Chord change Am to G

ukumic · Oct 23, 2008

Hi,

I have a question about switching from Am to G. I guess the "proper" way of playing an Am chord is to place your middle finger on the 4th string, which comes in handy if the next chord is an F, for example. But what if the next chord is a G? For me it's easier to then use my index finger for the Am in order to quickly switch to G. So do you think there's a problem with that like losing flexibility, bad style in some way, etc.?

I might add that the thumb of my left hand is usually placed in the back of the center of the neck, so when switching from Am (using my middle finger) to G there is a small fraction of time where I'm not really holding the neck and it wants to drop. I hope you guys out there with (or without) the same problem know what I mean.

HaileISela · Oct 23, 2008

I think it's okay, though if you practice the other way it will become easy as well... I actually play the G different then most of the other people I've seen so far, I switched the middle and pointer fingers when I started the Uke, dunno why, but it totally works for me. so I think that thing with your a should not be a problem...

Nurdaben · Oct 23, 2008

I use my middle finger for Am.

NukeDOC · Oct 23, 2008

learn to play that Am with all five of your fingers. then, no matter what chord is coming next, you will be prepared.

its a chord that requires only 1 string to be fretted. in that sense, there is no improper way to play it, as long as you can do it without deadening or buzzing the C string.

seeso · Oct 23, 2008

ukumic said:
Hi,

I have a question about switching from Am to G. I guess the "proper" way of playing an Am chord is to place your middle finger on the 4th string, which comes in handy if the next chord is an F, for example. But what if the next chord is a G? For me it's easier to then use my index finger for the Am in order to quickly switch to G. So do you think there's a problem with that like losing flexibility, bad style in some way, etc.?

I wouldn't worry about what's proper or anything. It's an ukulele, not a violin. Use whatever finger you want. If it's more comfortable to fret it with your nose, then use your nose. Whatever works, my friend.

ukumic said:
I might add that the thumb of my left hand is usually placed in the back of the center of the neck, so when switching from Am (using my middle finger) to G there is a small fraction of time where I'm not really holding the neck and it wants to drop. I hope you guys out there with (or without) the same problem know what I mean.

There is a way to hold the uke so that you don't need your left hand as support at all. The forearm of your strumming hand should be applying slight pressure to the ukulele, keeping it against your body and off the floor.

If you can't hold the ukulele like this, you can get a strap, or you can just play sitting down and rest the uke on your lap.

deach · Oct 23, 2008

seeso said:
....
If you can't hold the ukulele like this, you can get a strap, or you can just play sitting down and rest the uke on your lap.

Double-sided tape works too.

NukeDOC · Oct 23, 2008

deach said:
Double-sided tape works too.

careful, he might end up with one ho' in the back of his uke trying to pry it from his belly. :biglaugh:

deach · Oct 23, 2008

NukeDOC said:
careful, he might end up with one ho' in the back of his uke trying to pry it from his belly. :biglaugh:

Ah, very true. Wear latex instead.

ukumic · Oct 24, 2008

Thanks! I especially liked the nose-thing...

Howlin Hobbit · Oct 26, 2008

seeso said:
It's an ukulele, not a violin.

Krusty the Clown said:
The ukulele is the thinking man's violin.

But more on topic... the proper way to finger a given chord is the easiest fingering to get to from the previous chord and from to the next chord.

seeso · Oct 26, 2008

Krusty the Clown said:
The ukulele is the thinking man's violin.

Is it alright if I use this as an opportunity to post a pic of myself as a Simpsons character?

ichadwick · Oct 27, 2008

NukeDOC said:
learn to play that Am with all five of your fingers. then, no matter what chord is coming next, you will be prepared.

Wow. I only have four fingers on either of my hands... that extra digit must make for some interesting chord constructions...

Kaneohe til the end · Oct 27, 2008

ichadwick said:
Wow. I only have four fingers on either of my hands... that extra digit must make for some interesting chord constructions...

he was talking about the thumb too.

h-drix · Oct 27, 2008

have your tried barring the G chord with your middle finger, then playing the E-string 3rd fret with your ring finger. It gets some practice to not mute the G string, but it helps for me.

NukeDOC · Oct 27, 2008

ichadwick said:
Wow. I only have four fingers on either of my hands... that extra digit must make for some interesting chord constructions...

actually i thought about that post for a good while. and i figured there would be a lot less people pointing out that i only have four fingers and one thumb on each hand as compared to how many people would try to point out that i forgot to mention one finger, had i said "all four fingers".

one of those damned if i do, damned if i dont situations. it was just a calculated scientific wild ass guess that there would be less smart-asses that would point out that the thumb is not a finger, than the other way around. hahaha.

on the other hand, i didnt wanna waste my breath (as i am now) by saying "learn to play that Am with all four fingers and your thumb". but i wanted to be clear that the thumb was included in that statement.

next time i will refer to them as "all five phalanges".

Lanark · Oct 29, 2008

seeso said:
If it's more comfortable to fret it with your nose, then use your nose. Whatever works, my friend.

Wolfgang Amadeus approves

Chord change Am to G

ukumic

Well-known member

HaileISela

Retired Moderator

Nurdaben

Well-known member

NukeDOC

Retired Mod

seeso

Super Duper Moderator (Retired)

deach

Well-known member

NukeDOC

Retired Mod

deach

Well-known member

ukumic

Well-known member

Howlin Hobbit

Well-known member

seeso

Super Duper Moderator (Retired)

ichadwick

Well-known member

Kaneohe til the end

Well-known member

h-drix

Well-known member

NukeDOC

Retired Mod

Lanark

Well-known member

Similar threads