tinndn - Posted - 10/22/2009:  08:39:36

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Dumb question. I practice and practice, but just cannot get to a D chord worth a darn. I don't kow what the deal is. Did anyone else have this problem and/or have any ood tips on how to correct it. Without being able to do this chord, it is hard to do a lot of songs and it is very fristrating!!!

steve davis - Posted - 10/22/2009:  08:43:43

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Just keep making your fingers form the chord and the new muscle
strengthening will happen.A good practice is to make the F chord
and then make the D chord.
One beat for each chord...go slowly.

pcfive - Posted - 10/22/2009:  08:45:12

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In G tuning, all you have to do is stop the b string at the 3rd fret, and the (low) g string at the 2nd fret. Fretting one of both of the 2 d strings at the 4th fret (f sharp) is optional.

That's the low position for a D chord, anyway. You can also just bar the 7th fret all the way across. And there are a couple others also.

pcfive

Possom - Posted - 10/22/2009:  08:53:19

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u mean the D-shape 4 finger chord? if so it just comes with a lotta practice


www.myspace.com/possomking

Banjo ~ Its a Passion not an Obsession

slowdeath - Posted - 10/22/2009:  08:53:44

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quote:

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Originally posted by pcfive

In G tuning, all you have to do is stop the b string at the 3rd fret, and the (low) g string at the 2nd fret. Fretting one of both of the 2 d strings at the 4th fret (f sharp) is optional.

That's the low position for a D chord, anyway. You can also just bar the 7th fret all the way across. And there are a couple others also.

pcfive

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The only problem with this is that you don't really have a D chord here. If you do the above you will only have 3 d notes and one A. You really need that f# to bring out the nature of the chord.

Be sure to use:

index on 3rd string
middle on 2nd string
PINKY on 1st string

Good luck.

Regards,

Matt

www.myspace.com/slowdeathandloneliness

rstieg - Posted - 10/22/2009:  08:55:37

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Yes, it takes quite a while to get that one, but eventually it will be easy. As I recall, I think I worked on that chord 2-3 times during each daily practice session and it still took several months to get comfortable with it.

RICH
Pleasanton, CA

The truth is a moving target... perception is more important than reality... everything is relative...

The Hammer - Posted - 10/22/2009:  09:15:45

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Tim all of the above is excellent advice. Let me give you another perspective.
I used to be a decent Scruggs style player. I had the misfortune of having
two separate accidents involving my left hand. One with a table saw and one
with a chain saw. I cannot use my left index finger and cannot make the
"D" chord position fully. I have learned to use the 3-4 two finger position and
roll it, and also just use the 2nd fret on the 3rd string a lot. Most of the time
I like the way the open 4th string sounds with a D chord so I don't try to finger
the 4th string anymore when making the D chord.

Dave Hamm
2 Chronicles 7:14

pcfive - Posted - 10/22/2009:  09:16:38

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"The only problem with this is that you don't really have a D chord here. If you do the above you will only have 3 d notes and one A. You really need that f# to bring out the nature of the chord."

Yes that is true, you should fret either the high or low D string. But I just meant only the 2nd and 3rd string fretting is absolutely required. Probably not too helpful, but I was trying to point out ways of getting a D chord without stretching the fingers too much. Of course it's better to stretch the fingers and eventually it will be easy.

pcfive

The KIDD - Posted - 10/22/2009:  09:31:48

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To really access why your having trouble, I would have to both see and hear you involving several exps going into and coming out of the D formation.If you could post a sound file comin outta C into D using a fwd bwd #1 roll , That would really help.Yeah, I have different remedies depending on what fingers seem to be causing it. Yeah , Ill have students holdin on to D7 for dear life until I have to rule with an iron fist... One remedy for some is to play the fwd bwd roll #1 at 65-70BPM rollin through your G-C-D-G changes (Blueridge Mt Home). Coming outta C, ONLY..ONLY I repeat, connect the I finger with the A note(3rd string)on the first beat in D , then the M finger (D note) on the + of 1 , then the pinky on the beat of 2 (F#note)..Dont use the 4th string at all. Only 3-2-1-5-1-2-3-1...That way, you can bulid the chord using the beats each finger is required to be on.This teaches good LH timing as well..Wont be long before you'll be puttin all 3 down on the beat of 1 and able to pivot the R finger for additional F# and B notes..
John

http://www.myspace.com/johnkuhnbluegrass

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Edited by - The KIDD on 10/22/2009 09:36:20

Richard Dress - Posted - 10/22/2009:  09:38:21

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The full D or D7th chord is rarely used in 1st position G. One or two fingers are all that's necessary to play D in 99% of Scruggs style. If you need a three fingered chord, just remember that you don't play all the strings at once--so you don't have to hold down all three strings all together at the same time.

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Edited by - Richard Dress on 10/22/2009 09:40:48

steve davis - Posted - 10/22/2009:  09:49:38

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It's good practice to hold down all the strings of three and four
finger chords.When you want a big chord pinch or strum you can hit
any or all of the notes and know they are all going to sound good.

You can choose any partial from the full chord.
I find it very helpful to automatically go to full chords,quickly and accurately.

I find it helpful in choosing melody or harmony notes.

pcfive - Posted - 10/22/2009:  09:50:47

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Yeah that's what I was trying to say. I almost never use 4 fingers at once for that D chord, except maybe in the backup style where you mute the strings.

pcfive

beegee - Posted - 10/22/2009:  09:54:16

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quote:

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Originally posted by Richard Dress

The full D or D7th chord is rarely used in 1st position G.

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Au contraire, mon ami. I use the full D chord shape in G-tuning to do back up for all chords from thew first position D all the way up the neck. The 4-finger D -shape chord should be no more difficult than the F-shape chord. It's just muscle memory.

__________________________
"It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing." -Seneca

minstrelmike - Posted - 10/22/2009:  09:58:04

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The full D: 4234 is a little tricky, especially trying not to mute the inside strings.

1. Use an easier chord: 0234 or 4230 work to get things going.

2. Practice the actual chord shape farther up the neck. 9789 is the same shape and is used for G.
The frets are closer together. Change from that G to the C at 10th fret.
It is the same as going from D to G at 5th fret: 5435

To practice chords, take off your fingerpicks and strum. You don't want to practice making chords as much as being able to switch from certain chords to certain others. Going from D to F# isn't as common as going from D to G or D to A and vice versa.

Strum across all 4 strings, make the next chord and strum.
Check the sounds make sure there no dead strings each time.
I used to practice until I could change chords on each strum.
I never had any issues with the chords while I was picking after that.

Mike Moxcey
http://moxcey.net/mike/minstrel/index.html

idnworks - Posted - 10/22/2009:  11:10:55

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quote:

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Originally posted by tinndnjavascript:image();

Dumb question. I practice and practice, but just cannot get to a D chord worth a darn. I don't kow what the deal is. Did anyone else have this problem and/or have any ood tips on how to correct it. Without being able to do this chord, it is hard to do a lot of songs and it is very fristrating!!!

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D is tough. I'm struggling with that too. Good thing I don't need one to play "Banjo in the Hollow". I've got to keep working on it though, because it's a very necessary chord and will be needed in many songs. I find that it works if I move my fingers just slightly from where it buzzes. There are times when I can get it really clean. If I have to jump in and out of a D or an F fast though, I'm cooked.



Shawn Clever
Albuquerque


We are the Banjo. You will be picked.

Surveyor - Posted - 10/22/2009:  11:18:50

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Practice makes perfect. So they say.

Mr. B

Wind me up and watch me go!

Ikaika - Posted - 10/22/2009:  11:33:38

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Some people's definition of "practice and practice" is different from others. When I have a hard time with something - musical or otherwise, I do it and do it and do it until I get it - no matter HOW long it takes - usually after a minute or so, I get it (JUST KIDDING).

http://www.myspace.com/imthefid

stringbeaner - Posted - 10/22/2009:  11:55:29

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I'm afraid I may be missing something. I can't see where anyone with all 4 fingers and a thumb would have a difficult time making a D chord. Minstrel Mike has stated the simplest way to make the chord in the low position. That's the full, 4-finger D chord (in G tuning). The D7 uses only 2 fingers in G-tuning.

I'm sorry if I'm missing the point; I would go along with the strumming exercise running thru all 3 G-position chords until you are comfortable with the position and the movement in and out of the D position.

Stringbeaner

Richard Dress - Posted - 10/22/2009:  12:09:57

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"Without being able to do this chord, it is hard to do a lot of songs and it is very fristrating!!!"

What are the kind of songs that have to use the full 1st-position D-Chord? Are there lot's of them? I know people who like to use the full D, but where do you really need it? I can think of a couple of examples but after that I draw a blank. Is this something that only happens with chromatic style? Please, somebody explain.

steve davis - Posted - 10/22/2009:  12:15:31

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I like the way a full chord sounds and the freedom of being able to
roll it or single string it in many different ways and it still sounds good.

It's just another option to help keep from playing something the same way every time.

I like to play them because they are there.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 10/22/2009:  12:18:51

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It might be your hand position. Most beginners try to "strangle" the neck of the banjo and that's no way to get a good sounding chord.

Try this: put the fleshy part of your thumb on the back of the neck of the banjo and arch your wrist (limp wrist arch) over the fretboard. Use the TIPS of your fingers to fret the strings and be sure your fingertips are as close to the frets as possible without touching them.

You should also be using a strap to help hold the neck in place so your hand can do what it needs to do like fretting, sliding, choking, hammering, etc.

You can also try this: make the F chord at 3, 1, 2, 3 and then move your entire hand position down 1 fret and then exchange the index and middle fingers; viola, you have a D chord. If you can make the F chord, you can make the D chord, it's just a matter of changing 2 fingers.

Good luck, I know you can do it.

Let's Pick!
Texas Banjo

Richard Dress - Posted - 10/22/2009:  12:23:18

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I'd love to see you single string a full D-chord. Look, I know a lot of people like to do it, but do you have to do it? The poor guy who asked the question, to my mind, is being frustrated for no good reason. Does he have to suffer or is there a way he can put the whole issue behind him and devote his time to learning something more useful like 101 different banjo rolls?

steve davis - Posted - 10/22/2009:  12:31:55

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Single stringing is something that the right hand does.It doesn't
matter if it's being done on a single string within a chord.

Clear sounding chords have lots of uses.They sound real pretty,but
they need a little practice to sound good.It's time well spent.
Anything new can be a little frustrating...that's why it feels so good
to finally get it right.

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Edited by - steve davis on 10/22/2009 12:41:50

big bird - Posted - 10/22/2009:  12:49:57

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Try a D barred position and see if that helps.

Bib bird

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/22/2009:  14:24:41

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Hi Tim

Welcome to the Hangout

The full D chord at the first position was tough for me to master and after about six months of frequent practice I am beginning play it cleanly. So I guess what I am really saying is you wont master this one over night. Practice changing back and forth between the Am in the first position and the full D shape at the first.

You will need to be able to do this to play Beverly Hillbillies

Regards Tam

Picking a Fender FB 58 and PROUD to describe myself as a Student of the Murphy Method

bandzo - Posted - 10/23/2009:  02:41:07

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I had the same problem and it was easy easy to fix... left hand!
Some nice people, who can actually play banjo, told me to hold the neck like you hold a classical guitar (http://tinyurl.com/classic-left - or search google for better picture). It probably feels strange at the beginning.
If you hold your banjo neck like a ice hockey stick (or baseball bat?), you have hard time reaching more than 3 or 4 frets without sliding your hand.

NB! Read what Texasbanjo wrote.


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