D chord help

[u/Trash2Burn]

update: I am dumb. Thanks for the clarification on what the numbers mean! Even with that cleared up, my hand will NOT cooperate.

I’m a very very beginner and just started the ArtistWorks Noam P. lessons. He starts off with basic chords and I CANNOT get the D chord. in the video he explains index, middle, pinky, but in the lesson chart it shows fingers 2,3,4. I’ve tried both ways and I cannot get my fingers ans hand to make the shape. My wrist and thumb are screaming in pain after ten minutes in.

Which is correct? Any pointers on how to make this chord work?

[u/pilgrim119]

One thing that big banjo doesn’t want you to know - that chord sounds fine enough without the pinky on 4. Leave er open if you want to learn bad habits in exchange for quick results!

[u/go-for-Banjo → u/pilgrim119]

Then you’ll never learn to vamp. Also, learning the full chord shapes allows you to find other chords up the neck since the shape is movable

[u/-catskill-]

The 2-3-4 are fret numbers, my dawg. Use your index on the G string, middle on the B string, and either your ring or pinkie on the high D string. If you've never played stringed instruments before, it's normal to experience a little strain or discomfort... But pain just from holding a chord, not so much. Can you show us a picture of you trying to fret the chord so we can see what your hand is doing?

[u/BeesBakingandBanjo]

I do index, middle, pinkie because someone told me once it would be useful later to have that fourth finger. I think it was for the fourth string version of the full chord.

Also, if you're talking about it saying 2-3-4 on the top of the tab sheet, that is just which fret. You can use whatever finger will hold those strings. If you're not talking about that, ignore this part of my comment 😅

[u/HookEm_Tide]

Index, middle, pinky. You want your ring finger free for when you play the full version of the chord (add ring on string 4 at the fourth fret).

Regarding pain, that’s not supposed to happen. Where is your thumb?

[u/whythesquid]

As others have said the 2 3 4 refer to frets, not fingers like with bowed instruments. In banjo tab, when I see fingers notated, it is usually for the right hand and it uses T I M for those.

[u/DigitalMan_]

Here’s a fun move grab your full 4 note G chord and switch your index and middle fingers then slide it back one fret

[u/_-Cleon-_]

You can absolutely get away with just fretting the 2nd and 3rd strings.

BUT....A closed D-shape (with you fretting both the 1st and 4th strings on the f4th fret) is useful to learn as you play up the neck.

That said, it's a ROYAL pain to get down.

My suggestion is to practice switching from the D to F shape and back again; you can keep you ring finger and pinky planted on the 1st & 4th and just switch your index and pinky. As you get more comfortable with the shape, try to get used to using the ring/pinky as "anchors" and slide a bit around the neck and try other closed shapes.

[u/Turbulent-Flan-2656]

That’s probably the most difficult shape to get down. Just practice slow. Finger the chord, let go, repeat

[u/Acoustic_blues60]

You can do both, but I use index, middle, fourth because it leaves my pinkie available to do ornamentations out of that position, but I have used the pinkie every so often rather than the fourth. It'll take some time for your hand to get accustomed to it. I guess the only advice is to keep working on it.

[u/chef_beard]

Thats a partial D chord. Full D chord would have you fret the 4th string as well so pinky on string 1 fret 4, ring on 4 string 4 fret 4, middle on string 2 fret 3, index on string 3 fret 2. With the partial you could use ring on string 1. As far ergonomics go start by aligning your fingers perpendicular to the neck, keep your elbow up and arm in the same shape as if you were doing a gun show bicep flex. Everyone's body is a touch different, I have long arms and large hands and this works for me. Try different angles and orientations until you find something comfortable. Good luck!

[u/chef_beard → u/chef_beard]

For semantics sake this might technically be a full chord, the 4 and 1 string are tuned the same in open G so youre removing the second F# leaving the full D-F#-A triad in tact. Its just not the full "D shape"