What my hand can't seem to do

[amyFB]

I like a 'thumb over' to grab that F# when playing a D/F# chord.

Often I find it is a passing chord and the F# can sound just ahead of, or just past the rest of the chord tones , without negative affect to the song.

[Chin music]

I suspect I would have the same problem if I attempted to play a D/F# that way. I have something similar going on in my right hand when picking between my index finger and middle finger.

Anywho... I play that chord (in open position) as:

F#, 6th string, index
A, 3rd string, middle
D, 2nd string, pinky

This leaves my ring finger free to walk up to the G on the 6th string for whatever I'm transitioning to next.

Hope that makes sense.

[pgilmor]

You probably didn't practice this enough as a kid!

[Bingoccc]

Originally Posted by pgilmor

You probably didn't practice this enough as a kid!

That got some practice with us but it was nothing compared to every boy in school running around, trying to render every other boy unconscious with a Vulcan neck pinch.

[Bern]

For the time being you can fret the F# on the E string with your thumb.
As far as the fingering you describe, play a good approach chord before the trouble spot. Playing an open G type fingering (6str - middle finger 3rd fret / 3rd string - open / 2nd string - ring finger - 3rd fret). This might help because you're already spreading your middle and ring finger.
BTW, I've found that focusing too much on a particular fingering is not helpful in terms of your overall playing. It takes too much attention away from other fingerings and it'll start to imbed itself in your mind every time when you have to play a troubled chord.

[Earwitness]

Just thought I would post back to say I appreciate all the responses. I've tried all the ideas that were suggested. For a straight D/F#, one of the examples I gave, it does turn out to be pretty easy and natural for me to use the thumb. Whenever I used to try to use the thumb, it seemed I had difficulties--whatever they were, they're gone now. So, e.g., on a simple G to Em walkdown such as Don't Think Twice, I'm kind of amazed how simple the thumb makes the song compared to what I was doing.

For other places on the fretboard, I'm going to try to mix up a strategy of strengthening my natural way to do it (that is, the way that's hard for me?!); using my pinky instead of my ring--which really requires more a brain rewiring than anything; and the old stand-by, which is just leave out a bass note with that chord that gives you a problem (!).

One thing it seems is that most of you were doing something different from what I was doing, so my way must not be an easy fingering, despite how easy it looks.

Anyway, thanks!

[creamburmese]

Fingers 2 and 3 have the same nerve so everyone has problems separating them. If you have to use 2 and 3 (and there are lots of alternative approaches already suggested) it becomes relatively easy if you move your hand/arm so it's reaching down from the nut end as opposed to perpendicular to the fingerboard - much as you would fret B7 for instance....

[thiseas]

Hi,

I think that this excersice will help you

Theo

p.s. It works well without the little characters too...