[broylestb]

A newbie question for those more experienced.

I'm trying to teach myself Behind Blue Eyes from the Who. Trying to play an A with my fingers in the positions from a chord chart is nearly impossible. So is Behind Blue Eyes without an A.

I can't get my fingers lined up inside the fret. There's not enough room for my fingers and I just can't get it right. Is it normal to try to change finger positions for an A or should just force myself to learn it the proper way per the chord chart?

[allthumbs]

Try these two tricks. The first one is to put the 3 and 2 fingers on the 4th and 3rd string first then slide the index finger up the 2nd string. Like sliding up from an Amin to an A. The second way is to put the 3 finger on the 4th string, the index on the second string and the second finger on the third string tight behind the other two fingers like the point of a triangle. Bonus, lift just the second finger and you have a simple A7. Hope that helps.

[krissovo]

Sorry cannot help too much but I just learnt that song this weekend and its a great song. Did it on my electric playing lead and rhythm. I did the rhythm arpeggio style, I still struggle a bit with A as I have a couple of issues. 1 I am missing a few millimeters off my LH ring finger and 2 I think I have the fattest fingers on the planet.

I have found that with practice I can fit my fingers on virtually any fret, I can now form the A cord even with a capo on the 6th fret. It does take a build up of callouses on those finger tips and one will be sat right ontop of the 6th fret and the ring finger sat on top of 8th fret. Ok its not quite 100% in sound but it will do, now when I do the without a capo it is almost perfect but it is my dodgy cord still.

[broylestb]

Thanks AT. I'll definetly try those for a while to see what works best. I don't want to pick up any bad habits but I'm also trying to figure out how stringent to stay to a chord chart while learning the basics.

[broylestb]

Thanks krissovo. I know what you mean about the fingers being right on top of the frets. I can't get the right sound out. Take a look at what allthumbs said and maybe that will help both of us out.

[Bennett]

I find it very difficult to fit my fingers into the 2nd fret for the A chord too.

For me I've found that the best configuration is: Index on the 3rd string, middle on the 4th and ring on the 2nd.

Similarly to AllThumbs' suggestion, just lift the index finger off and you have your A7.

Either way I'm sure you'll find a way that works best for you.

[Nem]

well technically the correct way to play an A major A shaped barre is with the middle, ring and pinky fingers because with a regulare A shapred barre, you do the actual barring with the index finger if you get what i mean

[cshude]

With some practice you can also get all three strings with just your index finger.

[Bennett]

Originally Posted by Nem

well technically the correct way to play an A major A shaped barre is with the middle, ring and pinky fingers because with a regulare A shapred barre, you do the actual barring with the index finger if you get what i mean

Although a lot of, if not most, people play it as a barre with the ring finger ... well, when using it in the context of an "A shaped" barre chord. So wouldn't this be the correct way technically?

[munky]

Originally Posted by cshude

With some practice you can also get all three strings with just your index finger.

I barre them all with my middle finger.

[Rockerbob]

I cheat most of the time. I barre the 3 strings with whichever finger is most convenient at the moment and I don't play the high E string.

[broylestb]

Well... I think I have the answer to my question. I don't have to play an A major per the chord chart. I'm going to try all these suggestions to see what works best for me.

I'll try to stick to the chord chart whenever possible but when I get hung up on something for a while I know where to get plenty of suggestions.

Thanks

[chrisd]

I think like me you know their is a right way and a wrong way of doing things. I find though music and all creative art forms are there to break the mould, do what feels best when playing and enjoy because that way you be better and more satisfied

[USGold]

OK--here's what I try to do--usually I just barre it (with my middle finger cause my index won't hold it w/o touching the E) but when I need to form the chord I place 2 and 3 (middle and ring) nearest the fret wire and 1(index) above them forming a sort of triangle.

[Big_Chris]

I also have fingers too large for the gaps in my strings so, I play the A with two fingers. The middle on the G + B the index finger on the D + G string.