triad voicings

[WillBuckingham]

Hey guys, I've been experimenting with triad voicings. My problem is when I voice them 1, 3, 5, using ring (or pinky), middle, and index, on adjacent strings. The result is that my index finger is curled up and hurts after a few of these. I've experimented replacing my index with my thumb but this doesn't seem to be a very effective technique. Any advice?

[Blackbird]

Instead of using ring, middle and index, try using your little finger, ring and index for the root position 1-3-5.

There are other triad shapes that are easier to do, like the first inversion triad (3-5-1). Hold down the E on your A string, seventh fret with your ring finger, then both the G on the D string and the C on the G string, fifth fret, with your index finger.

Second inversion 5-1-3 is also easier. Try holding down the G on your E string with your middle finger, the C on your A string and the E on your D string and you'll have a second inversion C chord.

Another reason you might be having trouble might be because you're doing all these triads very low. triards work better higher up on the neck where the sound is also less muddy anyway. Good luck.

[WillBuckingham]

Thanks for the input. I'm having the same problem with my index finger when I work on Bach's cello suites (on my 5 string w/ high C) I put a few hours of work in on the prelude of the first one today and I feel like the only sensible way to work it out causes that index finger to be all curled up almost the whole time. That means pain. Has anyone had this problem, or any advice for stretching or something?

[Phil Smith]

Fingering higher up the neck and a five string with a high C will definitely help clarity and will also be easier with the method your using because there's less stretch, though that finger arrangement is good for augmented and major and ackward for minor and diminshed triads. I would just voice the triads with the root and the third.

[Whafrodamus]

3-5-8(1) and 3-5-7 are the simplest to get to, try those out.

[Peter Squire]

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Instead of using ring, middle and index, try using your little finger, ring and index for the root position 1-3-5.

There are other triad shapes that are easier to do, like the first inversion triad (3-5-1). Hold down the E on your A string, seventh fret with your ring finger, then both the G on the D string and the C on the G string, fifth fret, with your index finger.

Second inversion 5-1-3 is also easier. Try holding down the G on your E string with your middle finger, the C on your A string and the E on your D string and you'll have a second inversion C chord.

Another reason you might be having trouble might be because you're doing all these triads very low. triards work better higher up on the neck where the sound is also less muddy anyway. Good luck.

What excellent advice. My hat off to you, Blackbird.

Listen to this man and learn!!

[Blackbird]

Originally Posted by southpaw1

What excellent advice. My hat off to you, Blackbird.

Listen to this man and learn!!

Thanks. I do exactly what I'm knowing...