After several years, now trouble with a simple G chord

[Freedbaby]

Ok, I got four years under my belt and I feel like things are going well.

Plenty of live performances, I feel like my rhythm is pretty good etc etc etc....but never did I think the G chord would all of the sudden be my problem?!?!?!?

SO....now that I am trying to add fancy embellishments to improve my playing, or lets say, make it more interesting, Im having issues. When I play a G chord in either of the two popular positions, I cant hammer on and off the A string without whichever finger is playing the low E string muting it. I know the issue is to get the finger on the low E string out of the way but when I do, its a SUUPER AKWARD position, even looks super akward compared to other guitarists I see.

Thoughts??

[Social Exodus]

Originally Posted by Freedbaby

Ok, I got four years under my belt and I feel like things are going well.

Plenty of live performances, I feel like my rhythm is pretty good etc etc etc....but never did I think the G chord would all of the sudden be my problem?!?!?!?

SO....now that I am trying to add fancy embellishments to improve my playing, or lets say, make it more interesting, Im having issues. When I play a G chord in either of the two popular positions, I cant hammer on and off the A string without whichever finger is playing the low E string muting it. I know the issue is to get the finger on the low E string out of the way but when I do, its a SUUPER AKWARD position, even looks super akward compared to other guitarists I see.

Thoughts??

Can you upload a picture of how you're playing it?

I suspect you're not coming straight down on the low E (which seems obvious to me), but perhaps I am wrong. Also, ANY new chord or way to play a chord you've been playing is going to feel super awkward until you get your finger memory trained. In fact, it is especially hard to RE-train yourself to play a chord differently if you've been doing it a different way right along.

[SprintBob]

Do it slowly and make sure you are not using too much pressure.

[Freedbaby]

Originally Posted by Social Exodus

Can you upload a picture of how you're playing it?

I suspect you're not coming straight down on the low E (which seems obvious to me), but perhaps I am wrong. Also, ANY new chord or way to play a chord you've been playing is going to feel super awkward until you get your finger memory trained. In fact, it is especially hard to RE-train yourself to play a chord differently if you've been doing it a different way right along.

See if this works

http://imgur.com/a/d1EiDT0

[Side1LedZepIV]

Try simultaneously lifting the finger that is playing the low E string since you usually play the fourth or third string after hammering the A. It's worked for me for a long time.

[Dino Silone]

I don’t think this is a popular option, but have you tried using your thumb on the 6th string instead, reaching around the back? I’ve been told this is a bad habit, but it has worked for me for fifty years, and leaves all the other fingers free to do whatever you like.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by Freedbaby

SO....now that I am trying to add fancy embellishments to improve my playing, or lets say, make it more interesting, Im having issues. When I play a G chord in either of the two popular positions, I cant hammer on and off the A string without whichever finger is playing the low E string muting it. I know the issue is to get the finger on the low E string out of the way but when I do, its a SUUPER AKWARD position, even looks super akward compared to other guitarists I see.

Thoughts??

Sounds like your fingers are too parallel to the fretboard. Trying rolling your wrist under the next a little more so you get more arc on your fingers.

[Bluemonk]

Resting your left hand thumb on the back of the neck goes a long way toward ensuring proper arching of the fingers and avoiding unwanted muting.

[Tube Sound]

Originally Posted by Bluemonk

Resting your left hand thumb on the back of the neck goes a long way toward ensuring proper arching of the fingers and avoiding unwanted muting.

This is it. The more you move the left thumb under the neck, the higher/more arch you create.

[rick-slo]

You can, and in many cases should, press down on the outer strings with the finger tip partially beyond the edge of the fretboard.

Also you can press down with the fingertip off center on the inner strings (just depends).

[danielharr79]

Have you recently changed to a new guitar that may have a different neck width or thickness? That could affect how your hand fits around the neck and how difficult it is to make a chord. What about changes to your position while playing? If you switched recently from seated to standing that could also affect how you grip the neck. Even changes in how long the guitar strap is while standing could make a difference. Just a few thoughts to consider

[Freedbaby]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I am going to have to relearn the friggin G chord. UGH.

No, no new guitars in a while and its the same with all of them. I guess I just dont bend my wrist nearly far enough around...at least not for that particular hammer on.

[polarred21]

Freed,

This is what I found out a couple years ago similar to your situation. While playing the 4 finger G....:



It was some time later that I realized I was muting just as you mentioned, found out when using this chord for arpeggio. So yes it was/is a bad habit even though it still makes a G chord while muting that note.


For quick change chords and rock songs I mute it anyway like this and that turns into a G5 without the B note:

[IMG][/IMG]

Good luck!