Barr the pinky on a powerchord

[Jasper_e]

When I do a powerchord which includes the pinky like this:

E A D G B E
-----------
| | | | | |
1 | | | | |
| | | | | |
----------
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
----------
| | | | | |
| 3 4 | | |
| | | | | |

I often barr the A and D string with my third finger. This is easier for me and this way I can also mute the G, B and E in case I accidentally hit these strings with the pick.

What do you guys think about this, smart, not smart, stupid? :)

[GuitarGuillermo]

I dont have that kind of pinky dexterity personally, but if it works for you then it works for you (i.e. if you can do that with your pinky congratulations). What i do is kind of semi-bar the first finger so it mutes all the strings except the root. then i add the fifth and octave with my second and third fingers.

[cyberfret]

Personally I would suggest using your 3 and 4 finger in most situations. It is your first finger that you will use to mute the 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings. In my experience with students, those that insist on barring those 2 string instead of using 2 different finger accidentally barre the 3rd string as well. That creates a different type of chord which is not a power chord.

In the end everyone's hands are different, and if you find that is the way that you are able to play the chord.....do it. I am pretty anal about fingerings for chords, so if you were taking private lessons from me....you would be using 3 and 4 :D

--Shawn