E minor chop chord?

[Blip]

Is there a better way to do an E minor chop chord than 4223 or really high up the neck with A minor shape? They don't sound too good.

Thanks!

[onassis]

I'll often use 457x.

[kirksdad]

4 5 7

[Blip]

Thanks a lot! That sounds much better!

[Poener]

I didn't know you could chop chords with open strings.

[mandroid]

there is a 9577, but it seems rather unwieldy the other high up .. 9 9 10 12

maybe 0220 and dampen the ringing, short, with the palm of your right hand.

[Jim Broyles]

I didn't know you could chop chords with open strings.

Stop. 457x has no open strings.

[swampstomper]

I didn't know you could chop chords with open strings.

Most people find that when they chop the bottom three, or even two, their hand does not strike the E string. If you are worried about it you can add the 7 there also (another B note), or just damp it by resting the pinky on the string at the 7th fret (right next to your 3rd finger that is playing the E note) or, if you are using the pinky to play the E, the middle part of that finger can damp the E string.

The nice thing about 457 is that it easily converts to a an Em7 : 455, where generally the 2nd finger barres the 5th fret, and you can raise the middle part of that finger to easily damp the E sring. Of course that 455 is a G-major chord in the second inversion (B G D) but in context it can sound like an Em7.

[Poener]

Most people find that when they chop the bottom three, or even two, their hand does not strike the E string. If you are worried about it you can add the 7 there also (another B note), or just damp it by resting the pinky on the string at the 7th fret (right next to your 3rd finger that is playing the E note) or, if you are using the pinky to play the E, the middle part of that finger can damp the E string.

The nice thing about 457 is that it easily converts to a an Em7 : 455, where generally the 2nd finger barres the 5th fret, and you can raise the middle part of that finger to easily damp the E sring. Of course that 455 is a G-major chord in the second inversion (B G D) but in context it can sound like an Em7.

That's a great tip, thanks!!

[Patrick Sylvest]

I've used the 0520 to good effect on occasion.

[Mandolin Mick]

This is Sgt. Mick of the Bluegrass Police. There is no such thing as a chop chord with open strings ... it's a myth ... like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot.

[Mike Bunting]

Yes sir, you got it, Sgt. Mick!

[Spencer]

there is a 9577, but it seems rather unwieldy

Just play 957x, I use it a lot.

Spencer

[Phil Goodson]

Just play 957x, I use it a lot.

Spencer

Ditto. or 9570 if preferred.

[lenf12]

Just play 957x, I use it a lot.

Spencer

I use 9 5 X X a lot. It makes for some interesting lower note movement as the ii chord in key of D or the vi chord in key of G.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[D C Blood]

No one's mentioned 422X ???

[Darren Bailey]

I don't like the sound of chop chords across all eight strings, it loses something of that thick woody bark. I usually finger a four finger chord but try to avoid hitting the E strings. 457 works for me.

[Elliot Luber]

Try a capo! (Just causing trouble)

[Jim Broyles]

No one's mentioned 422X ???

Well, to me, you kind of need a G in there so it sounds like an E minor. Yes, E5 works over an E which is either major or minor, but an Em without a G doesn't sound right all the time.

[Jim Broyles]

I don't like the sound of chop chords across all eight strings, it loses something of that thick woody bark. I usually finger a four finger chord but try to avoid hitting the E strings. 457 works for me.

Serious question - what do you play for the famous bluegrass G chop - 7523? Do you leave the high G out of it? What do you finger for the 7452 D chop? I never even finger that one, just the 745x but more often 245x.

[kirksdad]

I hired Ronnie McCoury to chop the Em chord for me at all of my gigs......sounds good, and doesn't hurt my hand at all......

[Brian Court]

Mandolin Mick -- What no Bigfoot??? Of course there's Bigfoot!!! Right here in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska. I hear tell of local legend of the Banjo Bigfoot!!

[Ken Berner]

Blip, can you simply use 99xx (barre G and D with your forefinger)?

[Dave Reiner]

I'll occasionally use 4223 as an alternative.
Dave

[John Flynn]

This is Sgt. Mick of the Bluegrass Police. There is no such thing as a chop chord with open strings ... it's a myth ... like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot.

I beg to differ. The Mandolin Cafe' Glossary definition of a chop chord is: "A percussive chord that's typically dampened on the two and four beat on a 4/4 song or the two and three beats on a 3/4 song." You can do that on an open chord if you know how to do it. I admit does not sound quite as percussive or "bluegrassy" as a closed chop, but with the right technique it does not sound bad and it can provide an interesting variation to the closed chop.

FWIW, I have always considered the Bluegrass Police to be a myth ... like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot.