yeah i started looking at all the different ways to play any chord. youtube is ace. my problem as with most learners is being able to go to the next chord a bit quicker. without an embarrassing pause while i reposition my fingers. and i very rarely vary from the first 3 frets. ive just learned to play certain strings only and so can "cheat" like you say only playing 3 strings. re 3 strings when my mind is switched off and im just strumming i like playing a cadd9 then slide it up 4 frets. but go down one fret with the first finger so its on the 5th fret. so 2nd and 5th strings are on the 7th fret. and the 4th string is on the 5th fret. play all the strings. back to the cadd9 and then back up a few times. then after the "higher" cadd9 i go to a 2 string chord 2nd string 8th fret 4th string 7th fret play all strings then finish it off with a d plus the little finger on 1st string 3rd fret and then off with the little finger to play a d. the sounds on my accoustic are lovely.
i did try that tuning . i wanted to learn lady jane almost a year ago but was hopeless. might give it a go again. one thing ive noticed is the simple and laid back bit. accomplished players seem to play riffs with their fingers hardly moving fast at all. such as him off pink floyd. comfortably numb. whereas i cant seem to go fast enough to keep up despite being frantically at my limit. i suppose theyve been playing a while though....
What strings do you use and how often do you change them? I use Daddario strings,my granddaughter uses these coated strings 'Elixir' or something(Too dear for my pocket)? They've got some sort of rust free coating on them that makes them last longer and they play quite easily Alternatively,have you ever used fast fret on your strings? Cleans and lubricates them at the same time and your fingers shift faster on them
Probably because you are pressing down on the strings too hard. The pros know they don't have to press hard to fret the strings correctly, the beginner tends to press harder so as not to make mistakes. It will come. String gauges are also important, try lighter strings they are easier to play. The Cadd9 trick sounds great, this "mucking about" is exactly what you need to progress.
