Question:
D#m
A#
B
F#
C#
Those are the chords I need to play... but I don't really want to do them the hard way. Is there any type of alternate tuning that would allow me to simplify those chords? If so, what is it, and how would I finger the chords?
Answer:
Heya,
Originally Posted by SarahTheGuitarist D#m
A#
B
F#
C#
Those are the chords I need to play... but I don't really want to do them the hard way. Is there any type of alternate tuning that would allow me to simplify those chords? If so, what is it, and how would I finger the chords? What instrument? Guitar? I can figure out an easy arrangement with the campo on the first fret, except for the B. It'd still have to be played barred.
I suggest learning to barre. There's no replacement.
Answer:
When you say the hard way, do you mean barr chords?
Answer:
guitar tuned down 1/2 step (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb):
orginal chord=shape of=fingering
D#m = Em =022000
A# = B = x24442 or depending on the song, maybe you could substitute B7=x21202
B = C = x32010
F# = G =320003
C# = D = xx0232
standard tuned w/capo 2:
(technically the voicings are a bit different to make it easier, so depending on the song, this may not sound right)
orginal chord=shape of new=fingering
D#m = C#m = x46600 (technically C#m7)
A# = G# =466544
B =A = 02220 or 022000 or 577600 (the last 2 are technically Asus2 and Aadd2, respectively)
F# = E = 022100 or 079900
C#= B = x24400 (technically bsus)
standard tuned w/capo 4:
orginal chord=shape of new=fingering
D#m = Bm = x24432 or x20432
A# = F# =244322
B = G = 320003
F# = D = xx0232
C# = A = x02220
Answer:
Originally Posted by DreamChaser Heya,
I suggest learning to barre. There's no replacement.
Ditto. Even with the fixes I provided above, barreing is necessary with at least one chord per option. And even if you could fix it without barreing it's a still a very important skill to learn.
Answer:
Originally Posted by SarahTheGuitarist D#m
A#
B
F#
C#

Those are the chords I need to play... but I don't really want to do them the hard way. Is there any type of alternate tuning that would allow me to simplify those chords? If so, what is it, and how would I finger the chords?
How about capo fret 1:
Dm
A
Bb
F
C
Only one "hard" barre chord?
Answer:
Originally Posted by Dreamchaser What instrument? Guitar? I can figure out an easy arrangement with the campo on the first fret, except for the B. It'd still have to be played barred.
I suggest learning to barre. There's no replacement. Yeah, it's for guitar.
Thanks for all the tips... I think I'll go with the half step down tuning. And you are all very, very right in saying that I should learn the barre chords. I've been playing for almost four years, and I still have trouble. It's quite an inconvenience.
Anyway, thanks again!
Answer:
Originally Posted by SarahTheGuitarist Thanks for all the tips... I think I'll go with the half step down tuning.
That'll be a pain if this is for a worship service or something and you have to play another song shortly after this one.
I'm going to take a stab in the dark and guess that the A# chord isn't going to occur much in whatever song this is (it's probably just a secondary dominant, tonicizing the D#m chord a couple times). I'd go with one of the capo options.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Nate That'll be a pain if this is for a worship service or something and you have to play another song shortly after this one.
It's not so much a pain as much as it is something that would just make you use your capo anyway. If you tune a guitar down a half step, all it takes is a capo on the first fret to regain original tuning.
Nate
Answer:
capoing on the first fret is the easiest way to do it. That way there is only one barred chord, Bb.
Here is a very useful chart I have used for a very long time, made by my Dad.
Transposing fingering
E
F
F#
G
Ab
A
Bb
B
C
C#
D
Eb
(E)
From the vertical chord listing above, count the number of positions between the key the song is written in, and the key you would like to play in.
-using this number, count up the fret board, and place the capo on that space.
-Again using this number, from the vertical chord listing, count up from the original chord/key signature, and change all chords in the song to the new chords/key.
Example:
-To change from Chord fingering in the key of Bb, to chord fingering in the key of G:
-position change:3
- capo on the third fret
-change chords as follows:
-Bb becomes G
- Eb becomes C
- F becomes D
- Gm becomes Em
The song will still be played in the original key it was written, just the fingering for the chords will have changed.
This is useful for everyone who uses a capo, sometimes different chords sound better, like if a lot of songs you play are in E, well that's a bit boring after a while, so jazz it up and capo on the 2nd fret and use the D fingering, maybe it'll inspire something else that playing the E chords didn't let you do, like hammer-ons.
Hope this Isn't confusing.
Answer:
Cool. No, that's not confusing. It doesn't seem too hard at all. I'll have to try it out when I have my guitar. Thanks for the tips. =)
And no, this song is not for a worship service or anything, haha. Just something I've wanted to play for a long time. It's by Aaron Sprinkle. Anyway, thanks again for all the tips. I will probably try playing it this weekend using one of those methods. I'll let you know how it goes.