chop chord frustrations

[edawg]

i know the basic positions (d-e, g-a, c)

but gosh darn are they hard to jump back and forth

ive only been playing a few months, i love they way they sound when i hear them by real mandolin players....mine arent even close

just venting http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[kvk]

When I started learning the chop chords, I found changing fingering (G->D) not too hard. Changing position (G->A) not too hard but both, just about impossible to do fast.

Tip 1: Don't change both possition and fingering at once. You can play I IV V in a lot of keys and never move your hand. See tip 2.

Tip 2: Learn 3 and even 2 finger chops for example --

G = 7523
G = 452x
G = 45xx

D = 7452
D = 745x (pratice with fingers 123 and 234)

Tip 3: Still practice the 4 finger chops to get faster at them and/or use them in slower situations.

[biomando]

I have to agree with you. It's quite frustrating, but I'm hoping that someday I'll improve! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[JD Cowles]

edawg-
if you want to play bluegrass, ya gotta learn 'em. i too was really frustrated with them at first. a teacher had me practice going from the I to V (G to D or A to E for example) over and over again until i could do it smoothly and quickly. the trick is to keep your pinky planted as it doesnt change position. you'll get it pretty quickly and you'll be choppin chords in no time.
jd

[edawg]

thanks for the tips!

yea, i know when doing the 4finger chop chord (g & D), i gotta keep that pinky, but when i speed it up is when things go wrong.

and that tip of the 3 finger chop chord d>g is awesome! thanks a million.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I was at a John Reischman workshop over this past weekend, and he said that the most important notes in the chop chord are on the two big strings. So even though he puts his fingers on all the strings in the correct position, he only emphasizes the G and D string for bluegrass chops.

[steve in tampa]

A metronome or drum machine could be a great help in practicing repetive changes.
Just like anything that you are good at, you gotta do it a lot to get good!

[doublestop]

Practice and TIME are the key elements. Don't beat yourself up. It will come in TIME.

[Jasper]

Well, I just have to get in on this one...I started playing the mandolin two years ago next month. I initially learned to play from a guitar player, and after a year or so, started taking lessons from a mando player in the bluegrass style. First thing he taught me to do was the G, C, and D chop chords. I didn't believe I would ever be able to make my fingers do that contortion. But after about six months, I became able and after a year, I am quite proficient in several keys to include G, D, A, and even E...simply because the chord shapes transfer up and down the fretboard with no change except fretboard position. Hang in there, it will definitely come in time and with practice.

[freddyu]

Take a look at the barre chord shapes as well. They come in very handy and are easy to incorporate. Spoke to a very good bluegrass player a few months ago, I asked him if that was "cheating", he laughed and said "if it is, then call me a cheater!"

[Tom C]

Agreeing with Fred (onlyagibsonisgoodenuff)
Many times I will go from G --> #D like
G = 7523
D = 745X
Same thing with A but I will also use
A = 6200 or 62XX
E = 42XX
It depends on where I'm comming from. For Example, #Am --> E
Am = 2235 I will use
E #= 4224 #
It also depends on the tone of the chord that sounds best.


My first 3 years playing was learning fiddle tunes and playing alot alone. When I stated playing with others, I sure had a lot of catching up to do with changing chords especially one that were away of the 1,3,4 blues standard.