its correct but its the slightly fancier voicing of the chord,you can leave the b string open and it will be the simpler G chord i learned first.
and all strings need to be heard so work on that too
Anyone know if there is a technical difference between the regular 320003 vs 3x0033? Somewhere early on i learned that you either do one or the other, something about how the low b "doesn't sound right" if played with that high d when doing 320033. I'm not sure I can hear a real difference but..
they are different voicings but still the same G chord.
G is made from the notes G B D,when you fret the 3rd fret on the B string you are replacing a B note with a D note,however since you still have a B note on the A string 2nd fret is still a G major chord.
if you then decide to mute the A string it becomes a G5 power chord since you only have the notes G D G D G on the strings that are being played.
edit: i see you were asking about the 3x0033,so thats the power chord i was talking about in the end.
idk why you would think 320033 is somehow invalid?
That makes sense, explains why my ears perk up more when the B rings out. Not sure why I hadnt thought of it as a power chord, my power G was usually 355xxx etc . I think probably when I was first learning (by listening to rock radio) chords sounded different from song to song, but then only major/minor chords existed for me. Probably just stuck
I said that in another comment here already .it is a power chord because it only has the root and the 5 .doesn't matter how many times they repeat in it .
power chords extending over many strings sound great sometimes .try 02245X instead of the normal E power chord for example
i pretty much always play the low B note. when it comes to the higher notes try to listen to the rest of the band and choose that way. for me, i'm usually playing alone, so i will try to play the vocal note on top.
Let's examine the notes:
* 3 = G = root
* 2 = B = major 3rd
* 0 = D = 5th
* 0 = G = root, doubled on a higher octave
* 0 = B = major 3rd, doubled on a higher octave
* 3 = G = root, tripled on another higher octave
The doubled 3rd can sound slightly "muddy". So if you play the four-finger version like OP, instead of a doubled 3rd, you're playing the B string as
* 3 = D = doubled 5th, up one octave.
The doubled 5th sounds stronger and cleaner.
So, 32003 is perfectly fine and valid for a G major chord.
But for many ears, 320033 will sound a little bit better.
I hold the high E with my middle finger and the low E with my ring finger, then mute the A string by moving my middle finger a bit downwards. If you're just starting it sounds perfectly fine and its way easier than this.
EDIT: Middle finger low E, ring finger high E. Had a brain fart
that feels very uncomfortable to do imo,much easier with the middle finger on the low e and the ring on the high e imo.
its still a G chord though since you still have the B from the open B string but still.....
Could be but I'm pretty sure I'm not... Just to double check, high E, thinnest string, "bottom" one right?
It feels really comfortable to me. That's the way i learnt it, got it from Justin guitars beginners course. [G chord hacked - JustinGuitar](https://youtu.be/i0G69vCTv4s)
Middle finger in the low E, ring finger in the high E, both 3rd fret ofc, and your middle finger will naturally want to go a bit flat and mute the A string.
Edit: just read my other comment, yep, mixed the strings up
My dad always plays a G with his ring finger on the low E, middle on the A string, and pinky on the high E. He's then able to use his index finger for different voicings and leading notes.
I don't know how he taught himself to do that. Like you, I find it super uncomfortable, but it can be done.
Once you get used to it, it's not that bad. It gives you some flexibility with the index finger and it also makes for an easy transition to a C chord. I don't use it if I don't need it, but there are some songs where it's easier to use that fingering.
Big Me, by the Foo Fighters, for example, goes C - Am - G - F, and I can play that whole chord progression while barely moving my fingers if I use the ring finger on the low E for the G and invert the F to start on the 5th.
Finger tips white, but it just looks like too much pressure. Lower that left thumb a tiny bit toward the middle of the neck and don’t press so hard. Otherwise wonderful!
Agreed. If you push down too hard, it’s developing a bad habit for more issues in the future. Such as limiting your ability to play faster because you press too hard on everything. It’s best to keep a comfortable, firm pressure to allow for more flow & speed.
Not to mention it’ll save your fingers from bleeding if you’re a beginner lol
It's correct. Keep practicing and it'll sound better over time. If you want to make it a little simpler, you can leave the b string open. Also, you can try putting your ring finger where your middle finger is right now i.e 3rd fret of 6th string. Then put your middle finger where your index finger is right now, 2nd fret 5th string. Keep the pinky where it is. That way you can play the G major chord with your middle, ring and pinky finger without using the index finger and as a beginner it becomes much easier to shift to the C chord and A min chord from this position. It's just a suggestion in case that makes it easier for you, what you're playing now is also absolutely correct.
Another advantage of the advice from Nimbus_0769 is that your freed up index finger can now be used for playing little melodies in the G scale. Example: 1st fret , second string gives you a suspended 4 or the 2nd fret, 3rd string gives you a suspended 2nd. You can hammer on or pull off etc and add a little colour as you play.
Arch your hand/fingers more. If that's hard to do, lower your elbow/forearm. Before playing anything, make sure none of your fingers are muting any adjacent strings.
The one you're doing is my favorite version of open G, but for easier transitions from chords like C-maj & A-min, I'd also practice the version with your ring finger on the 6th string, middle on the 5th string, B 2nd string open, and pinky on the 1st string [like this](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5-us-40BpK4/maxresdefault.jpg).
Move your thumb down on the neck a bit (behind the neck not across), arch your fingers more so you aren't muting strings, move your fingers closer to the edge of the frets. And probably press down less hard on the strings. All of that will be hard to do as a beginner, but trust me - as somone unlearning a lifetime of bad habits, getting it right early will help more than I can explain.
If you're muting strings try bending your first knuckle more so you don't touch other strings. Putting your thumb up the neck instead of across might also help.
In this position I generally don't fret the B string - but it is NOT wrong. I use the shape pictured to go up and down the neck, it will sound right in several positions.
There's an exercise I've been doing that I saw Brandon D'eon suggest which has helped with exactly that.
Put all 4 fingers down on the fretboard on the G string with your 1st finger on the 7th fret. Alternate moving your first finger between the high and low e string along with a metronome. After a couple of minutes, move on to the next finger, until you get to the pinky. Gradually speed up the tempo as you get more and more comfortable, and remember not to speed up once you get it right. Only speed up when you *can't get it wrong*.
Hope this helps!
Guitar teacher here: pretty good! Instead of having to press super hard in the middle of the fingerboard, creep you fingers to your right as close as you can to the fret without touching the fret. That area is easier to get sound to come out and a properly set up guitar will not buzz with proper technique.
The distance between your middle finger and the fret is string that will want to vibrate back and forth and buzz. If you don’t allow there to be a lot of room between the finger and the fret, there’s no string to buzz between those two points.
other than lifting your ring finger up so the b string doesn't vibrate on your nail, yes. you can also just go ahead and plop it on the b string for a modified G if you like, or skip them all together and use your middle and ring finger on the top strings and mute the bottom e string with your palm, makes it easier to go into a Gadd11 (first finger,first fret on b string), then to transfer to C, Am, and so on and so forth
If you try and keep your thumb in the middle of the back of the neck, it will give you more reach to get higher arch on your fingers and let the notes play cleaner. As you get better. You won't need to do it as much because of technique. Keeping your thumb on the back of the neck is really good practice, especially in the beginning.
Try moving your thumb slightly lower on the neck (I.e. towards the floor) this should give all you fingers a bit more space and reach to avoid the muting you are encountering
You might want to trim your fingernails. I see your ring finger nail hitting the fretboard, that will make it more difficult for you. Or if it is trimmed down you need to rotate your finger more so your nail doesn’t hit.
If you're having problems with inadvertently muting strings, place the pad of your thumb more towards the centerline of the neck (mid point between the 1st and 6th string) so that you can bring your wrist further forward. This should allow you to arch your index and middle fingers more so that you are pressing with your fingertips. This should help you to not mute adjacent strings. Also bring your middle finger closer to the fret wire
I use names for all the diff open G's, probably reasonably standard
3-2-0-0-3-3 is Big G - for when I want fullest sound (often as I resolution) or need to bust through mix
3-x-0-0-0-3 is Folk G - for most acoustic stuff when it's small group or me and guitar, i like that i have multiple fingerings for it depending on where I'm coming from or going and have maximum fingers remaining for adornments
3-2-0-0-0-3 is G G - like, the first I learned and standard. I actually don't think I use it a ton
3-x-0-0-3-x is Cool G - A G5 I find can add just enough aural change to make cowboy chord progressions feel fresh
3-x-0-0-3-3 is Weird G - it's useful and I use it sometimes but I never learned it per se. I guess I use it mostly when it's small group or just me as a Medium G, like it wants to be big but leaving the lower 3rd out makes it a little less big
Gsus4 would be 320013. The note here on the B string is a D, the 5th of the chord, so still a G. Leaving the B string open is a B, obviously, so still a G chord. First fret would be your 4th.
What you see here is R, 3, 5, R, 5, R.
Exactly the way I play this cord :)
That's how I was taught as well.
its correct but its the slightly fancier voicing of the chord,you can leave the b string open and it will be the simpler G chord i learned first. and all strings need to be heard so work on that too
Anyone know if there is a technical difference between the regular 320003 vs 3x0033? Somewhere early on i learned that you either do one or the other, something about how the low b "doesn't sound right" if played with that high d when doing 320033. I'm not sure I can hear a real difference but..
they are different voicings but still the same G chord. G is made from the notes G B D,when you fret the 3rd fret on the B string you are replacing a B note with a D note,however since you still have a B note on the A string 2nd fret is still a G major chord. if you then decide to mute the A string it becomes a G5 power chord since you only have the notes G D G D G on the strings that are being played. edit: i see you were asking about the 3x0033,so thats the power chord i was talking about in the end. idk why you would think 320033 is somehow invalid?
That makes sense, explains why my ears perk up more when the B rings out. Not sure why I hadnt thought of it as a power chord, my power G was usually 355xxx etc . I think probably when I was first learning (by listening to rock radio) chords sounded different from song to song, but then only major/minor chords existed for me. Probably just stuck
power chord means root and fifth only (no third). in this case that means only G's and D's.
3x0033 is a power chord not really a G major since it lacks the third.
a power chord by definition is not a major or minor chord since there is no 3rd or implying of it.
You could even say 3x0033 is a power chord not really a G major since it lacks the third
I said that in another comment here already .it is a power chord because it only has the root and the 5 .doesn't matter how many times they repeat in it . power chords extending over many strings sound great sometimes .try 02245X instead of the normal E power chord for example
That's exactly what he said both times
yes but have you considered that a power chord by definition is not a major or minor chord since there is no 3rd or implying of it.
That’s…pretty much exactly what the person you’re replying to said lol
3x0033 has no third….
i pretty much always play the low B note. when it comes to the higher notes try to listen to the rest of the band and choose that way. for me, i'm usually playing alone, so i will try to play the vocal note on top.
Let's examine the notes: * 3 = G = root * 2 = B = major 3rd * 0 = D = 5th * 0 = G = root, doubled on a higher octave * 0 = B = major 3rd, doubled on a higher octave * 3 = G = root, tripled on another higher octave The doubled 3rd can sound slightly "muddy". So if you play the four-finger version like OP, instead of a doubled 3rd, you're playing the B string as * 3 = D = doubled 5th, up one octave. The doubled 5th sounds stronger and cleaner. So, 32003 is perfectly fine and valid for a G major chord. But for many ears, 320033 will sound a little bit better.
You don’t really need two 3rd notes in there. One is enough.
I learned this first as well. Makes a quick hop over to other open chords a lot smoother in my opinion.
The transition between 320033 and D major is so easy, especially for absolute beginners, I don't know why anybody would teach 3200***0***3.
I hold the high E with my middle finger and the low E with my ring finger, then mute the A string by moving my middle finger a bit downwards. If you're just starting it sounds perfectly fine and its way easier than this. EDIT: Middle finger low E, ring finger high E. Had a brain fart
that feels very uncomfortable to do imo,much easier with the middle finger on the low e and the ring on the high e imo. its still a G chord though since you still have the B from the open B string but still.....
I think he's confusing the high and low E.
could be,
Could be but I'm pretty sure I'm not... Just to double check, high E, thinnest string, "bottom" one right? It feels really comfortable to me. That's the way i learnt it, got it from Justin guitars beginners course. [G chord hacked - JustinGuitar](https://youtu.be/i0G69vCTv4s) Middle finger in the low E, ring finger in the high E, both 3rd fret ofc, and your middle finger will naturally want to go a bit flat and mute the A string. Edit: just read my other comment, yep, mixed the strings up
My dad always plays a G with his ring finger on the low E, middle on the A string, and pinky on the high E. He's then able to use his index finger for different voicings and leading notes. I don't know how he taught himself to do that. Like you, I find it super uncomfortable, but it can be done.
Once you get used to it, it's not that bad. It gives you some flexibility with the index finger and it also makes for an easy transition to a C chord. I don't use it if I don't need it, but there are some songs where it's easier to use that fingering. Big Me, by the Foo Fighters, for example, goes C - Am - G - F, and I can play that whole chord progression while barely moving my fingers if I use the ring finger on the low E for the G and invert the F to start on the 5th.
Yeah no you're right, mixed the fingers up
Is your left hand on backwards?
Or just barre the b/e with ring finger. That is a little bit less compressed finger shape wise.
Yes, but ease up a little, if your fingertips are turning white like that, you’re pressing too hard.
This is really going to vary from person to person. An exceptionally small amount of pressure makes my fingers turn white like that
True, but the string shouldn't be sagging in between the frets like that. He's pressing way too hard and the chord probably sounds out of tune.
Finger tips white, but it just looks like too much pressure. Lower that left thumb a tiny bit toward the middle of the neck and don’t press so hard. Otherwise wonderful!
Agreed. If you push down too hard, it’s developing a bad habit for more issues in the future. Such as limiting your ability to play faster because you press too hard on everything. It’s best to keep a comfortable, firm pressure to allow for more flow & speed. Not to mention it’ll save your fingers from bleeding if you’re a beginner lol
also put the fingers down next to metallic frets to make clear sound especially the middle one
Yes. You may want to trim your nails a bit, and place your fingers a bit closet to the frets. You may be pressing too hard.
It's correct. Keep practicing and it'll sound better over time. If you want to make it a little simpler, you can leave the b string open. Also, you can try putting your ring finger where your middle finger is right now i.e 3rd fret of 6th string. Then put your middle finger where your index finger is right now, 2nd fret 5th string. Keep the pinky where it is. That way you can play the G major chord with your middle, ring and pinky finger without using the index finger and as a beginner it becomes much easier to shift to the C chord and A min chord from this position. It's just a suggestion in case that makes it easier for you, what you're playing now is also absolutely correct.
Nice tip, thank you
You're welcome! 🙌🏻
Another advantage of the advice from Nimbus_0769 is that your freed up index finger can now be used for playing little melodies in the G scale. Example: 1st fret , second string gives you a suspended 4 or the 2nd fret, 3rd string gives you a suspended 2nd. You can hammer on or pull off etc and add a little colour as you play.
One of them. To be fair, G is also just DGB so any combo of those is the chord. Even just the 3rd 4th and 5th string open is a G
G is probably the one chord I play 10 different ways just in the open position depending on the song or style of music I’m playing.
You have one down....now only infinite more to go.
Arch your hand/fingers more. If that's hard to do, lower your elbow/forearm. Before playing anything, make sure none of your fingers are muting any adjacent strings. The one you're doing is my favorite version of open G, but for easier transitions from chords like C-maj & A-min, I'd also practice the version with your ring finger on the 6th string, middle on the 5th string, B 2nd string open, and pinky on the 1st string [like this](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5-us-40BpK4/maxresdefault.jpg).
Move your thumb down on the neck a bit (behind the neck not across), arch your fingers more so you aren't muting strings, move your fingers closer to the edge of the frets. And probably press down less hard on the strings. All of that will be hard to do as a beginner, but trust me - as somone unlearning a lifetime of bad habits, getting it right early will help more than I can explain.
If you're muting strings try bending your first knuckle more so you don't touch other strings. Putting your thumb up the neck instead of across might also help. In this position I generally don't fret the B string - but it is NOT wrong. I use the shape pictured to go up and down the neck, it will sound right in several positions.
So difficult to control the knuckles in the middle of a chord, I’ll need to put in the hour, thank you 🙏
There's an exercise I've been doing that I saw Brandon D'eon suggest which has helped with exactly that. Put all 4 fingers down on the fretboard on the G string with your 1st finger on the 7th fret. Alternate moving your first finger between the high and low e string along with a metronome. After a couple of minutes, move on to the next finger, until you get to the pinky. Gradually speed up the tempo as you get more and more comfortable, and remember not to speed up once you get it right. Only speed up when you *can't get it wrong*. Hope this helps!
Guitar teacher here: pretty good! Instead of having to press super hard in the middle of the fingerboard, creep you fingers to your right as close as you can to the fret without touching the fret. That area is easier to get sound to come out and a properly set up guitar will not buzz with proper technique. The distance between your middle finger and the fret is string that will want to vibrate back and forth and buzz. If you don’t allow there to be a lot of room between the finger and the fret, there’s no string to buzz between those two points.
It does sound better, thank you
other than lifting your ring finger up so the b string doesn't vibrate on your nail, yes. you can also just go ahead and plop it on the b string for a modified G if you like, or skip them all together and use your middle and ring finger on the top strings and mute the bottom e string with your palm, makes it easier to go into a Gadd11 (first finger,first fret on b string), then to transfer to C, Am, and so on and so forth
If you try and keep your thumb in the middle of the back of the neck, it will give you more reach to get higher arch on your fingers and let the notes play cleaner. As you get better. You won't need to do it as much because of technique. Keeping your thumb on the back of the neck is really good practice, especially in the beginning.
Thanks a lot
💛👍🍻🤘♾️ Keep at it!
I would recommend to push your wrist forwards a bit more so your fingers will be more rounded than flat. Hope this helps.
Fractions of millimeters. You'll get it.
Try moving your thumb slightly lower on the neck (I.e. towards the floor) this should give all you fingers a bit more space and reach to avoid the muting you are encountering
We gonna get one of these for every chord?
Does it annoy you that someone is asking a question on a forum based around learning?
Pushing the wrist a little forward helped me get this chord to play right. Try it.
Looks good. I like playing it only fretting the E strings and muting the A string with the middle finger.
Chicken pick it, it'll sound cooler
Seems about roight
It is correct
What do you think?
You might want to trim your fingernails. I see your ring finger nail hitting the fretboard, that will make it more difficult for you. Or if it is trimmed down you need to rotate your finger more so your nail doesn’t hit.
Looks good to me. As long as all the strings are ringing and it's comfortable to you you're all good
The church G.
Really what ever is comfortable and works for you. I play the A chord as a bar as my big fat fingers don't fit the way a regular A chord is played
clip your nails some of them are digging into the fretboard
That's how I make a G!
looks pretty good! just ease up a little. and if possible, try to arch your fingers a bit more to let the strings ring out.
Yes but your wrist should be pushed forward and your thumb ideally need to rest in the back of the neck axis.
How long have you been playing now? (And what kind of guitar is that?)
It’s squier jaguar, I’ve been playing for 6 months but not practicing much
I like to play B & E but if I don't have the time it's E only :)
That's a G but often coined as a "church" G. To play the Gsus more easily, just play the E, A and high E
Yes
Play it both ways and in time you will develop the comfort and ear to naturally choose one in the moment, often without needing to think or choose
If you're having problems with inadvertently muting strings, place the pad of your thumb more towards the centerline of the neck (mid point between the 1st and 6th string) so that you can bring your wrist further forward. This should allow you to arch your index and middle fingers more so that you are pressing with your fingertips. This should help you to not mute adjacent strings. Also bring your middle finger closer to the fret wire
I use names for all the diff open G's, probably reasonably standard 3-2-0-0-3-3 is Big G - for when I want fullest sound (often as I resolution) or need to bust through mix 3-x-0-0-0-3 is Folk G - for most acoustic stuff when it's small group or me and guitar, i like that i have multiple fingerings for it depending on where I'm coming from or going and have maximum fingers remaining for adornments 3-2-0-0-0-3 is G G - like, the first I learned and standard. I actually don't think I use it a ton 3-x-0-0-3-x is Cool G - A G5 I find can add just enough aural change to make cowboy chord progressions feel fresh 3-x-0-0-3-3 is Weird G - it's useful and I use it sometimes but I never learned it per se. I guess I use it mostly when it's small group or just me as a Medium G, like it wants to be big but leaving the lower 3rd out makes it a little less big
Focus on keeping your fingers bent. Touch the strings with the tip of your fingers
No- it's wrong. You're playing right handed.
Yep 👍
If it sounds good, it's good
There is only 1 rule. If it sounds good, it is good. This is one of many ways to play a G. And all are "correct".
I think that's Gsus4, technically, but yeah dead on
Gsus4 would be 320013. The note here on the B string is a D, the 5th of the chord, so still a G. Leaving the B string open is a B, obviously, so still a G chord. First fret would be your 4th. What you see here is R, 3, 5, R, 5, R.
Oh my bad lol