Dave’s Weird Chord Fingerings

[Xar666]

Can someone explain to me why Dave uses complex fingerings for simple chords? I am not knocking him, I am truly curious. I love Dave’s playing and think he has a very unique and unconventional sound. However, every guitar teacher I have studied with dislikes him and says he is overrated. Take for instance the opening chords in the Nature intro of Tripping Billies:

Why use this version of A when you could you use the simple open version?

I know I read somewhere he likes these unconventional fingerings to minimize fretboard movement but it seems excessive. I showed that chord to several teachers(people in different cities with no ties to each other) and they said it looks like a chord that you would use to show off to a layman instead of using a standard A or Barred A.

Is this true? What is the reason for such unconventional and huge stretches?

Thanks.

[calmpilot]

First I want to say I really like your topic because I've yet to see it in any forum, and I like origionality. Second, I think Dave took a lot from a teacher he learned from (a topic that has been talked about) and since he's been trained in that way, he never developed the easier and, if I may, more lazy method of hand position.

[czech]

First I want to say: Dmbtabs, Welcome to it

FYP

[Xar666]

First I want to say: Dmbtabs, Welcome to it

FYP

I joined in 2002. I just lurk more than post. But thanks for the welcome.

[Xar666]

First I want to say I really like your topic because I've yet to see it in any forum, and I like origionality. Second, I think Dave took a lot from a teacher he learned from (a topic that has been talked about) and since he's been trained in that way, he never developed the easier and, if I may, more lazy method of hand position.

Thanks. Doesn’t he suffer from hand pain? Why then would he not adapt the easier way?

[czech]

First I want to say I really like your topic because I've yet to see it in any forum, and I like origionality. Second, I think Dave took a lot from a teacher he learned from (a topic that has been talked about) and since he's been trained in that way, he never developed the easier and, if I may, more lazy method of hand position.

Thanks. Doesn’t he suffer from hand pain? Why then would not adapt the easier way?

He was suffering form carple tunnel during one of the D&T tours (i think 96). Also, dave mutes like crazy and has some tough cvhords changes sometimes (not often, but sometimes), so that might be a reason as well, to set his hand up for another chord, mute, or slide. or just personal preference. thats my best guess.

[Reckless]

It's harder to have the mutes/rakes with open chords.

[dmb_josh]

I read somewhere that he wrote a lot of his music a half step higher than normal keys would suggest, in an effort to seperate himself from the norm or regular music of that time.

Who knows really? I'm sure it is a combination of wanting to be original, finding usefullness in certain fingerings, muting capabilites, a result of being taught a certain way, and a number of other factors. It is cool though that of the popular musicians out there he has such a unique playing style.

Great topic, by the way.

[Sciaracastro]

IMO, dave chords have a deeper and more percussive sound.

[czech]

IMO, dave chords have a deeper and more percussive sound.

i dont think he's talkign about "dave chords"

[Sciaracastro]

IMO, dave chords have a deeper and more percussive sound.

i dont think he's talkign about "dave chords"

he is. look at the picture he posted: he's comparing open chords w/ dave chords

[czech]

IMO, dave chords have a deeper and more percussive sound.

i dont think he's talkign about "dave chords"

he is. look at the picture he posted: he's comparing open chords w/ dave chords

oh, i get it. i didnt see the pictures. i thought he was just saying that dave plays open chords using different fingers than normally.

sorry buddy.

[Sciaracastro]

IMO, dave chords have a deeper and more percussive sound.

i dont think he's talkign about "dave chords"

he is. look at the picture he posted: he's comparing open chords w/ dave chords

oh, i get it. i didnt see the pictures. i thought he was just saying that dave plays open chords using different fingers than normally.

sorry buddy.

np dude

[i am sam2]

well, dave's fingers are a lot more useful if you want to slide something. for example, in that picture you showed, in dave's version, you can play that A, then put your middle finger on the 4th fret of the G string (and remove your pinky) and there you have the billies intro. you cant do that with an open chord. i think its versilitile things like that.

but if youre wondering, you can do the billies intro with a regular barre chord shape and it works just as well...

[Xar666]

well, dave's fingers are a lot more useful if you want to slide something. for example, in that picture you showed, in dave's version, you can play that A, then put your middle finger on the 4th fret of the G string (and remove your pinky) and there you have the billies intro. you cant do that with an open chord. i think its versilitile things like that.

but if youre wondering, you can do the billies intro with a regular barre chord shape and it works just as well...

You can do the same progression (A to Asus2) with open chords by removing you ring finger off of the fretboard after you play A. From here to here.

It is the same thing and still a very minor adjustment. I guess I can see the rhythm thing and it helps him keep his strumming hand going. It just seems weird to overcomplicate such a simple chord pattern.