Power Chords - Index/ring or Index/pinky fingers

[shadowalk]

It has always been index/pinky for me. I tried doing index/ring but it feels weird and I feel more comfortable and more grip with the index/pinky. Mayhaps one of these days I'll start practicing using index/ring as well and see how is it like if used with index/pinky.



I'm assuming there are other factors to consider. The most obvious one I could think of would be the type of guitar as a Gibson neck would most probably be worlds apart from an Ibanez Wizard neck.

[Verbal]

there is a third option of using your index finger for two strings

[Lavabug]

But I hear that makes you a shitty guitarist.

[Verbal]

way ahead of you, man

[deckard]

depends, usually index/pinky. i like to keep one finger per fret though.

[Anjel]

Index+ring. I always have the pinky under the ring though, on the string under so I can get the octave quickly if needed.



I never understood why you would want to use index+pinky for power chords, it's just two frets apart, especially on a guitar, which has such a small neck (compared to a bass).

[shadowalk]

[quote name="Anjel"]I never understood why you would want to use index+pinky for power chords, it's just two frets apart, especially on a guitar, which has such a small neck (compared to a bass).[/quote]

Some folk are born with small fingers. Which is why we love Ibanez necks. Mein first guitar was a Les Paul which belonged to a fellating lover of mine. It was good but then again, the neck... Which is why when I got my Ibanez, holy shit my determination to play kintar went up tenfold.

[Hugo.]

Its better practise to use 1+3 instead of 1+4. Its better for you hand posture as a guitarist. Yes, its easier with the pinky, but it shouldnt be about easy.

[Anjel]

[quote name="shadowalk"]
[quote name="Anjel"]I never understood why you would want to use index+pinky for power chords, it's just two frets apart, especially on a guitar, which has such a small neck (compared to a bass).[/quote]

Some folk are born with small fingers. Which is why we love Ibanez necks. Mein first guitar was a Les Paul which belonged to a fellating lover of mine. It was good but then again, the neck... Which is why when I got my Ibanez, holy shit my determination to play kintar went up tenfold.[/quote]



Yeah I have small hands/fingers as well... I still don't get it.

[zim]

i play power chords with index + pinky - i've always found it more comfortable



i knew a hard-on bearer that used his index and middle finger for power chords.... what the blue fuck

[M.Bison]

Personally, I use my nipple and my big toe

[jawn galliano]

for straight fifths i usually stick with the pinky even though i know it's bad practice. if i'm throwing an octave on top i do it proper-like though

[Hallucinating dead]

[quote name="zim"]

i knew a hard-on bearer that used his index and middle finger for power chords.... what the blue fuck [/quote]



I also know an example, and he thinks he is a pro because he can do that

[Holocaust]

1 + 4 for ein octave



otherwise, it must be 1 + 3 + 4

[Lavabug]

I do whatever I feel like, all 3 fingers, 1&4, 1&3, switching between them a lot. Helps minimize string noise between slides and/or string skipping.

[Lavabug]

[quote name="Skinoperable"]that seems really inefficient



just do it the same way all the time. they're power chords, not sexual positions.[/quote]

I'll do it the way I find most suitable instead of forcing it. If it sounds good, who gives a shit?

[Holocaust]

Versatility

[neckred]

index and ring finger, it's how I learned it, plus keeps the pinky ready for some fretting, it's actually not easier for me to use my pinky with my freakish hands



also one duder above, if you can't fret clean without alternating, you might want to just work on your playing, or practice without distortion

[Haunty]

Index and ring, or else I have to really scrunch up my fingers. Plus it's the right way.

[shadowalk]

Is there really actually a 'right way' and does it really matter if you follow it? Or is it subjective with many factors to consider (e.g. size of the player's hand, type of guitar, style of music to be played)?

[neckred]

there is actually only one right way, which ever way makes the specific player play to the best of their ability

[Devy]

I use the thumb on my right hand and the ring finger on my left hand. You're all queer for doing it the way you do.

[Hallucinating dead]

I let my unconscious put my fingers, the way it likes..

[Verbal]

are you angela

[Devy]

Well that's a hell of a thing right there.

[zim]

[quote name="Verbal"]are you angela[/quote]

[Hallucinating dead]

could be

[Lavabug]

[quote name="Skinoperable"]
[quote name="Lavabug"]
[quote name="Skinoperable"]that seems really inefficient



just do it the same way all the time. they're power chords, not sexual positions.[/quote]

I'll do it the way I find most suitable instead of forcing it. If it sounds good, who gives a shit?[/quote]



it just seems odd, is all. it'd be like using a different fingering each time you played an open C.



"whatever MAN i use fingerings you haven't even heard of"[/quote]

Not really, because there's only one comfortable way of playing a C unless you have seriously deformed fingers. I only use 1-3 or 1-4 if I want to make transitions as fluid as possible. I don't really NEED to do it, but the fruital dm band I played in for a while had many fast shiftings between not-so-close chords on the bottom 4 strings, so I picked up that habit. It would have been a lot harder to execute the songs properly if I had been dead set on only using one fingering technique.

[Hugo.]

1+3 leaves you open to do powerchords with 2+4 on the lower strings Ride the Lightning style

[zim]

[quote name="Zilly Toid"]1+3 leaves you open to do powerchords with 2+4 on the lower strings Ride the Lightning style [/quote]



you mean motherfucking dave mustaine style

[shadowalk]

spider chord

[neckred]

do not forget the penile fretting

[Hugo.]

[quote name="zim"]
[quote name="Zilly Toid"]1+3 leaves you open to do powerchords with 2+4 on the lower strings Ride the Lightning style [/quote]



you mean motherfucking dave mustaine style [/quote]

[quote name="shadowalk"]spider chord [/quote]

[quote name="neckred"]do not forget the penile fretting[/quote]



All of the above

[deckard]

spider chord