[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

I myself use Kurt Cobain's mutated power chords using only the index and ring finger rather then the standard three finger set up.

 

for reggae I confuse the hell out of people by insisting on using the Bob Marley chords by playing the major and minor chords with the index and middle fingers on the higher strings rather then barring down with the pad of the index finger standard style.

 

and lastly, though I have not the dexterity to use my thumb, I also have Hendrix's habit of using the pinky finger to play power chords cobain style rather then standard.

 

these are my bastardized guitar playing styles which tend to confuse people who are more purists when you are playing together and they are watching your hands to find their place...

what do y'all players do that is far from standard?

[jon boy]

 

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by jon boy

 

 

[o'connor]

i too use the cobain power chord, and tend to just use 1 or 2 fingers on the frets while i play. i'm not very good

[atsonicpark]

Hmm, I thought you only played power chords with 2 fingers.

Anyway, I play like Polvo and Captain Beefheart members and John Fahey and Erase Errata chick and Sir Richard bishop all in one. But not as good.

[pbradley]

I'm too self taught to know whether I'm doing the standard way or not. I'm probably way off.

[Death & the Maiden]

I use my first and fourth fingers when doing power chords. I thought you were supposed to use your first and third.
I hold my guitar pick differently to most people, which often leads to me snapping the pick in half.
If I'm playing a chord like D/F#, I'll use my thumb over the top of the guitar neck. I'm told this is what Jimi Hendrix did.

[Sonic Youth 37]

I sometimes use my thumb and middle/ring finder to fret chords like Hendrix.
I also pick in very strange manners sometimes akin to "slamming" the pick in the string or using the tip of my thumb to pick.
My "solo" style is very much like that of Jack White. Lots of fast picking on the bottom 2 strings from underneath and a lot of of alternating high and low neck work.

[uhler]

i don't play chords.

[ZEROpumpkins]

Originally Posted by Death & the Maiden

I use my first and fourth fingers when doing power chords. I thought you were supposed to use your first and third.
I hold my guitar pick differently to most people, which often leads to me snapping the pick in half.
.

Haha I do both of these.

[charles eugene]

u should definitley use your 1st finger on the root and 3rd and 4th on the next two strings. using just your index and ring is a bad habit to get into, but if thats your thing whatever. i cant really say what crappy techniques ive picked up, but theres prolly a bunch.

[demonrail666]

Interesting this, as the issue raised it's head with me recently. I'm learning to play guitar and recentlly bought a multi-track recorder. Worked out some really basic stuff and, when I listened back, everything sounded exactly like crap versions of Action Swingers songs. So I'd have to say Ned Hayden.

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by charles eugene

u should definitley use your 1st finger on the root and 3rd and 4th on the next two strings. using just your index and ring is a bad habit to get into, but if thats your thing whatever. i cant really say what crappy techniques ive picked up, but theres prolly a bunch.

yes, that is the "standard" chord, however it is impossible to play fast punk with the three finger form, you have to have some strong fucking pinky fingers!

[pbradley]

Caring about the proper way to play guitar is contrary to my definition of rock music. I play music in order to escape from limitations.

[Torn Curtain]

Originally Posted by pbradley

Caring about the proper way to play guitar is contrary to my definition of rock music. I play music in order to escape from limitations.

That's a bit pompously said but that's true, it's only in classical guitar playing that you have to strictly care about positions and rules (and in fact a few known classical guitar players even did not respect some of those rules).

[charles eugene]

The "proper" techniques are there for a reason, it seems like a bitch at first but it pays off in the end allowing you to have no limitations, thats the whole point being able to express without limitation through the guitar.

But yea its in no way required, anyone can play however the fuck they want.

[pbradley]

Originally Posted by Torn Curtain

That's a bit pompously said but that's true, it's only in classical guitar playing that you have to strictly care about positions and rules (and in fact a few known classical guitar players even did not respect some of those rules).

You're a bit pompously said. *sticks out tongue*

[pbradley]

Originally Posted by charles eugene

The "proper" techniques are there for a reason, it seems like a bitch at first but it pays off in the end allowing you to have no limitations, thats the whole point being able to express without limitation through the guitar.

Like playing in standard tuning?

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by charles eugene

The "proper" techniques are there for a reason, it seems like a bitch at first but it pays off in the end allowing you to have no limitations, thats the whole point being able to express without limitation through the guitar.

But yea its in no way required, anyone can play however the fuck they want.

this is very true, sometimes rules are not just made to be broken, they are the result of experience. even when you break the rules, there are rules to breaking the previous rules. that being said, eventually all guitar players will return to elements of standard.