How do you decide chord fingering?

Question

There are various ways to press the notes for chords. Some are more bar-based than others, some are based on pivoting. Getting familiar with 'tight spots' in a song helps you decide.

Answer 1

I am not sure if you are playing only chords or if you are playing some single-note melody in between the chords. But if you are playing chords and melody then that can help make up your mind. If the melody you are playing lends itself to playing the chord with root on the 6th string rather than the 5th string, then that narrows down the possibilities.

Also, mixing up the chords from one verse to the next adds extra flavor to a repetitive chord progression. Try playing the same progression in first position. And then try it in fifth position for example. Can you play the same progression at the 12th fret (that is an octave higher than the first fret). Make it more compelling for your listeners and also more interesting for yourself that way.

Answer 2

I'd agree 100% with my colleagues, the fingering of the certain chord is entirely dependent on the song. Yes, there is a standard way of forming a chord, however is it always the easiest to transition to? No. When artists compose a song, the fingering is usually unique to the chord progression. For example, Tommy Emannuel may use a thumb to hit the low note on a specific song. Other artist can sometime use a capo on a few frets, if they find themselves frequently barring a note in a song. It's all about the specific piece of music.

Answer 3

Chord fingering is subject - so it really depends on your preference and how it feels on your fingers. But, it's also dependent on the context of the song: whether you are going to another chord, or if you are playing a melody on top of playing the chord. In that case, you want to play the chord in a way that would be most efficient to play the upcoming chord or the melody that you play on top of it

Answer 4

From you question, it sounds like you are familiar with different fingerings, but uncertain about when to use choices available.

Study the song that you are working on:

If you are playing an E chord and will be using barre chords to move up the neck you may choose to not use the finger 1 (forefinger) since you will utilizing this as you move up the neck. On the other hand, if the song calls for the E to move to an E7 then to an A minor, then you would be in good form to utilize the forefinger in the E chord. ( forefinger on the G# on the G string)

This is a simple example, but hopefully a helpful suggestion for you.

Andy

Answer 5

First of all it depends the chord. Generally if it is a triad the fingering there is only one way to do it.

As a general statement I would use as less fingers as possible (bars), to anticipate the next move or add embellishments.