markb - Posted - 03/30/2015:  14:32:44

I'm sure this has been addressed before. I hope in not the only one.  I'm having a hard time with the G shape chop chord . Although I have some arthritis problems I always dedicate some practice time to chop chords. I thing a better set up would help but I'm hoping to learn it well. I've tried 'building' it from  2-3-then. 4 fingers. I've practiced using just the ring-pinky fingers. It still  comes out sloppy most of the time.  Does anybody have similar experiences  and any tricks for getting this shape down. I'm going to restudy the proper way of holding the mando as I have a tendency to choke the neck sometimes. Any advice would be so much appreciated. Thank y'all and happy pickin'. Mark

Wilbur - Posted - 03/30/2015:  15:13:17

Here is my thought.  Practice the G shape chop chord up the neck where the frets are closer together.  You won't have the big stretch and maybe build some strength in that pinky.

markb - Posted - 03/30/2015:  22:06:06

Thanks Wilburlin. That's something I haven't tried. That chord gives me fits. I get the point of the chop and release but that stretch gets me and it just sounds like crap. Thanks for the quick reply and helpful idea. Mb

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/31/2015:  05:27:30

If you can't get a clean sound using the 4 finger chord, just use a 3 finger chord and stay off the string that's unfretted if it doesn't sound right.  I have arthritis and there's just no way I can get the 4 finger chords, even on up the neck, so I manage with a 2 or 3 finger chop.  Sounds okay to me, and in a jam situation, there's other rhythm pickers that will allow your chop to blend in with the rest of the rhythm. 

Donnie - Posted - 03/31/2015:  07:55:47

For me the trick was to loosen my grip on the neck, then tighten it again to make the chord "sound" melodic, alternating "chop-tone-chop-tone" as the rythm of the tune deams. In terms of 3 or 4 finger chords, I agree with Sherry. I also mute the strings with my picking hand, letting it kind of bounce of the bridge as needed. Keep playing and experimenting Mark, and remember, a loose grip on the neck is best... no need to strangel it!

bradlaird - Posted - 04/01/2015:  09:46:44

Robert... Here are a couple of videos which might help:

bradleylaird.com/blog-articles...ords.html (the video is embedded on this blog article page.)

and freeguitarvideos.com/mandolin/...ords.html

and freeguitarvideos.com/mandolin/...free.html

I hope this helps,

Brad

dbhelm - Posted - 04/10/2015:  15:57:26

Do a search on Youtube Roland White G Chop.  He has a video there where he shows an alternate G Chop chord which is easier.

robanjo - Posted - 04/14/2015:  06:18:21

Hey Mark Buh, This link from the Mando Cafe shows 2 different forms - perhaps the one Herr Helm refers to -

mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/chords/ch.pl

Edited by - robanjo on 04/14/2015 06:18:55

Philphool - Posted - 11/28/2015:  11:37:29

Seems that most people who have trouble reaching that G chop shape early on are trying to form it with the hand in the same position that they would use on a guitar.

I recommend, as an exercise, putting the mandolin under your chin like a fiddle, then try to form the G chop shape.  This exercise forces you to have your fingers somewhat parallel to the strings instead of across the strings.   This is the best way to play most things on a mandolin and gives you LOTS more reach down the fingerboard without stress and stretch.

When you get the fingers in the right places, then move the instrument back into playing position.

Try it.  You might be surprised.

hillbillyhession - Posted - 05/23/2016:  18:47:15

Roland white has a video on YouTube where he uses two fingers on the D and G strings up the neck and is able to chop with those.