The core of the "Jack Straw" verse is a simple but powerful movement between an E major chord and an Esus4. The 'sus' stands for 'suspended.' In this case, we're temporarily replacing the major third of the E chord (the G# note) with the fourth note of the E scale (an A note).

This isn't a full chord change in the traditional sense. It's more of a quick flourish or embellishment. To play it, start with a standard open E major chord. Then, to create the Esus4, simply add your pinky finger to the 2nd fret of the G string. This note is A. When you lift your pinky, you resolve back to the G# of the E major chord. This quick tension and release is what creates the song's signature rhythmic pulse.

This movement is designed for economy. Your hand stays in the same basic shape, and only one finger has to do the work. This allows you to play the riff cleanly and consistently, even at a brisk tempo.

The feel of this part comes from the timing. The Esus4 isn't held for a full beat. It's a quick flick that happens on the upbeat, creating a syncopated, swinging feel. Think of the entire E - Esus4 - E sequence as happening over two beats.

This rhythmic push is a hallmark of Bob Weir's style. Instead of just marking the time with straight down-and-up strums, he creates a more complex rhythmic texture that drives the song forward. The full pattern used in the verse, over lines like "We can share the women, we can share the wine," incorporates a quick change to an A major chord.

The transition to the A chord on beat 3 should also feel economical. A common way to play this is to bar the D, G, and B strings at the 2nd fret with your index finger for the A chord. This requires lifting your E major shape, but it's a quick and efficient change that gets you back to the E chord on beat 4.

The key is to keep your strumming hand in constant motion, creating an acoustic-electric shuffle feel. Even when a beat is silent (like the 'and' of beats 2, 3, and 4), your hand should still be moving. This creates 'ghost strums' that maintain the rhythm and make the accented notes pop.

Practice the pattern slowly at first, focusing on the timing of the Esus4 flourish and the smooth transition to the A chord. As you get more comfortable, you'll feel the characteristic 'loping' groove of the song begin to emerge.