# Johnny Marr's open string secret

> The Smiths guitarist mastered rhythm by combining open strings with modified chord shapes for jangly, colorful sounds.
- Title: Johnny Marr's open string secret · Guitar World | Shortify
- Summary: The Smiths guitarist mastered rhythm by combining open strings with modified chord shapes for jangly, colorful sounds. Use open strings with modified barre…
- Keywords: johnny marr, the smiths, rhythm guitar, open strings, chord voicings, barre chords, guitar technique, 1980s guitar, jangly chords, guitar lesson, Johnny, Marr's
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/if-you-learn-one-thing-from-johnny-marr
- Published: 2026-09-23T16:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: johnny marr, the smiths, rhythm guitar, open strings, chord voicings, barre chords, guitar technique, 1980s guitar, jangly chords, guitar lesson
## Johnny Marr's rhythm mastery
One of the 1980s' most individual guitarists, Johnny Marr built his style around extensive use of open strings combined with modified chord shapes.
## Modified barre chords with open strings
Instead of barring all six strings, Marr re-fingers barre chords and adds one or two open strings to create jangly chords with personality.
## Adding extensions with open strings
Open strings applied to common major and minor shapes add extensions like 6ths, 9ths, or 11ths, creating richer chord colors.
## Two-finger chords with open strings
Marr uses two-finger chord shapes with open strings ringing underneath, creating big colorful sounds that move quickly around the neck.
## Triads with open string extensions
Playing triads against open strings creates extended chords like Em, D6add11, and Cmaj7 with more color than standard voicings.
## Focus on the top four strings
Marr often works with just the top four strings, using triads with open string extensions to create busy rhythm parts that don't clutter the low end.
## Using a capo to brighten chords
When larger chords sound muddy, Marr uses a capo at the 2nd or 4th fret to brighten the tone and open up the chord sound.
## Creating movement within one chord
Marr uses different voicings and open string variations of the same underlying chord to create the illusion of harmonic movement.
## This Charming Man in action
Syncopated uptempo picking combined with enriching open strings makes the chords more unique than full barre shapes would provide.
## Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
Major 7ths, chiming strums, intricate cross-picking and open strings feature clearly in this live performance.
## Key takeaway

Use open strings with modified barre chords and two-finger shapes to create personality and movement in your rhythm playing without cluttering the low end.