I'm having trouble with my pinky finger turning in while playing a D, not so bad with the F. Wondering if anyone else had that problem. Is it a big deal, or don't worry about it and maybe it'll get better with time?
I was told years ago that when learning a new chord to place the fingers slowly and exactly at the right spots on the fretboard, with the proper curvature of the fingers. Press hard into the fretboard, release, take the hand away , then repeat. It will ingrain the proper hand/finger position.
I did the same exercise described above. But in answer to your question- yes, it will get better, but only if you do it correctly as much as possible. You’re trying to develop muscle memory. It can be correct muscle memory or incorrect muscle memory. I sometimes have to stop and drill a bad habit out of my system that I developed years ago. Better to do it right initially.
A good way to practice the D Chord shape. Is to make the shape and hold it whilst watching TV. Shake out the hand during commercials then remake the shape and hold. By the end of the game you should have no problems. If you are still struggling repeat the process. Good news is, most times when playing a D Chord you only need a partial chord.
It's all down to muscle memory
Edited by - FenderFred on 11/03/2024 01:08:25
Since the pinky is okay when making the F shape, what does it do when you switch to a Dshape at the same fret, since the pinky stays put, switching only the index and middle fingers?
I used to hold the chord and each time i realeased id go just a hair higher off the fretsthan before then bring fingers down all at once, the goal being to eventually be able to open hand all the way then bring all fingers down at once to make the chord
I like the advice of switching from F to D on the same fret for practice. I'm getting into learning back up, I think some of the trouble I'm having is more in the shape of my hand to get my fingers into a better position. Since I'm moving up and down the fretboard and there's more or less distance between the frets it's a little tough to be consistent.
I do an exercise where you start with the first G chord at 5, 3, 4, 5 and down one fret exchanging the index and middle fingers while leaving the ring and pinkie down and sliding to the next fret. I go completely down the fretboard chromatically and then back up. It does help with muscle memory after doing it over and over and makes it easier to change from one movable form to another.
Sherry's tip is how I got my D & F chord changes firm and fast.
Also when you play out of D-shape up the neck, you can "cheat" a bit by just doing a partial chord, index on 2nd string and ring on the 1st. And then your ring and pinky can hit most any not you need, with the index shifting to hit the occasionally D note on 3rd string 7th fret. Sally Goodwin and Cumberland Gap are good tunes to practice this position.
Another convenient movable up the neck "D" shape that I use a lot is a modified "F" with different fingering. 1st string-pinky-10th fret, 2nd string-middle-8th fret, 3rd string-ring-9th fret. The you put the index finger on 1st string 7th fret. It's basically an F-shape C-chord, but with the fingers shifted you can easily reach multiple scales with your pinky and ring fingers, depending on the chord you're in. And you can reach your thumb around and get really cool licks/runs.
Edited by - KCJones on 11/03/2024 05:58:26
All great advice, I like Sherry's tip to, good exercise.
