Learn the D7 Chord

by Taura Eruera

 

Here's a video demo of the D7 Chord.

 

 

 

Here's the step-by-step process to learn the fingering for the D7 Chord.

OBJECTIVE:
  • Learn to diagram the D7 Chord
  • Visualise the D7 Chord statically T
  • Train fretting hand to finger the D7 Chord dynamically
  • Train your fingers to maintain the D7 Chord shape on and off the keyboard and
  • Successfully sound each note in the the D7 Chord slowly, clearly and deliberately.
 
KEY RESULTS:
  • You have worked to the clock
  • You have inputted the finest quality information you can
  • You have learnt that slow input sets up fast output
  • You have given new muscles every opportunity to learn new instructions clearly
  • You have learnt the importance of taking a break to maintain your concentration

TOOLS:

  • Guitar, tuner, capo, metronome, timer

BEFORE YOU START:

  • Put your capo on the 5th fret

CHORD SHAPE TO LEARN

D7 Chord

You will learn

  • the name of the chord
  • the name of each note in the chord
  • the position of each finger in the chord
  • any string marked X means that string is not played

 

Step Time Frame Action

1

1 minute

 DIAGRAM THE D7 Chord

Set the timer.

Write the chosen chord out as many times as you can within the time frame.

Label the chords label the strings then write in the fingerings for each string on a fingerboard diagram.

Download fingerboard diagram paper to print off.

Stop the second the alarm goes.

2

1 minute

 VISUALISE THE D7 Chord

Set the timer.

Without touching the guitar VISUALISE your fingers playing the chord.

Visualise which finger goes on which string in which fret.

Stop the second the alarm goes

3

1 minute

 TRAIN THE FINGERS WITH NO POWER ON THE GUITAR

Set the timer.

Now you will finger the chords you have just diagrammed.

WITHOUT any power or strength in the hand place the fingers - one by one - in the correct position for the chord ensuring:

  • start from the 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st finger then thumb (the reverse to what you might want to first do)
  • the fingers stand on their tips (no pressure)
  • the thumb is utterly relaxed
  • the hand had pivoted correctly (if required)
  • the shoulders, elbow, wrist through to the fingertips are relaxing

Hold the chord with no pressure for ten seconds and release relaxed hand completely.

Repeat this stepfour times.

Stop the second the alarm goes.

4

2 minutes

 TRAIN THE AIRFORCE ON AND OFF THE GUITAR

Set the timer.


Replace the fingers back on the chord with NO POWER.

When the points in step 2 have been checked and the hand is utterly relaxed, squeeze the chord with MAXIMUM POWER and then RELEASE the hand.

IN CHORD FORMATION and move the hand with fingers in PERFECT FORMATION and no power, to drop by your side, rest them there in formation, and then, still in formation, move the fingers through the air, to land on the chord, as a formation, as an air force.

Let the formation land on the neck and if necessary adjust the fingers or formation. Be very aware of where your fingers land.

When they are correctly placed, hold the formation for 10 seconds with NO POWER then on the count of 10, squeeze the chord with MAXIMUM POWER and release the hand IN CHORD FORMATION and repeat the previous step.

Repeat the step 4 times altogether with the key point being to ensure your muscles hold the formation through the air at all (the) times you can.

Stop the second the alarm goes.

5

2 minutes

 SOUND THE CHORD

Set the timer.

Bring your airforce onto the chord and finger the chord, Ensure very muscle is in place and then depress the chord with maximum power.

Check that your muscles from the fingertips to the shoulder, including thumb, wrist, forearm, elbow, upper arm and shoulder are all relaxed.

Set your metronome to MM=40 beats per minute.

With your picking hand

  • play each string in the chord ultra slowly
  • play each string and let the string sound for three beats
  • on the fourth beat, take a breath in, prepare your pick (or thumb or finger)
  • as the pick comes down to strike the next string on the fifth beat, simultaneously squeeze the chord with FULL POWER
  • between strokes hold the chord with FULL POWER and then reapply FULL POWER by squeezing the chord at the same instant your pick starts the stroke to hit the string
  • repeat this process with all strings in the chords depressed by the fretting hand

When the last note has been played, hold the chord for another four beats then release the left hand in formation and hold the hand by your side as in step two.


After a 10 second break take a few seconds to return the airforce back to the fingerboard and then repeat this step.

  • Do not play any string more than once.
  • If you make a mistake leave it until the next time.
  • Do not compound one mistake with several more.
  • Play each string once - whether it's correct or not.
  • Allow your left hand muscles to prepare to make each string sound
  • TRUST YOURSELF to fix it up the next time.

Stop the second the alarm goes.

6

2 minutes

 TAKE A BREAK.

Set the timer.

Put the guitar down. Grab a drink. Do a stretch. Anything but guitar.
Put your mind on anything but guitar.

Important: Absolutely do not play in this time. Let your muscles imprint what they have just learnt. Let your body make the adjustments it need to for the muscles to code the information.

Also, let the mind relax. It has just been concentrating for 7 minutes. Give it a break.

Stop the second the alarm goes.