use 2, where the chart shows 2 = use 3, where the chart shows 3 = use 4. This will work for most all open chords in 1st position.
EX: open D chord, you would put finger 2 on G string, 2nd fret; finger 3 on E string, 2nd fret; finger 4 on B string, 3rd fret. Mute the low E string and play A and D strings open, as you would using fingers 1, 2 and 3.
Hope this helps!
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
That does help a lot bigG. Thanks!Originally Posted by bigG
Maybe I am over-thinking it a bit? I spent about an hour last night messing around with the 2-3-4 vs. 1-2-3 for open chords and am just hoping I don't go down any "wrong" paths....
-C worked GREAT!!!! Way better for me given my index finger issues.
-F is difficult. Is this possibly a 2-3-4 flexibility issue????
-D/E/Em/A/Am/G all good with the 2-3-4
-Strummed around with "Stand By Me" in C and I guess it was mainly F that was giving me a helluva time....
That which does not kill me makes me stronger......that which does not kill me makes me stronger......that which does not kill me.........:
RIG 1:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony G-400 SG "Fast Eddie"
Amplifier: Peavey Vypyr 15
Effects: I think the amplifier has a bunch built in....
RIG 2:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony Dreadnought "Cinder"
Amplifier: Big Hole in Center of Guitar
Effects: Various Picks & Gnarled Fingers
:
Nah, man! Sounds like your gettin' it down.
If it's any solace, when I first started learning guitar back in 1963, the simple first psition F chord was the hardest for me, too - the most "unnatural".
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
if you play guitar hero excessively, your hands will get tired and you will become very bored.
...
but it did help me strengthen my pinky
Guitars: Ibanez RG420EG, Harrier Mistral Ice White Tele
Amps: Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 15R (w/ 8" Celestion), Marshall Valvestate Mk.I 8100 Head, Blackheart BH5H Head
Cabs: Marshall 4x12 (4 x Celestion Pro 12")
FX:Line 6 Floor POD, BOSS 7-band GE-7, BOSS Mega Distortion MD-2, Vox V847a Reissue Wah, Danelectro Cool Cat Drive
Just another Rig Sig Jig, Dig?
Originally Posted by ibanezjunkie
I am pretty much strictly OFF video games. Can't seem to have the healthiest of relationships with them.
Did try Guitar Hero once at an electronics store. It was pretty cool but I could see many wasted hours in my future if I were to own it!
RIG 1:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony G-400 SG "Fast Eddie"
Amplifier: Peavey Vypyr 15
Effects: I think the amplifier has a bunch built in....
RIG 2:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony Dreadnought "Cinder"
Amplifier: Big Hole in Center of Guitar
Effects: Various Picks & Gnarled Fingers
:
It is something you can use to your advantage. I did this to my index finger last summer. The band I'm in was gigging very heavily at the time. I started playing using only my middle, ring, and pinky. Those few weeks without the use of my index helped strengthen my other fingers and increase their independence of movement.
Patrick
I lopped off the first three fingertips on my right hand in a snowblower in 2001. It pretty much killed any chance that I would ever play fingerstyle, but as most of you are painfully aware, that wouldn't necessarily be my "thing" anyway. I had to relearn some very basic things: like how to hold a pick. The crazy thing is now I hold it "right" and almost never drop it. Before they'd be flying all over the place. I learned to tap with my pinkie which actually works out great. That way I don't have to hide the pick anywhere.
In case you'd ever feel a pity party coming on, check out a video of Django Reinhardt. What that man could do with a seriously disfigured left hand is nothing short of amazing.
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
Originally Posted by hubberjub
Stylish choice in stitch color my friend!
Thanks for sharing your experience. These kinds of stories are really helping me to "keep on keeping on". I've already added an extra millimeter or so to my pinky callus not to mention strength and stretch. Got a ways to go but it just feels good to be moving ahead.....
RIG 1:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony G-400 SG "Fast Eddie"
Amplifier: Peavey Vypyr 15
Effects: I think the amplifier has a bunch built in....
RIG 2:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony Dreadnought "Cinder"
Amplifier: Big Hole in Center of Guitar
Effects: Various Picks & Gnarled Fingers
:
Originally Posted by marnold
Thanks for sharing Marnold! Another inspiring story for guys like me. I've watched a little Django. Need to keep some of those vids within easy reach for the pity parties. That man sure as hell didn't let anything stop him!
RIG 1:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony G-400 SG "Fast Eddie"
Amplifier: Peavey Vypyr 15
Effects: I think the amplifier has a bunch built in....
RIG 2:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony Dreadnought "Cinder"
Amplifier: Big Hole in Center of Guitar
Effects: Various Picks & Gnarled Fingers
:
I'm currently on a break at work, but I will try to mess around when I get home and see what open voicings I can find using only three fingers that might help you out.
I know A/B/C/D/E are very easy and beautiful chords that can be played with only three fingers further up the neck. I'll see what else I can find with a guitar in hand and post the results to this thread.
I'm a strat man. Mostly playing blues and modern praise and worship music.
Thanks in advance!!!:Originally Posted by SharkUSMC
RIG 1:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony G-400 SG "Fast Eddie"
Amplifier: Peavey Vypyr 15
Effects: I think the amplifier has a bunch built in....
RIG 2:
Guitar: Epiphone Ebony Dreadnought "Cinder"
Amplifier: Big Hole in Center of Guitar
Effects: Various Picks & Gnarled Fingers
:
Good going viking.
I have a spinal disease which wreck havok on my nerves. Sometimes my finger (any) won't move and I gotta ad lib with my other fingers. To me it's a good exercise to alternate your fingers on the spot.
I'd suggest that you study the triads. They are the very basic 3 note chords. Music is chord based and as long as you know what the chords are, you can rock away you want.
Can you use your index finger as a barre? You don't have to do a full barre.
In the meantime..
_____
GUITARS - Carvin DC127M - Carvin Bolt kit
AMPS - Bogner Alchemist 112 - Blackheart Handsome Devil half stack
FXs - Roger Linn Adrenalinn III - Boss GT-10
_____
look what Tony Iommi did when he lost his fingertips in a machine accident.yep thimbles did the trick for him and SabbathOriginally Posted by marnold
but as stated it sounds like you are doing just fine,
Life is like a camera, just focus on what’s important and capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don’t work out, just take another shot. ~ Anonymous
Guitars: 1967(year they came out): Fender Coronado II Wildwood I ,Fullerton ST- 4 Fat Strat , Esteban Legacy acous/elec,99 MIA Standard Fender Strat
Amph's Original Roland Cube 15,Drive 30 w/spring reverb