Powerchords - 2 or 3 fingers

HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,222
edited August 2005 in Musicians and Gearheads
do you use 2 or 3 fingers?

i use 2 (index and ring)
ex:
A - 7 (1st Finger)
D - 9 (3rd Finger)
G - 9 (3rd Finger)

some people use 3 fingers
ex:
A - 7 (1st Finger)
D - 9 (3rd Finger)
G - 9 (4th Finger)

what do you use?
2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
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Comments

  • JennytreeJennytree Posts: 5,340
    I use three fingers... I just don't have the strength in two fingers to play it... plus the action is really high on my guitar so I need a good bit of pressure on the strings!
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  • 2...ewwww....I used to use 2 fingers when I was starting out playing guitar, 3 is just easier and you can add variations and such. I will use 2 if I'm playing a simpler power chord with just the root and the fifth...or as I call it...the Metallica-form-powerchord.
  • moster78moster78 Posts: 1,591
    I do it with three, that way if I need to add my middle finger to the fourth string down I can. Plus I just plain suck at barring chords to begin with.
  • 3 fingers here, pointer ring and pinky. I think it would make you a slopier player to play them with 2 fingers. Like not enough pressure would cause buzzing and stuff sometimes.
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  • Hitch-HikerHitch-Hiker Posts: 2,873
    I use 3 fingers too. 2 doesn't allow any versatility at all.
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  • i just tried 3 fingers, i find 3 fingers harder but its easier to fit your middle finger in
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    I use three. It's easier, then, to switch to octaves as a start to a solo.
  • i use three.
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  • three. not only is it easyer to use your middle finger but i also find it easyer to switch to other chords as well.

    my freind uses 2 and he seems very sloppy with his chords. but im sure every1 is different.
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  • desandrewsdesandrews Posts: 143
    I use three as well. It's the...

    E - 0
    B - 0
    G - 4
    D - 4
    A - 4
    E - 2

    ...types that really kill me. I just butcher any chord that requires my ring finger to press 3 strings.
  • House53House53 Posts: 1,276
    I use two, leaves more fingers for variations and rhtyhm playing (ala Chuck Berry or Keith Richards) adding with your pinky I use my pointer and middle finger... then STRETCH with the pinky to add

    Like in A
    E - 5
    B - 5
    G - x
    D - 7 h9p h10p
    A - 7
    E - 5

    or use my pointer and ring and really stretch for the variations on the D string

    E - 5
    B - 5
    G - 6
    D - 7
    A - 7
    E - 5

    I typically only play the high E and B strings when wanting to accentuate the high end... when I am singing, I rarely bother. Just get the rhythm going...
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  • 57Goldtop57Goldtop Posts: 218
    Maybe I've been doing it wrong all these years. If I'm just playing power chords, like an A5, B5, etc. I use my pointer and pinky. It's just comfortable.
  • uninnocentuninnocent Posts: 1,565
    it all depends upon where i'm coming from and where i'm going to on the fretboard.
  • FNYNKEZFNYNKEZ Posts: 75
    depends on what I'm playing. Sometimes I use two (pointer and pinky) others I use 3 or even four. I all depends on on how I want the chord to ring out.
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  • i dont use them a lot but when i do i use 3 fingers.

    it makes a clearer sound and its easier to slide up and down accuratley.
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  • NevermindNevermind Posts: 1,006
    I usually use 2 since I find it easier. I only use 3 when the song is a little difficult.
  • 3, eventhough i play Bb with 2 most of the time, sounds better for whatever reason
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  • 57Goldtop wrote:
    Maybe I've been doing it wrong all these years. If I'm just playing power chords, like an A5, B5, etc. I use my pointer and pinky. It's just comfortable.

    thats how my brother does it. and trust me hes a damn good gutairist. i love to listen to him blast the alive solo or yellow ledbetter...
    i gather speed...from u fucking with me

    "i am the first man to shit my pants ya whew!"

    its no crime to escape..theres still time to escape...theres still time so escape...

    "yellow ledbetter is like the smoke after a 3 hour fuckfest" - 62strat

    st.louis 04, chicago 06, and counting...
  • if im playing mindless generic rock i use 2 fingers (index and pinky) however if a little flair and variation are needed then ill use 3 fingers and leave the pinky for adding in little fills and wotnot...
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  • SquidgeSquidge Posts: 145
    Thats wild man, i could never use just my index and pinky, where would the other fingers go.

    Each to his own i suppose, the guy who taught me my first barre chords taught me to do it with two fingers, i used tio but as i progress and needed the lower strings, i started to use three and my middle to hammer on if i needed.

    but hey, i suck at guitar.
  • well when i say 2 fingers i mean Index and Ring...
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
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