DADGAD: Two-string open chords

Adding a second string allows you to make more interesting chords.

 

You know the notes in D dorian on the B string from the last post. Here they are on the G string, starting at the 4^th fret:

 

• Fret 4
• Fret 5
• Fret 7
• Fret 9
• Fret 10
• Fret 12
• Fret 14
• Fret 16

 

Play around with these like you did in the last post (playing the frets in sequence, making chords, etc).

Now play from the G string to the B string. One way to do this is to play the 4th, 5th, and 7th frets on the G string in sequence. Follow this with the 5th, 7th, and 8th frets on the B string (It’s basically a two-string scale). There are a ton of ways to do this…

 

Two strings together

Strum all six strings while fretting notes on the G string and the B string together. There are a few basic ways to do this.

 

1. Anchor a finger on one string and move a finger around on the other string. For example, place your index finger on the G string at the 4^th fret. Now move between the 5^th , 7^th , and 8^th frets with your middle finger (5^th fret) and pinky (7^th and 8^th frets).

 

2. Use the same idea, but anchor a finger on the B string and move fingers on the G string.

 

3. Move two fingers together. For example, play the 7^th fret on the G string and the 5^th fret on the B string. Now move your fingers to the 10^th fret on the G string and the 8^th fret on the B string.

 

There are lots of combinations here. Do some exploring.