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There's two basic ways I know of to successfully play a D chord without hitting the top 2 strings.
1. First, understand that you actually *can* hit the 5th string in a D chord (the A string). It's a 5th away from D in terms of the key, and can make the chord sound deeper/richer. It doesn't sound as cutting and solid, though. But anyway, if you're in a strumming frenzy during a song, and you're hitting the A string, no one will notice because it will sound fine.
2. One way to not hit the 6th string (E string) when strumming a D is to use your thumb to dull the low E. Kind of like this image.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Goq-dujHBA8/RxJOI7oWyVI/AAAAAAAACIs/4ik71IlAYeQ/s400/d.jpg
3. The other way is you just have to simply practice strum patterns using the D chord a lot, and build up coordination and muscle memory in your right arm.
For instance, try this strum pattern:
Down, Down Up, Down Down
You want to practice hitting the D string first in your strum. Don't worry about being super precise at first. Just take big, full strums, and work on getting better at hitting the D string first. Your targeting will get better with practice.
This guy has a good lesson involving the D chord.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okzm19_nn10
1. First, understand that you actually *can* hit the 5th string in a D chord (the A string). It's a 5th away from D in terms of the key, and can make the chord sound deeper/richer. It doesn't sound as cutting and solid, though. But anyway, if you're in a strumming frenzy during a song, and you're hitting the A string, no one will notice because it will sound fine.
2. One way to not hit the 6th string (E string) when strumming a D is to use your thumb to dull the low E. Kind of like this image.
3. The other way is you just have to simply practice strum patterns using the D chord a lot, and build up coordination and muscle memory in your right arm.
For instance, try this strum pattern:
Down, Down Up, Down Down
You want to practice hitting the D string first in your strum. Don't worry about being super precise at first. Just take big, full strums, and work on getting better at hitting the D string first. Your targeting will get better with practice.
This guy has a good lesson involving the D chord.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okzm19_nn10
source(s):
13 years of musicianship. I am a former guitar teacher.
13 years of musicianship. I am a former guitar teacher.
voted helpful: cmdezalia, hushnow, pirate, jasonmarshall, emmylou
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