# Quick guitar poll: How do you play an open G chord? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 14, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477 "2010-03-14T21:06:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/21 "2010-03-15T03:16:54Z")
…oh, and don’t get me started with Open G tuning and the variants… ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/22 "2010-03-15T03:22:04Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > Anybody know the name of this chord? > > X32033 C major 9 (aka C add 9) ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/23 "2010-03-15T03:45:12Z")
> [@coffeecat](#): > > 320003 using the pinky like **11811** said. I don’t like the “pinky” version, however I’ll use it if a G7 is coming: it’s simple to lift the pinky and use the index for the F. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/24 "2010-03-15T04:41:24Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > I play one of three ways depending on the song and the transitions or sound that I need: > > 320004 > 210003 > 210034 Wait, is this thread about fingerings or frettings? I’m all confused now. I assumed fretting, so I answered 320033, with a 210034 fingering. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/25 "2010-03-15T04:54:15Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > C major 9 (aka C add 9) C (add 9) is correct; it is _not_ C major 9, which would require a B in the voicing. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/26 "2010-03-15T12:46:28Z")
The major chord is the fundamental, the 3rd, and the 5th, which in a C scale is C, E, and G. The C is on the 2nd string, the E is on the 3rd string, and the G is on the 4th string (and again on the 6th string). The 5th string is playing the 9th. Hence, C major 9 or C add 9. B on the C scale is the 7th, so adding a B would make it a C7 not a C major. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/27 "2010-03-15T13:16:19Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > The major chord is the fundamental, the 3rd, and the 5th, which in a C scale is C, E, and G. The C is on the 2nd string, the E is on the 3rd string, and the G is on the 4th string (and again on the 6th string). The 5th string is playing the 9th. Hence, C major 9 or C add 9. > > B on the C scale is the 7th, so adding a B would make it a C7 not a C major. Nope. C add 9 and C major 9 are two different chords. A major 9 chord _must include the major 7_ as well as the 9. C9 = C, E, G, Bb, D C major 9 = C, E, G, B, D C (add 9) = C, E, G, D ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/28 "2010-03-15T13:27:58Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Nope. C add 9 and C major 9 are two different chords. > > C9 = C, E, G, Bb, D > > C major 9 = C, E, G, B, D > > C (add 9) = C, E, G, D Yip. The upper two chords are technically shortened names. C9 is really C-dominant(minor)-7th-major-9th and CM9 is really C major 7th major 9th. The word major refers to the 7th, which is otherwise assumed to be dominant/minor. The whole reason the last chord has the word add in is to say that you merely need to add only the 9th, and not the 7th. Any number above 7 is assumed to have the 7th in it. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/29 "2010-03-15T13:39:44Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > Something else… I mute the fifth string with the finger that frets the sixth. I fret the second string about half the time, so it ends up being either 3x0033 or 3x0003. > [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Same here. Double ditto. I don’t think I hardly ever use the 320033 version tough, I’m more of a pinky guy, so I can go to the C7-major-9th-suspended-with-a-double-overhead-flange-and-a-demiglaze-topping, or whatever that other chord is (3X2013). ---
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/30 "2010-03-15T13:39:48Z")
320033 or 3X0033, which is actually a G5 as far as I know ---
**Author:** ![CateAyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@CateAyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CateAyo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/31 "2010-03-15T14:36:13Z")
I play primarily blues and bluegrass and have always played 300003, but I also always play G-runs out of that configuration with my thumb. It looks awkward but I’ve done it so long it seems natural to me. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/32 "2010-03-15T14:46:15Z")
320033 moves into a D xx0232 so much more easily with the ring finger on the B string. When I first started out, I played it 320003, but I learned the 320033 from the Indigo Girls’ song “Closer to Fine” which keeps the ring finger in the same place for the verses. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/33 "2010-03-15T15:01:26Z")
320033, with the pinky covering the high notes these days since my arthritis prevents me from being able to bend my ring finger at the first knuckle any more (I’ve had to learn to refinger a lot of things because of the limited use of my ring finger. I can’t shred like I used to anymore. I’ve had to learn to simplify, paraphrase and use smoke and mirrors). I learned the G5 fingering from Van Halen’s first album in the 80’s. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/34 "2010-03-15T15:03:16Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > I play one of three ways depending on the song and the transitions or sound that I need: > > 320004 > 210003 > 210034 None of those are G chords, unless you’re using the numbers to designate fingers rather than frets. The question in the OP is basically about whether or not you leave the B string open or close it to a D on the 3rd fret for G chords. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/35 "2010-03-15T15:34:02Z")
I think the Barre chord on the 3rd fret (E shape) sounds really good. 355433 ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/36 "2010-03-15T15:35:55Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > None of those are G chords, unless you’re using the numbers to designate fingers rather than frets. That was confusing me too. I was all set to go home and try out some new chords. Like maybe the one that David played that it pleased the Lord or something. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/37 "2010-03-15T15:44:58Z")
My guitar teacher started me out with 320033, but it’s taken a while for me to figure out how to consistently get my hand into that position. He’s since also shown me 300033, which he calls “cheater’s G”, and is far easier for me to hit. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/38 "2010-03-15T15:51:06Z")
You have to mute that open A, though, or you’re going to get a suspended 2. It should be 3x0033. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/39 "2010-03-15T15:56:40Z")
I play only classical guitar - never got the hang of that pick it up and strum it stuff. To me, play a G chord means 320003 using the pinky unless the sheet music states a different fingering. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477/40 "2010-03-15T15:58:43Z")
Closing that B to a D makes the chord ring out stronger and “crunchier” through a distorted electric. The more 5ths the better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-guitar-poll-how-do-you-play-an-open-g-chord/532477.md?page=3)