Is there a trick to A Major?

[cliff_the_stiff]

I like an A shape
6th string-5th fret
5th string 7th fret
4th string 7th fret
3rd string 6th fret
1st/ 2nd strings open
slide this shape up 2 frets and make an otherworldly sounding B

Regarding A maj- I use my middle, ring and pinky for the standard shape

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by sloar

I’m working on it, having trouble getting my ring finger to flex like that.

Hi sloar

It's a 'relax' move, not one that responds well to forced/tense muscle movement.

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by sloar

Probably would've helped a lot if I would've mentioned the song is Fire And Rain.

I was just thinking it might be that!

I'd use my normal A fingering which is middle-ring-pinky. But hammering on the 2nd should be possible with any fingering using separate fingers. I can do it with index-middle-ring or middle-index-ring.

James Taylor himself plays it a very weird way - ring-middle-index

I can do it that way, but I just wouldn't! He's obviously used to it.

[lar]

Originally Posted by cliff_the_stiff

I like an A shape
6th string-5th fret
5th string 7th fret
4th string 7th fret
3rd string 6th fret
1st/ 2nd strings open
slide this shape up 2 frets and make an otherworldly sounding B

Very unique, and sounds fantastic.

I'll have to get my fingers used to that shape. Right now each finger is screaming at me "YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT!"

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by cliff_the_stiff

I like an A shape
6th string-5th fret
5th string 7th fret
4th string 7th fret
3rd string 6th fret
1st/ 2nd strings open
slide this shape up 2 frets and make an otherworldly sounding B

Regarding A maj- I use my middle, ring and pinky for the standard shape

That's A(add9) - assuming you're sounding the 2nd string and not muting it. Slid up two frets, it's B(add4)

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by lar

Very unique

Not really.

Here's a similar option (another Aadd9):

-0- E
-0- B
-6- C#
-7- A
-0- A
-x-

Or:

-5- A
-0- B
-6- C#
-7- A
-0- A
-x-


For plain A major:

-0- E
-5- E
-6- C#
-7- A
-0- A
-x-

You don't even have to mute the low E, it may not sound too bad to include it.

One more (A major triad):

-0-- E
-10- A
-9-- E
-11- C#
-0-- A
-x--

A little trickier:

-9-- C#
-10- A
-9-- E
-11- C#
-0-- A
-x--

[lar]

Thank's for taking the time to write these out (I'm going to have to break out my Edly's theory book again).

[Meursault]

I have more trouble with the a7 chord, the open g string being inadvertently muted by the other fingers. Especially since I started doing fingerstyle and every bit of sloppy fretting is highlighted!

[davidbeinct]

Originally Posted by Meursault

I have more trouble with the a7 chord, the open g string being inadvertently muted by the other fingers. Especially since I started doing fingerstyle and every bit of sloppy fretting is highlighted!

I like to finger the A7 with index middle, especially if I’m not going to need the A. I have more control over those two fingers and therefore can fret cleaner.

[The Bard Rocks]

Simple A, 1st position - I use 2 fingers, #2 and #3. Each finger gets 1.5 strings, I guess. I have friends who can do it with one, but my fingers won't bend that much. Wish it could as that frees up another finger to do something else if needed.

[emtsteve]

Justin Sandercoe has a great lesson Fire & Rain. The fingering he teaches is what I use - the index stays on the g string for the D to A to E section. It took me a while to get all the hammer ons and pull offs right but it is worth the effort.

James Taylor also has a video lesson out on the net and he uses a much different fingering. Watching and hearing the master at work is a treat. (Edit - I see there's a link above to the JT lesson)

Beautiful song!