Hey Friend,

As we work through reviewing and learning the various chords in the key of D major, keep in mind that you'll want to be aware of fingering when you form the shapes on the fingerboard.

I have believed for a long time that some shapes are better than others because they allow you to be more efficient in your playing. Better efficiency allows you to change chord shapes faster, which in turn helps your playing become smoother and more fluid.

Obviously, not every chord change can be efficient. For example, if you change from D major to G major ion the open position, there's a lot of finger movement. But if you learn chords with a specific fingering, you can make big string jumps a little easier on yourself.

Using the D to G example, many people play the G major chord using their index, middle and ring fingers. That's fine, but if you finger the G chord using your middle ring and pinky fingers, you already have your middle and ring fingers in the positions they need to be for the D chord.

Look at the fingering charts and you'll see what I mean. The little numbers under the diagram indicate which finger to use in that position.

You'll also notice that certain fingers can be used as pivot points as you switch between chords. Look at the change between D and A; your index finger is on the third string, second fret in each chord. This allows you to remain anchored in a position with fewer fingering changes. That anchoring helps you be more accurate, which in turn speeds your learning and muscle memory.

The exercise I created for you demonstrates some of these little moves with chords from the key of D major. We saw very similar opportunities in the keys of C and G major.

Here's what I want you to get out of this. There is never only one way to play a chord. Don't lock yourself into using only one shape for a chord, and don't feel married to using only one fingering.

If changing from one chord to another is difficult or you can't seem to move quickly enough between the two, see if changing your finger configuration helps. Instead of using index, middle and ring, try using middle, ring and pinky. Just changing the fingers you use may make it easier to change to the next chord.

It's easy to get stuck using one fingering because that's just the way you learned it. But guitar allows us a lot of flexibility, so I encourage you to look outside the "same old, same old" and use what works for you. If I suggest a fingering and it slows you down, drop it. Find one that fits you.

But don't be afraid to stretch and try some other fingerings. You might find some that make playing a bit easier and faster.

Peace~

Dave