How To Play The A Chord

HI @Is_It_Possible,

Here’s how I do it, hope it helps:

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Thanks so much [Jozsef]

It seems a bit easier to place my fingers like you did, bringing the middle finger in at the end. After a few strums listening to which strings my digits are hitting that they should not I can adjust to actually play the cord. Yeah!
Now it still takes me about 8 seconds to get it right and I have to look but this is better than where I was yesterday. Thanks again.

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Here is a screenshot taken at 40secs.

What you are seeing as a double bend is a trick of the camera angle. Justin’s finger is bending at each joint but is not pushed out sideways from those joints. Each finger is touching its neighbour to adjust to the position but there is no bizarre physical trick taking place. Note the first finger is quite far back from the 2nd fret wire and that is totally fine and necessary for this chord grip.

Cheers :smiley:
| Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Moderator

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I’m finding the switch to 2-1-3 from 1-2-3 a bit tricky even though I hadn’t played an A for quarter of a century :sweat_smile: It’s amazing how many things we commit to muscle memory but I’m sure I’ll “unlearn” my old way because I want to try and learn everything precisely as laid out on the course.

Also finding it really hard to resist the urge to put in loads of minutes and progress. I know that’ll shoot me in the foot because my soft fingers are already moaning at me.

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I’m on old-schooler who learned 1, 2, 3.
It tends to be my ‘default’ even though I did make myself learn 2, 1, 3.
I also use 2, 3, 4 at times.
What I now have, having learned several fingerings, is that I can consciously choose whichever is best, most efficient and optimal based on the chord I’m coming from and / or going to.

Cheers :smiley:
| Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide

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That was how I learned A, due to my fat fingertips. I wish now that I’d found 213 instead!

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I’m afraid the way he teaches does not work for me. I just cannot replace that two finger, so all I am left is playing it normally. But it is extremely difficult for me to jam 3 fingers at that little place available. In most cases this does not even sound good, D string sounds flat. :frowning:

For me this is the most difficult chord so far, I have learnt a few other by myself.

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On the plus side, we then move onto E, Em and Am, all of which are pretty basic. Dm is a touch fiddlier but in general the 4 of them are fine. Just do what you can with the A and get it as good as you reasonably can and then move on.

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Have you tried both approaches viz fingers 1 2 3 and 2 1 3 on the D G B strings respectively.

If so then perhaps try the mini-barre. I forget when Justin introduces that option and it may have a downside when shifting from A to D or E as one learns some of those first songs, since the anchor finger aid available when using 2 1 3 will not be possible. To play it that way use the first finger to hold down all three strings. Take care not to mute the open A string. Muting the open e string is fine, since you have all three notes that make up the chord on the A D G B strings.

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As @DavidP said if it really is that difficult (though most players find a way even if it takes more time and effort) the 1 finger A is a great option. Trouble is you lose the advantage of anchor fingers which is a huge advantage going forward.

You will find your own way dude

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I tried the one finger method. Strings D and G are fine but B and E are dead that way. I cannot press all 3 with one finger properly.

It seems that no matter how clumsy it is, for me the best option of all the worst ones is 1, 2, 3.

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Nothing wrong with using 1, 2, 3 - that seems to be the way the chord has been taught traditionally for generations. Don’t let this chord slow you down too much. Keep working on it, of course, but don’t stop moving forward at the same time. It is not easy, but remember that the only pressure here is the pressure you are putting on yourself. There is no time schedule or supervisor evaluating you on this. You’ve got all of us here telling you that if you continue to work on this and trust yourself and Justin then you will get it. We’ve all been where you are with this!

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I’m much more resilient than just to give it up. :slight_smile:

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Millions learned this way so if it works for you then fine, do what is needed.
Cheers :smiley:
| Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide

Hello!
I am in my 4th week of practicing and I am still unable to get rid of my finger pains, especially when I am playing chord A on my finger 1 ( index ) pressing the G string. I simply cannot make it sound clear all the time while playing a song. First 20-30 second it is alright, the pain is acceptable and I can press hard enough to make it sound good, but after that I simply cannot endure the pain anymore and I am getting the muted/buzzing note. The fact that the finger is at 3/4 of the fret makes my life so hard. The other string sounds great, the D chord is again great, but this one chord A destroys my motivation.

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After 4 weeks I’d say that you really shouldn’t be feeling much (ideally any) pain. Is there a chance the issue is with the guitar rather than you? If the action is high it means you need to apply more pressure than is ideal to get a good sounding note so actually you could be doing everything just right, but the guitar could be the issue.

My acoustic was a bit tough to play and I wasn’t sure if it was me or it. I took it to a local guitar specialist and he lowered the action and now it’s actually easier to play than my electric in many ways. It might be worth looking into this if you haven’t already done so.

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I’m with Charlie on this one - I would look into getting your guitar setup. The A chord is definitely challenging, but it shouldn’t be that difficult after a few weeks. Maybe head to the music store and see if you can try out a few other guitars there to see if it feels better. I’m not saying go buy another guitar, necessarily! If it feels better on other guitars then chances are very good that you can spend a reasonable amount of money and make your own guitar much better.

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Another reason I prefer the way Justin teaches the A chord instead of a mini-barre is that it’s really easy to switch to A7, Asus2, and Asus4, only having to move one finger instead of changing grips completely.

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I wonder if the 213 fingering came from Australia. I bought a book and tape on rhythm guitar many moons ago and the voice on the tape had an Aussie accent. The book taught the same way as Justin and it changed my life.

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Great to see I’m not the only one who uses 234 :smile:

I’ve got ‘fat’ fingers so in my early days of being self-taught I found 234 far easier than 123. Having discovered Justin I’m now working through courses from the beginning and trying 213.

Having played guitar for years I find it’s basically a case of trying to adapt Amaj7 by pushing my index finger into the second fret. I agree that knowing different fingering for the same chord can be very useful so this is one that I think I’ll stick at practicing.

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