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ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,380
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,380
05/26/2023 5:51 pm

Hey, there!  These are good questions.  


First, does it feel natural & comfortable to you?  Can you play the chords smoothly & change between them?  If so, then you doing fine.  The C major chord looks good, but it looks like you thumb might be awkward on the D major chord.  You might find it more effective to move your thumb a little more to the bass side of the neck to oppose the pressure of your fingers on the treble side.


If you haven't yet, I encourage you to work through the Guitar Fundamentals course.  In particular this tutorial covers basic open chords with the proper mechanics.  This lesson is the D major chord & the next is the C major chord.


https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson/31266


And I cover general fretting hand mechanics here.


https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson/10654


In lesson 2 in particular I discuss what I call the axis of power that is effectively keeping opposing pressure between your fretting fingers & thumb.


Hope that helps!


 


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

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