Bluegrass G7

[justwrite]

I've been told that the "proper" bluegrass G chord is (from the bottom up) 3-2-5-7. How do you transition that into a 7th? 1-2-5-7 is just about more than my short little fingers can reach. Is there an easier G7 to move into when playing bluegrass?

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

Sometimes I'll play a full on open F chord. or a G7 X-5-3-4

[ShaneJ]

1-2-5-0

[Keith Newell]

5-3-0-1

5 on G string
1 on E string

Keith

[mpeknox]

i normally just do 1-2-0-0....works for me since i'm usually just in transition to C and don't really need to chop it

[Hoovetone]

1st string 3
2nd string 2
3rd string 3
big string 0

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

mandolinkgn is also just playing an f chord also. I guess you could look at it like playing a G11. You are playing an F(b7), A(2/9), and a C(4/11).

[Scotti Adams]

G7
=======
|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|
|-X-|-X
X-|-|-|
5 |-|•X-|
|-|-|-|
7 |-|•|-|
|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|
10 |-|•|-|
|-|-|-|
|•|-|•|
G7
=======
|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|
5 |-X•|-|
|-|-|-|
7 X-|•|-X
|-|-X-|
|-|-|-|
10 |-|•|-|
|-|-|-|
|•|-|•|

[mandomood]

----3----- index (barre)
----5----- ring
----3----- index (barre)
----4----- middle

this is a great chop 7th chord

[mandocrucian]

G to G7
==3===x===
==2===2===
==5===3===
==7===7===

G to G7
==3===3===
==2===5===
==5===3===
==7===7===

# D7 #G7 # C7 # #
===8====7====6=====
===5====5====3=====
===4====3====2=====
===7====7====5=====

Niles Hokkanen
Beginner Mandolin Boot Camp, April 4-7, 2004 (http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/northern/adult.html#bootcamp)

Rhythm Mandolin Boot Camp, May 7-9, 2004 (http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/northern/adult.html#rhythmbootcamp)

[Flowerpot]

"----3----- index (barre)
----5----- ring
----3----- index (barre)
----4----- middle

this is a great chop 7th chord "

That's the best sounding chord of the ones listed, in my opinion. A related one, which actually makes a G9 but is interchangable with the G7 in use, and is much easier to grab (for me, anyway):

----5----- ring (barre)
----5----- ring (barre)
----3----- index (barre)
----4----- middle

strings are
E
A
D
G

[justwrite]

Thanks for the advice. I'm separated from my mandolin by about 500 miles at the moment, but when I get back home, I plan to try out some of these. That 3-5-3-4 sounds promising.

And while we're at it, what form of A-minor is generally accepted by bluegrass players? I know a couple of versions, but bluegrass jammers seem to frown upon them.

[Bruce Evans]

And while we're at it, what form of A-minor is generally accepted by bluegrass players? I know a couple of versions, but bluegrass jammers seem to frown upon them.
Frown on an A minor? Really? If I want a chop chord I usually play (low to high) 2235. Sometimes I will play 2230 if I don't mind the ringing high E string.

BTW, regarding the G7 in your initial question, I have been scowled at for playing any seventh chords at all.

"That ain't the way Bill done it!"

I can think of lots of answers to that, but it is usually easier to move on.

[AlanN]

A minor closed shapes

9735
9775

A minor open shapes

2200
5200
9700
9730

and plenty of others, depending on the mood.

[MWM]

"That ain't the way Bill done it!"

Pay no attention to those scowlers Toco. Listen to Nine Pound Hammer and you'll hear him play 7ths for his break. I'm pretty sure you'll hear them in Bluegrass stomp too if I'm not imagining it. Those two songs came to mind instantly but I'm sure there are others.

[pickinpox]

A quick Am can be grabbed from the CM chop position just by placing the pinky on the 5th fret of the E string.

A dry Am can be done by barring the 7th fret with the index finger, middle finger on the 8th fret of the E string and the third finger on the 9th fret of the G string. This is just the normal open D formation moved up the board followed with a barre.