Playing G with 2nd, 3rd & 4th finger

[D.Traylor]

I learned to play G chord with the first 3 fingers but when fooling around with doing it with the 2nd, 3rd & 4th, while it felt weird I was amazed at how smooth it was going between G & C.

I was wondering if anyone here actually uses the 2nd, 3rd & 4th to play G.

Personally I've always seen it played the way I learned but I'm seriously considering practicing the other for a while.

Don

[HHP]

Only way I ever played it. Transitions to C and Em are probably why so many use it. Makes the usual G runs a bit easier.

[Kerbie]

Oh yeah, almost all the time! I might revert to using the first 3 fingers if I'm just sitting and strumming. But playing any kind of fingerstyle, using fingers 2, 3 and 4 is the easiest way to do it. Leaves your index free for the G7...

[EllaMom]

For fingerstyle players especially, the more you can free up fingers for other duties, the better. I like how you have figured this out on your own. Keep going!

Had to pick up the guitar and actually play to find out. I play it various ways, and my fingers make that decision, not me. It's a function of what chord is coming next or sometimes what came before. My fingers know all that. If I try to interfere, I can mess it all up.

[D.Traylor]

Awesome replies.

I just went and practiced a half an hour and man is my little finger tip sore.

Typically I only use my little when strumming Folsom Prison Blues and hit that B something or another (or when practicing the F chord) LOL.

The different finger thing is quick for sure. I still do the occasional minute drills.

Think I'm off to bed to let sink in my subconscious

[TBman]

Its an easy way to switch from the C chord and to add the c note as hammer while playing the G for embellishment if it goes with the tune.

[Norml]

I learned the G using fingers 2,3, and 4 because that is how my fist teacher insisted I play it. Now most of the time I play G with just 3 and 4.

3X0003

[StringFive]

You bet...all the time. I use both fingerings depending on the song and the licks involved. As noted, especially useful for fingerstyle...

[jseth]

I have used that particular form for an open G chord for decades now, ever since I first learned it. Prior to that, I would make it the "old" way...

The "new" variation is REALLY versatile; easy to switch to many other chords, easy to add a note or two for different flavors of the G major chord...

Truth is, I rarely play the G note on the high E string, preferring the sound of using the pinky for the D note on the B string (3rd fret). Sometimes I'll let the high E ring open for a sweet Major 6th sound, but with that extra D note, the form has a nice modal sound to it!

I will occasionally use that first form that I learned, IF the song calls for it...

[AX17609]

Originally Posted by EllaMom

For fingerstyle players especially, the more you can free up fingers for other duties, the better. I like how you have figured this out on your own. Keep going!

This covers it for me. I play ragtime and Piedmont-style country blues, so having free fingers is really important. I grew up playing a G with 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers, but I'll grab it any way I need to now, including wrapping the thumb to hit the low G if I have to. The one way I never play it, however, is with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers.

[ifret]

Been using 2, 3, 4 for 43 years. Only makes sense. I'm a finger-picker.

[Bikewer]

As the others say. I recognized this was a better way to go right away, but my little-finger mobility was very poor.
I struggled for what seemed like months until one day it just "clicked" and I had it.

One of those major early hurdles that put me on the road some 45 years ago.

[Mooh]

Context should dictate what fingering you use.

[skitoolong]

Originally Posted by Mooh

Context should dictate what fingering you use.

^^^^This. Same with any other chord, I'm learning.