The D grip: fingers, strings and the change from C

In the D grip three fingers make a small triangle. The main tip for the right hand is just as simple: you strike only the four thinner strings.

Form the D grip

We count strings from the thinnest. Put the index (1) on string 3, at the second fret. Place the middle (2) on string 1, also at the second fret. The ring finger (3) goes between them: on string 2, at the third fret.

String 4 rings open, with no pressing. Its D note is the lowest note of this grip. Do not strike strings 5 and 6.

Check the four strings

Play strings 4, 3, 2 and 1 one at a time. Each should ring. If the thinnest string stays silent, the ring finger is probably touching it on the side. Stand more upright on the fingertip and check again. Do not rebuild the whole grip at once if the problem is one string.

Change once from C to D

Form C and strike from string 5. Lift the fingers just a little above the neck, form the D triangle and strike from open string 4. In this change no finger stays in place, so first give yourself time to find the three new points.

Repeat C, D, C with no counting. Listen for two things: whether all four right strings sound on D, and whether strings 5 and 6 do not sneak in. When the movement itself is clear, you can gradually shorten the gap.