Week 18 - 1 Finger chord grip

In this video

Technique Week 18 - One finger chords

Welcome to week 18 of the Technique weekly challenge!

A one finger chord may sound easy and it's certainly worth learning at the beginner level, but it becomes most useful in an intermediate setting for linking rhythm and lead, transitioning from open to barre chords and more! 

A Chord Variation

The open A major chord can be played in a multitude of ways!

1 Finger A Chord

  • The 1 finger A chord ‘pinches’ the neck between the 1st finger & base of the thumb

  • Pressure on the flat part of the 1st finger’s final knuckle allows the high E string to ring out along with the barred notes

Why Use It? 

  • 1 finger chords are a classic rock genre staple, featured  in many riffs

  • Using just the 1st finger for an open chord instantly sets  us up for bridging rhythm & lead playing with more appropriate technique & by freeing up the fingers too

  • With the 1st finger already barring, we can transition to other barre chords easier

  • Gives the finger tips a rest!