Acoustic Newb

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Comment by Phil Manuel on May 16, 2013 at 7:31am

And the other voicing...

Comment by Phil Manuel on May 16, 2013 at 7:28am

So, here are a couple of chord variations we talked about for the D major chord...

Comment by Phil Manuel on May 16, 2013 at 7:15am

Hugh, you're right, in some songs, you can play the low open "A" string in the D chord.  The "A" is the 5th tone in the scale, and just gives a different character voice to the chord.  Most times you'll see this noted in music songbooks as D/A, indicating the D major chord with a "A" in the bass.  Another popular voice I use a lot is "D/F#", where I place my thumb on the sixth string 2nd fret.  This puts the 3rd tone of the chord in the bass, and you'll see folks do this to add movement when going from a G  to Em or in endings  of songs.  Like I said in the beginning it's good to know these things, but if you are still at the bottom of the learning curve, you should probably focus on the straight voices of chords.

Just remember, there are a lot of ways to play, but just keep it fun will give you motivation to continue. - Thanks folks!

Comment by Hugh McCloskey on May 16, 2013 at 6:08am

This may be repetative, but...the "A" note is part of the D chord, so you still have a D chord if you hit the "A" string.  It's a "forgiveness" string - if you hit it by mistake or intentionally, you still have played a D chord.

Comment by Mark on May 16, 2013 at 4:34am

PHIL!  Please don't relegate yourself to lurking!!!

I was merely commenting on my own lack of knowledge and comprehension.  

To lose your insight and knowledge would be a terrible loss for this group.

Comment by Andy Gallacher on May 16, 2013 at 3:37am

Thanks as always guys for not only your very  quick replies which I appreciate most of all but also, the obvious depth of knowledge you have. I have to say, the theory stuff is well beyond me and perhaps to my  detriment holds no real interest at this moment. I am struggling enough  with the simple task of playing a C chord having small hands and short fingers it's my nemesis at the moment, but one of the  many  links you guys have furnished me with is for finger stretching so I'll  beat that C's ass eventually haha.

Thanks again guys. 

Comment by Ken Rhodes on May 15, 2013 at 7:25pm

In case you mused it, Andy, what Phil said that answers your question is that yes, you are correct in that it just makes it sound different.

Sometimes you have to be a little careful about this kind of thing. Using the D chord example, adding the 5th string is just adding a lower octave version of the same note you are already playing on the 3rd string, which is the 5 note that Phil was explaining about. But if you added the 6th string to that same chord, then you have significantly changed the nature of the chord, enough that now it has a different name (Dsus2 in this case).

At the same time, if you added the 6th string to a C chord, for example, although you are adding a lower octave version of the note already being played by the 1st string, this now has a very different relationship with the root (being the 3 note Phil's comment referred to), and does not always result in a pleasing sound.

For the most part, use the fingering you are comfortable with, and/or that sounds the best, and let pat experience guide you. When that fails, come to places like this and ask questions.  ;-)

Comment by GNuck on May 15, 2013 at 5:29pm

I second that Phil, no lurking!  :-)

You always have informative posts, please do keep posting.

Thanks for the info.

Looks like an informative DVD Walt, I may have to buy it.

Thanks.

:-)

Comment by Walt Pilcher on May 15, 2013 at 3:09pm

No lurking, Phil! I got what you said, but I had the advantage of having learned a little music theory which I needed to better know what I was doing in songwriting and composing.

Andy, if you think you are ready (I'm sure you are) and interested, you might consider this DVD by Paul Baloche:

http://www.leadworship.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_28&...

I'm not connected to this company, so I get nothing for the recommendation.  All I can say is it was very helpful to me.  There may be others equally good or better.

Comment by Phil Manuel on May 15, 2013 at 2:55pm

Sorry, Mark.  Maybe, I should just lurk, instead.  I don't want to confuse folks.  I just thought, some might want to know a bit more. My bad. ;-( 

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