cook675 - Posted - 07/30/2020:  21:56:30

Im starting to learn, and Im through all my major chords in the 3 inversions. The F shape and bar I can assemble rapidly

The D shape is difficult, despite repeated practice. Im far better that I was, but I cant see how it could be possible to routinely put all 4 fingers down when switching chords playing backup on even a medium speed tune.

And I started learning some of the minor and Dom chord shapes, i mean.... forget about it right? What are the masters doing, are the cheating and putting down 3 or are they going with all 4?

I feel like since theres only 4 strings, I should really be using all 4. Especially if I want to get into more varieties of 7th chords.

Do the hard dominant and D shapes eventually become second nature also?

Thanks

BelfastFiveString - Posted - 07/31/2020:  01:33:01

Masters do as they do, we just amble on at our own pace and in our own way.

I wouldnt necessarily aim for perfection, if a progression is of G C F and D, and you find the D hard, then just play a D fretted in the first position on the 2nd and 3rd strings only. In a tune, and especially with others, it wont be noticed.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 07/31/2020:  04:46:10

A good exercise for changing from the 1st (or "F") shape to the 2nd (or "D" shape). Start at the first G chord at 5, 3, 4, 5, and move up one fret and trade the index and middle fingers to the 2nd or "D" shape without taking your index and pinkie off the 1st and 4th strings, then move up one more fret, exchange the fingers again and go all the way up the neck doing that and then come back down. It's chromatic, so don't try to figure out what chord you're playing, just move up and down the neck like that every time you pick up the banjo. Eventually, you'll find it much easier to make that very difficult 2nd shape ("D" shape) chord.

And yes, it does become easier as you practice more and get more experience. You'll also find that you won't use those 4-finger chords much except when you're doing backup and maybe not even then, according to what type of backup you're doing.

banjoy - Posted - 07/31/2020:  05:18:41

^^^ Sherry lays out a pretty cool exercise above...



Yes it definitely gets easier. You're training your left hand to do things it's never done before so it takes time for your muscles to relax and for the shapes to become more natural for your hands.



As you work through left hand positions if you feel your muscles clamp down, just go a little slower over longer time. It's like any other form of exercise. Your body has to adapt. And it will.

Edited by - banjoy on 07/31/2020 05:19:29

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 07/31/2020:  07:01:28

I'd suggest first practicing the change from "F shape" to "D shape" WITHOUT going to a different fret. Just get the change of shape down pat first before you add any complicating factor.

Once you have that down, then practice going back and forth between F-shaped G (ring and pinky at 5th fret) and D-shaped D (ring and pinky at 4th fret). Also practice going from F-shaped G to D-shaped G (ring and pinky at 9th fret).

As Sherry suggests, make a point of practicing to keep your fingers down when changing from F shape to D shape, and when changing frets, too.

bigleaf - Posted - 07/31/2020:  08:00:31

Thanks to Sherry for that exercise. I’m just adding G tuning to my overhand playing, having started in double C. (I’ve only been playing for a little more than a year.)

I’ve spent more time as a drummer than guitarist or with these banjos, and this has all the hallmarks of a drum exercise. Drill slowly on the new technique, broken down to the smallest part, until your fingers and hands can do it without conscious thought.

Thanks for making that connection for me. I think all my practice will be better for that realization. I think it’s time to plug in my metronome, too!

Richard Hauser - Posted - 08/01/2020:  09:43:06

In my case studying how to play rhythm accompaniment developed my ability to quickly change from on chord form to another. When I play a "break", I use chord fragments much more often than I do complete chords. New banjoist seem to spend most of their time practicing and playing melody. Working on fundamental rhythm techniques come in handy because you should not constantly play melody, you spend time playing backup as well.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/01/2020:  11:12:52

cook675

As an addition to my first post about changing from one shape to another, try just vamping up and back down the neck, then try doing a forward roll on each position. It's a great way to get used to 4-finger positions and to changing while doing a roll.