how do you play...

4Jesus · 08-27-2001, 03:39 PM

How do you play chords like this - G/B D/F# A7sus D2 A2/B

ForTheLoveOfGod · 08-27-2001, 04:27 PM

G/B:X20033 or X20003
D/F#:200232
A7sus:X02030
D2:XX0230
A2/B:X22200

matnus · 08-29-2001, 07:51 AM

I've been wondering this as well. With the D/F#, what are the fingerings?? How do you reach the low E string?? Do you use your thumb??

Matt

nate95366 · 08-29-2001, 09:14 AM

In any chord written in the form X/Y, we read "X" as the name of the chord to be played (remembering that chords are groups of notes, not finger positions....) and "Y" as the "bass note" or the lowest member of the chord.

D/F# means: play a D chord, but make sure that an F# is left as the lowest note. In regular "D," D is left as the lowest note

G/B means: play a G chord, but make sure that a B is left as the lowest note. In regular "G," G is left as the lowest note.

For the specific "do you use your thumb on D/F#" question, my reply is this: you can. and it might be the best option, depending on how you play. However, if you'd like to remain a "purist" in the most true sense, you'll always keep your thumb squarely in the center of the neck on the back side. That would mean reaching your index finger across to the 6th string while playing the 3rd string with the middle finger, the second string with the pinky, and the first string with the ring finger. Most people I know just find it easier to use the thumb because then they can keep the "regular" finger arrangement for D and just "add" the thumb, where as the "purist" form changes which fingers are used for each string in the D chord.....

Nate

maadio · 08-29-2001, 02:12 PM

it's a little hard to use the thumb on a classical guitar.

nate95366 · 08-29-2001, 02:38 PM

very very true, plaid_child, unless your name is "Captain Big Hands," which is most of us here in the United States (because our average size is huge compared with the majority of the world), but not everywhere.....

Nate

maadio · 08-29-2001, 08:26 PM

I've got the big irish hands, but i still have trouble! oh well! I do have four other fingers....

froggee501 · 09-03-2001, 06:18 PM

me got teeny teeny hands....kinda.....

oh my gosh thank you SO MUCH nate! I understand all that X/Y stuff now! rrrrrrrrr, it's so annoying to have been playig for two years, and just now learning about that stuff! Me thinks me really needs to start taking guitar lessons!

froggee501 · 09-03-2001, 06:20 PM

now, if only I could learn about all those Bb and Eb and stuff, where I'm assuming the b stands for a flat....

psalm10730 · 09-03-2001, 06:53 PM

yes thats right, flat. hey nate got a question for you:
how do you finger an A/C# chord? i've tried to play the (02224X)
using my pinky as the C# note but its hard to play. just wondering how you do it since you're so smart about the guitar! seriously, you always know what to say!

ForTheLoveOfGod · 09-03-2001, 09:31 PM

well, im no nate, but I'll awnser this anyway.
I personally would bar the second fret, and use my third finger to play the C#

psalm10730 · 09-04-2001, 01:40 PM

bar just the three notes of an A chord or the whole 2nd fret and just play (04222X)? just wondering 'cause i tried that but it doesn't sound that well. sometimes i just play an A2/C# which is easier but it takes the "A-ness" out of the A (did that make sense?)

ForTheLoveOfGod · 09-04-2001, 01:57 PM

ok, im confused. the first time, you had 02224X, now you have 04222X. are you starting from low strings to high??

psalm10730 · 09-04-2001, 07:14 PM

my bad dude, the first time i messed up so its low strings to high and the 2nd time its low to high. hope i cleared it up right...

nate95366 · 09-05-2001, 09:15 AM

Ok, ok, I hadn't read this thread in a while.....sorry for not responding sooner!

I play A/C# (usually) one of two different ways. The first way is the "quick" way and I think it's already been mentioned here:

X4222X (or X42220 if your hands can stretch it, but if I want that "high e string note" I just play it X4225X). Basically, it's just a partial barre chord, playing on the 5th string with the ring finger and (sometimes) on the second string with the pinky.

The "tonally pure" and "resonant" and "open" way to play the A/C# chord takes a little more creativity. X47650
I cover the 5th string with my pointer, the 4th with the pinky, the 3rd with the ring, and the 2nd with the middle. This is part of a whole family of chords in the "first inversion," (chords that have their "Middle" note or third scale degree as the bass note).

The difference between this particular chord (A/C#) and the other members of the family is that for A/C# it makes sense to leave the first string open. For most of the others, the relative hand position is the same up and down the neck, but you mute the first string with the part of your pointer finger between your knuckles...

Hope this helps,

Nate