Fingering I-V

[tobie]

A quick rookie question: if you play the root notes of the I & V chord intermittently, how do you finger them? For example: if you play the I note on the A string and the V note on the E string (same fret), do you hold both strings down with one finger or do you move the finger from string to string intermittently (if so, it might actually help with blocking the played string)?

If you play the I note on the E string and the V higher up on the A string, how do you finger them? It feels as if my hand is not wide enough to keep my 2nd finger at I and the pinkie at the V! Again - do you just hold them down all the time?

[Gawd]

it depends on the position my hand would be in. But I'd probably try to be in a position where I could either play both I and V with my index, or a position to play the I with my pinky, and the V with my ring.

[mambo4]

Usually i fret the note i'm playing and leave my finger on the string (but not fretting) for muting the note I'm not playing.

when playing the V below the I, I use index and middle fingers but occasionally I'll bar both strings ( usually when it's I-V on D and G strings, using my pinkie)

when playing V above the I, Index on root and pinkie on V.
OR, occasionally, it's useful to play the root with my pinkie and the V with my index, 2 strings up and 4 frets back:
----------------------------------
-------------2--------------------
----------------------------------
---5------------------------------

[4bpauly]

do whatever feels comfortable and keeps the notes clean and clear.

for the I/V motion (down a string) i typically use two fingers. but that would also depend on your string spacing and where on the neck you are playing it

for the I/V motion up a string i use either index/pinky or index/ring depending on where it is and how long i am gonna be there (a whole disco song.. it is much easier index to pinkie..no stretch or strain on the wrist)... if you want to use your middle for the root then use the pinkie for the 5, make sur eyour left thumb is in the middle of the back of the neck , it will ease the strain on the rest of your hand.