Question

[tonywt]

Originally Posted by TomBishop

I too faced similar issues fingering the 'A' chord. After some practice, I've found the following fingering easier coming off a 'D' chord
2nd finger on the E (Forth string, Second Fret)
1st finger on the A (Thrid String, Second Fret)
3rd finger on the C# (Second String, Second Fret)

However, coming off the G7 or C chord, I find the following easier to manage
2nd finger on the E (Forth string, Second Fret)
3rd finger on the A (Thrid String, Second Fret)
4th finger on the C# (Second String, Second Fret)

You'll find the first fingering really fast switching between the 'D' and 'A' chord. So I guess it really depends on what you can manage with all of the strings sounding really clear.

Hope this Helps
Tom

What your post points out is, the fingering depends on confort... and on the piece you're playing. If your playing another chord somewhere up the neck, a barred variation may be more easier due to proximity for the chord change. I would say I use the standard fingering for the open A, but my fingers are just skinny enough to do it!

[Ross James]

Originally Posted by tonywt

What your post points out is, the fingering depends on confort... and on the piece you're playing. If your playing another chord somewhere up the neck, a barred variation may be more easier due to proximity for the chord change. I would say I use the standard fingering for the open A, but my fingers are just skinny enough to do it!

I don't know why people want to try squashing three fingers into this area. As I said in my earlier post, just flatten the first part of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd finger across all three strings. If you use the 3rd finger, you're set for bar chords.

[Billyb]

Try barring just the 2nd, 3rd & 4th strings,on the 2nd fret, not worrying so much about ringing the open E string. I turn my 1st finger inward when I do this,using the edge of my finger instead of it being flat. Later, while doing this try stretching your pinky over the 1st,& 2nd strings on the 5th fret. You'll like the sound of that.

[Ross James]

Originally Posted by Billyb

Try barring just the 2nd, 3rd & 4th strings,on the 2nd fret, not worrying so much about ringing the open E string. I turn my 1st finger inward when I do this,using the edge of my finger instead of it being flat. Later, while doing this try stretching your pinky over the 1st,& 2nd strings on the 5th fret. You'll like the sound of that.

Then go one step further for the next chord - drop the pinky back to the 4th fret to play what I think would be an beautiful A maj7dim5, which screams to be followed by an E maj chord. (Perhaps you can find a simpler name.)

Of course, the pinky can just go on the 1st string also for the A maj.

[Billyb]

Originally Posted by Ross James

Then go one step further for the next chord - drop the pinky back to the 4th fret to play what I think would be an beautiful A maj7dim5, which screams to be followed by an E maj chord. (Perhaps you can find a simpler name.)

Of course, the pinky can just go on the 1st string also for the A maj.

Sounds good Ross, the icing would be a blues pentatonic in an E, maybe with some double stops.

[dajman]

Originally Posted by TomBishop

I too faced similar issues fingering the 'A' chord. After some practice, I've found the following fingering easier coming off a 'D' chord
2nd finger on the E (Forth string, Second Fret)
1st finger on the A (Thrid String, Second Fret)
3rd finger on the C# (Second String, Second Fret)

However, coming off the G7 or C chord, I find the following easier to manage
2nd finger on the E (Forth string, Second Fret)
3rd finger on the A (Thrid String, Second Fret)
4th finger on the C# (Second String, Second Fret)

You'll find the first fingering really fast switching between the 'D' and 'A' chord. So I guess it really depends on what you can manage with all of the strings sounding really clear.

Hope this Helps
Tom

I've always played my A chord exactly as you describe above, using the 2nd,3rd and 4th fingers. I learnt it this way by mistake, but realized it was OK when I discovered the bar chords. As you march down the neck, A Bflat B C etc, using the A shape, so you realize that after all it was not so much of a mistake to learn the A chord that way.
Good luck
dajman