A-Chords

[Smthng2Do]

You guys will certainly be able to tell what I rookie I am here, but I suppose that's why I'm here. I am learning the "a" chord, which requires me to fret the third, fourth & fifth strings all on the second fret, open on the second and sixth, and closed on the first. My problem is that my fingers are in between fat and not fat enough. I can't fit all three finger on the second fret without hitting the fretwire, or "deadening" the other strings. And my finger isn't quite fat enough to fret two strings with one finger, I can do it is I really concentrate on gettindown hard on the string. I really gotta push down hard though to get the strings to ring out right, and when I push down hard enough to get it to ring right, I tend to close my hand and dampen the sixth string. Please, there must be someone out there with a bullet!!! Put me out of my misery. The "D" and "E" chords are much easier for me to do, but I have to know all three chords to amke some decent noise. Also, to go from one chord to the next with a fluent motion....when will this begin to happen? Is it just time time time? I don't wanna die before I am able to make a good riff! Any suggestions on any of these subjects would be very helpful for me, my stress syndrom, and the safety of my family! http://www.zentao.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[ghodaddyyo]

Try barring the 2nd fret with your index finger only. This is good when you're playing power chord riffs. Don't neglect playing it the real way, because that fingering makes it easier to do things like augmenting or diminishing.

E--------
B----2---
G----2---
D----2---
A----0---
E--------

Example for power chord riffs:
Iron Maiden - Flight of Icarus(Intro)

A5 E5 F#5
E----------------] [--------------
B----2-----------] [--------------repeat this
G----2---2---4---] [--4---4---4---section a
D----2---2---4---] [--4---4---4---few
A----0---2---4---] [--4---4---4---measures
E--------0---2---] [--2---2---2---

Beat 1 2 3 1 2 3
In the second measure, downstroke the 1st chord, upstroke the 2nd chord and back down for the 3rd chord. With a little speed, the rhythm will produce the "galloping" sound that's so definitive of Iron Maiden.


[nope... can't do it]




[This message has been edited by StoneDragon (edited March 17, 2000).]

[StoneDragon]

OK... OK.... put down those cyanide tablets... there IS hope.

First off... just for the sake of clear communication... you are numbering the strings backwards... the high E is considered the 1st string... B the 2nd... G the 3rd etc...

Second... there are a couple of other ways to finger that A chord. Try fingering it the same way you finger the D chord. this will even make it easier to switch from A to D and back. Put your index finger on the D-string, your ring finger on the G-string and your middle finger on the B-string.

If your fingers are too big for that fingering... you can just lay your index finger in a barre across all three strings at the second fret and make sure not to play the high E-string. If you want to be able to include the high E-string, you can hold the A at the 5th fret on that string with your pinky.

Getting that fluidity switching from chord to chord is something that only comes with practice... there aren't any shortcuts. Your fingers have to develope the coordination to move in the right directions and hit the right strings while being relaxed yet firm enough to push the string down.

[ghodaddyyo]

Make sure your window is maximized to view the tab. Stone, some of my tab didn't format properly, but it looks the way I want it to in the edit mode. Do you think you could clean it up? Particularly where I wrote the chord names to line up with the tab and the beat section.

[This message has been edited by ghodaddyyo (edited March 17, 2000).]

[StoneDragon]

ha...we must be posting at the same time... maybe we should both get back to work http://www.zentao.com/ubb/wink.gif

I'll see what I can do, but this software pretty much dictates the formating http://www.zentao.com/ubb/frown.gif

[ghodaddyyo]

Work? Oh yeah! Thats why I'm sitting at this computer, and I have to bury my browser behind my other applications! I wonder if my productivity has dwindled since I started posting? http://www.zentao.com/ubb/confused.gif

[CyberCobre]

Statistics show that allowing workers to take small breaks to interact with others of their choice and to take "surf breaks" increases productivity. http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Smthng2Do]

Thanks. I wish I could take surf breaks "at" work, but no can do. Good thing I got one of these things at home to talk to you guys with, or I would have dropped my dosage a long time ago. Got the "a" now. I can bar all three with my index finger, or Number one finger. And now I am struggling with the "G" chord. I'll stick with it though until I find the right fingers. I played Kumbaya last night, yeehaw. Man I need some rock!! But I guess with three chords, I can start to make some good sound anyway. Oh well, now I'm babbling. Thanks for your help everyone!

[Josh]

Call me sloppy, but when I'm playing I usually just bar the three strings with one finger (pick a finger any finger) and not really worry about the E string. It never seems to sound right with the distortion I use anyway. And who wants a clean open A when there are so many harder chords to use in it's place?

[geoffreyt]

Only practice will bring you to smooth chord changes. There is a point at which the strength in your fingers, and right on up your arm, becomes great enough that you are not challenged by playing. At this point you will begin to hear the improvement strides that encourage further development. That A chord will fall right in line, and you will need have this technique up to speed as you begin "A" based Barre chords. LOL. Its all great fun. You'll get. No problem. I can hear your interest.

[frethog72]

Hey Josh I think the point is to play what you feel, but on the other hand if you are always wired and use distortion constantly you will eventually find youself in a situation were you will be at a loss for expression. I mean what about when you play a one member concert to the girl of your dreams or the night anyway.
Smthng 2do, the way I initially found the fingerings for all of the begining chords was when I was at a friends house and he told me about finger economy. I mean try using your smaller fingers. Stone's suggestion of the D shape is a good one that I never heard but I will and it to the old trick bag
OUt,
Mikey