Am/G# Chord

Observer · #1 April 2nd, 2007

Any ideas how to finger this chord? It is given as (402210) and the progression for the song I'm currently learning should go like: Am, Am/G#, Am/G, F, G.
The 4th fret is well out of my thumb's reach (when fingering the Am chord)... so is there a way to play it?

Fretsource · #2 April 2nd, 2007

Yes, that's the most usual fingering for Am/G#. It might be that your hand position is at fault. Keep your thumb behind the neck for that shape (pointing up - not to the nut) and don't worry if you unintentionally mute the open A string as it usually clashes too strongly with the G# anyway.

Ben_Sir_Amos · #3 April 2nd, 2007

Because I'm very lazy. I would play the Am as a bar chord at the 5th fret (Em shape) fretting the 6th string with my thumb. Then it is easy to slide the thumb down one fret to the G# (well, easy for me). To my ears this sounds stronger than the way you are trying to play it.

Hope this helps

solidwalnut · #4 April 2nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Observer

Any ideas how to finger this chord? It is given as (402210) and the progression for the song I'm currently learning should go like: Am, Am/G#, Am/G, F, G.
The 4th fret is well out of my thumb's reach (when fingering the Am chord)... so is there a way to play it?

Well I guess it depends on the song. But usually the 'slash' chord indicates that the bass guitar would play the G#. But since you indicate that the tab says that the chord contains the G# when playing an Am chord I have to wonder. Are you sure that's the way it's played? That's a pretty healthy stretch for playing an Am chord at the same time (I'm sure some people can do it, but I can't) so it makes me wonder whether or not the tab you got for the song is accurate. If the guitar is playing a G# bass note with the Am, there might be another substitute chord actually used. Can you give us a link to the song or just tell us which song it is?

Steve

Observer · #5 April 2nd, 2007

Sure. The song is Blur - Out Of Time. Here's the link I'm using: http: //www .guitaretab. com/b/blur/25262.html

Fretsource · #6 April 2nd, 2007

Steve, I think the sheet is probably right. It's not too uncommon - and it turns up quite a lot in classical too. That's why I was telling Observer to get his thumb in the classical position. That's the only way that I can reach it.

Observer · #7 April 2nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretsource

Steve, I think the sheet is probably right. It's not too uncommon - and it turns up quite a lot in classical too. That's why I was telling Observer to get his thumb in the classical position. That's the only way that I can reach it.

Ok I gave that a go right now, and my thumb can just barely make it past the 3rd fret (time for some stretching exercises? lol)... it doesn't sound bad, though. I also tried Ben_Sir_Amos's method but it seems even more difficult lol. Anyway, thanks! I'll keep practising

solidwalnut · #8 April 2nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretsource

Steve, I think the sheet is probably right. It's not too uncommon - and it turns up quite a lot in classical too. That's why I was telling Observer to get his thumb in the classical position. That's the only way that I can reach it.

Ahh...I didn't think about the classical position.

Fretsource · #9 April 2nd, 2007

You can always simplify it. The reason the G# is there is because it's part of a descending bass line A - G# - G - F# - F. If you don't need the descending bass line, just play Am instead of Am/G# and Am/G. As Steve said, if you had a bass guitarist, they would be playing that descending bass line anyway.

solidwalnut · #10 April 2nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Observer

Sure. The song is Blur - Out Of Time. Here's the link I'm using: http: //www .guitaretab. com/b/blur/25262.html

I guess I need to hear it. There was a link to the tune on YouTube but it was yanked for copyright violation.

Kirk Lorange · #11 April 2nd, 2007

Use your pinkie!

Ben_Sir_Amos · #12 April 2nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Observer

The 4th fret is well out of my thumb's reach (when fingering the Am chord)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Observer

my thumb can just barely make it past the 3rd fret (time for some stretching exercises? lol).

I'm still not sure what you are trying to stretch to with your thumb. If you can't do my lazy version, I'm with Kirk: stretch that pinkie.

Fretsource · #13 April 2nd, 2007

I just realised from Kirk's post you were trying to reach the fourth fret with your thumb and not your pinkie!!! Is that right?

That'll teach me to read more carefully in future

Stratrat · #14 April 2nd, 2007

After reading this thread I just tried that chord using my pinkie - man, that's a S-T-R-E-T-C-H! I can reach it, but barely - and I sure wouldn't want to try changing to it in the middle of a progression!

Observer · #15 April 3rd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretsource

I just realised from Kirk's post you were trying to reach the fourth fret with your thumb and not your pinkie!!! Is that right?

That'll teach me to read more carefully in future

Yes that's right!

I tried the pinkie and, just like stratrat said, it is a STRETCH and very awkward. It would ruin the flow of the song. I've found a temporary solution though... instead of the original bass progression, I'm doing Am/G, Am/F#. In other words: (302210) then (202210). Fits the song quite nicely and it's not so cruel to my fingers!