"B" chord

[Guyute]

Originally Posted by Akubra

Try it without the high F#, maybe lay your pinky across your 3rd finger for some added leverage:

x
2
4
4
4
x

But that would be a F#sus4/C#, wouldn't it?

[Pigfarm]

Originally Posted by Guyute

As for your G chord, I play that one quite a lot as well. When I do, I also sometimes finger the C chord as X 3 2 0 3 3. Gives a nice full sound to both of them even if the chord isn't technically a Cmaj.

Yeah, it's easier to switch from most open chords to that aforementioned [C]G.
The C, though, that we're talking about: X 3 2 0 3 3 , I learned it as a Cadd9, but have seen it since as a Cadd2.

Anybody want to carify?

But not Guyute... Here we go again with the crazy chord labeling....

Originally Posted by Guyute

But that would be a F#sus4/C#, wouldn't it?

[Guyute]

LOL.

It is a Cadd9.

And just so you understand what I mean, F#sus4/C# translates to F#sus4 with a C# bass note....at least that's the way I've always put it.

[Michael K]

I've been playing 36 years and the best advice I can give you about the B chord is to avoid it.

I can play it, and you ought to learn how to play it. Then avoid it from then on.

[Akubra]

Nah!

Cadd9
x
3
2
0
3
0


F#sus4/C# (lots of ways to play it though)
x
4
4
4
5
x

[Guyute]

Akubra, I figured out where you had me confused. Your tab is upside down from the way I'm used to seeing it (low strings on the bottom).

[Akubra]

Whoops! Gotta stop typing while standing on my head!

[Guyute]

wait, are you posting from Australia? 'Cuz your drains circle the other way down there, too

[Tom S.]

You might also try the E chord form while barring the 7th fret. I think it is a bit easier, but of course a bit different sound.

[Guyute]

You mean the 7th fret, right?

[semolinapilcher]

Originally Posted by Michael K

I've been playing 36 years and the best advice I can give you about the B chord is to avoid it.

I can play it, and you ought to learn how to play it. Then avoid it from then on.

In all seriousness, I agree with this post. Barre chords are important and must be mastered. Even so, a good rule of thumb is that acoustic arrangements sound better when their use is minimized. If the song is set in the key of B, consider capo-ing up 2 and playing the A chord.

Also consider substituting a B7 chord for a B; if the 7th is okay in the context of the song, then the B7's open chord voicing rings out much better. I'm noting the low E with an X, but if you alternate your index finger between the A and E strings on the second fret, it makes for a nice alternating bass line.

B7 chord:

X 2 1 2 0 2

[dthumb]

Oh , just play the stupid thing...if you must.

[wthurman]

Just have to chime in... I've been playing for almost 30 years, and I still have B major on the second fret. Blech.

[Guyute]

You could pretend to be Dave Matthews and play it like this:

X 2 1 4 X X or 7 6 9 X X X

[dthumb]

Originally Posted by Guyute

You could pretend to be Dave Matthews and play it like this:

X 2 1 4 X X or 7 6 9 X X X

I like to sub in 7 x 7 8 x x..nice jazz/blues "B"