2 finger chords by key

[ELSOL102]

I am putting together my own chord chart organized by key for 2 finger chords...major, I, IV, V, V7, VIm, VII, some VII13.....organized by KEY (A, F, D, E, C, B so far). Now, depending on the key, I need F#m, G#m, C#m; so am I going to have to use mostly 4 finger chords for these particular chords? I am looking at all the chord charts I have that I got online and ones that I bought. I am doing this so I can play rhythm and sing solo....I am more versed on my guitar than I am on my mandolin and want to be able to play my mandolin more while I sing. Any ideas? Thanks!!!

[Coffeecup]

Like you, I'm more at home on guitar than mandolin but I have a handy piece of software called Chord Wizard Gold - http://www.chordwizard.com/products.asp It comes up with these suggestions:
F#m x402 x405
Bm x022
Abm 112x x667
C#m x244 x640 x240

Borrowing from a little I've been learning about DADGAD guitar recently, it's acceptable to leave some chords ambiguous for accompaniment, not playing the third of the chord ie power chords, so the same shape can be used for major and minor and other instruments or vocals fill in the missing part. Having said that, if you never try the more complex chord forms you never learn them.

[ELSOL102]

Thank you for the info!!
I know some of the 4 finger chords and use them for chops and rhythm when playing only rhythm and for home recording...still working on the G..hard to slide from G to A when I play Old Joe Clark...and will continue to work on the 4 finger chords...the issue is the other chords sound better for playing and singing solo when I perform...and playing long hours in the subway I have to spare my hands....the 2 and 3 finger chords ring well for singing....when I am playing and singing by myself. There is a lot to learn for so many different applications and styles...I love bluegrass...so it's 4 finger chops and fiddle tunes....
Thank you for this information....will check out that software although if it's expensive these days I can't afford much of anything....LOL
Last night I played the subway most of the day, and after the fireworks raced to the subway, pulled out my mandolin, and played 2 tunes that I know well...my amplifier, guitar, and mic stayed in their cases...no time to set up...I made some good money in that hour playing my mandolin!!

[ELSOL102]

Do you have Chord Wizard Gold 3.0 or Chord Wizard Gold 2.0?? It looks the 3.0 will write out music notation for you and other things...amazing.

[Coffeecup]

I have 2.0. It came as trial software on a magazine CD, and although it's not cheap I thought it was worth it to cover mandolin and various guitar tunings. I haven't looked at 3.0 but already have Melody Assistant which serves my needs for notation/tab and midi writing. Good luck with the performing - it's always good to see a proficient busker but with council restrictions and permit requirements round here we don't see many these days.

[ELSOL102]

Wow there is a busker from Australia who sends out posts and info on busking....can't think of his name now....he hasn't mentioned the restrictions in Australia....that's too bad...how else can somebody learn to be a performer? It is a mistake to make it hard on street musicians....I was not comfortable performing esp with a microphone until I started busking. Most performers started on the street...including those who made it big. I got more experience in front of a mic in the first night I played the street than I did a whole year at open mics where I get to do only 2 songs....once or twice a week....
In Boston there was a guy Steven Baird who went to bat for us and they changed the law on street musicians permits on the streets of Boston are not necessary but you can still get hassled...you have to know where to go and not be too loud or bother anyone....I perform in the subway with a permit....it's not expensive....
Busker rights have to be fought for and the government and people need to understand its importance to the arts. :sleepy:

[Coffeecup]

I may have been basing my comment on out of date information. The local government website is down at the moment so I can't check everything, but it looks as if a permit has to be obtained (no charge?) and there are restrictions such as 2 hour time limit and no amplification. That sounds fair enough and I can't see why it should turn would-be buskers away. Anyway, for whatever reason, I see far fewer buskers now than ten years ago. That's a shame, they surely brighten up a trip into town.

You're right about getting a start in performing. A number of buskers I used to see in Adelaide twenty years ago are now familiar names on television.

[instrumentality]

This sounds like a useful endeavor. Would you consider sharing when you're done?

[lenf12]

It seems to me that you can get by with barre chords or 3 finger chords for F#m, G#m and C#m . For F#m try 2 4 4 x (these are the frets) using your index on 2, your ring finger on 4 and 4, and muting the x. A 3 finger version of F#m would be 6 4 0 2 using your ring finger on 6, middle finger on 4 and index on 2. For G#m play 1 1 3 x (or 4) using index on 1 1, ring on 3 and mute 4 or pinky on 4. For C#m play 1 2 4 0 using index on 1, middle on 2, ring on 4. Other ways would be 6 6 4 0 using middle on 6, ring on 6 and index on 4 or barre 6 6 7 9 with your index on 6 6, middle on 7 and pinky on 9. They're not 2 finger chords but other than avoiding songs using these chords, you'll have to learn to deal with them at some point. The sooner, the better.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[ELSOL102]

I have a bunch of chords on paper I can scan them at some point if you want a copy of them Gianna...I see you live in Cambridge MA I am in West Roxbury MA part of Boston near Dedham line so you are not far from me.
I ended up going to Grey Fox and I went to all the slow jams (4 of them) and on Thursday night and Saturday night I jammed till 4am...and I was playing all four finger chord chops....yeah the 4 finger G bluegrass chord!!! so I was quite pleased to be able to follow along with some good musicians...we had a stand up bass, some other mandos, guitars, and fiddles...I followed along on everything but maybe 1 or 2 songs...so that's progress from last year! So I'm not avoiding those 4 finger chords at all I am just using different chords for different things!!
I like the 2 and 3 finger chords for playing and singing solo...and I have to be kind to my hands to keep the tendonitis and hand pain away...I'm always sore though so I gotta watch it. I keep plugging away at a couple of melodies and will progress through a video I got from http://www.smpvideos.com and I got 2 for the mandolin so I'm hoping if I get through these 2 videos I will begin to play a lot better...maybe next year I'll be able to do a lead when asked if I want to!
lenf12 I will look at your suggestions when I get a chance.