Week 8 of 27
Goal: You play D and A7 and accompany songs in D.
Review
Last week: down-up. Play Row, Row, Row Your Boat in A with down-up.
Step by step
- D is a little triangle: index finger G string 2nd fret, ring finger B string 3rd fret, middle finger high e string 2nd fret.
- With D you strum only the four thin strings, starting from the D string. Aim your thumb at the D string.
- A7 is easy: middle finger D string and ring finger B string, both at the 2nd fret. The G string stays open. Don’t play the low E string.
- Switching D – A7: your ring finger slides on the B string from the 3rd to the 2nd fret. Keep it resting lightly on the string – it’s your guide finger.
- Then play along: Old MacDonald in D – with D and A7.
Time to make music: your piece
Old MacDonald in D with D and A7 – first downstrokes only, then down-up. When it works, Yankee Doodle in D comes next.
Homework for next time
Five days, about ten minutes each:
- Tune first every day.
- Day 1: play D, strum only four strings.
- Days 2–3: D – A7 with your guide finger on the B string.
- Days 4–5: play along with Old MacDonald in D.
- Fun: do the animal noises at “E-I-E-I-O”!
Done when …
- D rings clearly on four strings
- you switch D – A7 in time
- you get through Old MacDonald once
If you get stuck
- With D the high e string doesn’t ring? Your middle finger needs to stand up steeply. Turn your wrist slightly forwards.
- A muddy rumble? You’re hitting the low strings too. Start your strum at the D string.
For teachers: lesson plan
- ≈ 10 min Warm-up: “build the triangle” – everyone plays D and shows their hand; the teacher checks that the fingers make a triangle.
- ≈ 15 min Practice: D – A7 round and round, the teacher calls “slide” at each change. Who keeps the ring finger on the string?
- ≈ 20 min Together: Old MacDonald in D – children take turns choosing an animal for the next verse.
Differentiation: those who are confident play the piece with down-up or help a partner; those who need more time strum only on beat one of each bar.
For the board: openstring.de/gitarre/en/lesson/8/