Powerchords - 2 or 3 fingers

HailHailVitalogy

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?

Jennytree

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!

DaytimeDilemma

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.

moster78

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.

MissYouAllDay

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.

Hitch-Hiker

I use 3 fingers too. 2 doesn't allow any versatility at all.

HailHailVitalogy

i just tried 3 fingers, i find 3 fingers harder but its easier to fit your middle finger in

FinsburyParkCarrots

I use three. It's easier, then, to switch to octaves as a start to a solo.

dont_go_on_me

i use three.

loveboatcaptain_blak

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.

desandrews

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.

House53

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...

57Goldtop

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.

uninnocent

it all depends upon where i'm coming from and where i'm going to on the fretboard.

FNYNKEZ

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.

Pearl Jam and toast

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.

Nevermind

I usually use 2 since I find it easier. I only use 3 when the song is a little difficult.

Eddie_Vedder_83

3, eventhough i play Bb with 2 most of the time, sounds better for whatever reason

loveboatcaptain_blak

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...

jeff's_the_man

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...

Squidge

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.