I was the opposite. I never thought to play the D chord that way even though I barre the Eb. lmao This thread has been a great exchange of knowledge already.
Chords That Make You Fret
- Thread starter LorenFL
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I was the opposite. I never thought to play the D chord that way even though I barre the Eb. lmao This thread has been a great exchange of knowledge already.
Hi John!
Thanks for the tip -string height is something I've only just come across, so this was really helpful! I've checked, and it's as you say - no more than a piece of paper. I do have a bit of weakness in my left hand, which might be my problem. I played around with holding my forefinger in the bar position across the strings, and have found a more comfortable method of rolling my finger to the side a little. Seems to have made it a little better, but perhaps I just need to strengthen my hand a little XD Thanks for the tip!
Elin
ripock
Well-known member
Elin,
Instead of pressing into the fretboard with ever-increasing pressure, try pulling down. Make your hand heavy and let it drop the way gravity wants it to, and grasp your fretboard with the intention of not letting your fingers get pulled off. It takes a lot less pressure than mashing the strings into the fretboard.
Instead of pressing into the fretboard with ever-increasing pressure, try pulling down. Make your hand heavy and let it drop the way gravity wants it to, and grasp your fretboard with the intention of not letting your fingers get pulled off. It takes a lot less pressure than mashing the strings into the fretboard.
This might be the best explanation on how to fret strings:
https://youtu.be/w4a2ge9N31E?t=463
I honestly wish I had this lesson when I started playing guitar 20 years ago. I tried it on my uke the moment I saw it and it totally makes things so much easier and more comfortable than just mashing down as hard as you can. I realize we're talking about barre chords, but this concept should apply to all chord shapes.
https://youtu.be/w4a2ge9N31E?t=463
I honestly wish I had this lesson when I started playing guitar 20 years ago. I tried it on my uke the moment I saw it and it totally makes things so much easier and more comfortable than just mashing down as hard as you can. I realize we're talking about barre chords, but this concept should apply to all chord shapes.
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tm3
Well-known member
Dm7
Actually, D itself is probably more of a problem since it comes up so much.
Actually, D itself is probably more of a problem since it comes up so much.
OP
OP
LorenFL
Well-known member
Another case of "depends on your fingers". I find D to be one of the easiest chords to make because my first finger joint easily reverse-bends so I can cover those three strings while skipping the bottom one. It's as easy as any "one finger, one fret" chord for me.
Dm is the same. Two strings with the tip of that middle finger, and drop the index fingertip down on the next string.
Dm7... slightly more difficult. Dm, and drop either the ring finger or pinky finger down on the bottom string.
I guess I can do that reverse fingertip bend a lot easier than I can a forward finger bend... so, these chords are a breeze for me. But, any kind of barre chord that requires me to keep a finger STRAIGHT while bending the finger next to it. Well, it just doesn't happen! Not with any accuracy, anyway.
ripock
Well-known member
I agree. With my body, to get a Dm I just make an F and then smoosh the middle finger down. For those straight-fingered barre chords like a D7 with the root on the C string, I too find it difficult. Sometimes I find I can do it if I plant the finger first and then lay down the index finger. But normally, I use my middle finger instead of the index finger and use the ring finger for the single note.
tm3
Well-known member
Sure wish I could get me some of those reverse-bend fingers!
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