Originally Posted by: Sleepers Hill Can I mix and match the two shapes .....?
Hi Tim 😀
My "two bob's worth".
[u]Concise answers[/u].
1. Yes.
2. You're not over-analysing.
[u]Elaborative response[/u].
Re 2. You've reached that point where that "either, or both, and when" question quite naturally arises.
Re 1. The following is my personal pragmatic conclusion based upon my own limited experience, current playing tactility and applied logic. I can now (have for a long while) and do use both fingerings easily and subliminally just as I do with e.g. E, G, F and other open (& barre) chords. The choice is usually a considered conscious one initially, but within each learned song, contingent to the context of the riff I'm playing. In practise, I can readily switch between either form for Em, and many other songs, both independently and contextually. As an exercise, an easy song to practise this with is the repetitive rhythm part cum campfire version of America's "A Horse With No Name" where the simple driving verse riff can be played played alternately using either fingers 1 & 2 or 2 & 3. By alternating, I mean play the riff with one finger config or the other entire, then switch and play it with the second until you have the dexterity to perform using either at will. The skill will carry over to other material.
It just makes sense, for precisely the reasoning you presented. e.g. When I'm playing "Your Gonna' Lose That Girl", Lennon's rhythm part (key of E) for instance, there's a change from B7 to E in the verse's riff which then proceeds to alternating barre chords within it and preceding the change to the key of G of the chorus. Playing that E within the context of this song with fingers 2, 3 & 4 instead of 1, 2 & 3 just better facilitates the fingering flow of the riff. Similarly playing the chorus, I alternate between the open chords G, C & F & barre G, C, & F. They give the song a different timbre, and of course practising it both ways enhances my dexterity & flexibility and being able to do so at will easily, all important confidence.
In my experience and reckoning, as a generalisation and specific to your question re open Em, both forms become natural or instinctive with time and exposure, like the multiple ways to play a barre major with either finger 3 only or fingers 2, 3, 4 fingering the chord notes, or ?
Lastly a consideration. Of course, the forefinger #1 is for most of us is the strongest finger, with respectively fingers 2 & 3 being stronger, longer and generally more flexible & muscularly responsive than the pinky #4. For me, provided both forms make the notes of the chord ring out tonally as desired, I use whichever form advantages ease of play. This coincides with a tip offered me by a luthier I consult who has also been a pub band player for 25 years as his evening/second job. He advised to use the fingering which facilitates ease and thus speed whenever possible where it's tonally acceptable.
Long winded answer I know. Just sharing perspectives gleaned from part of my journey so far with you.
Cheers 😺ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾
