Alternatives to the 'Chop Chord' - Mandolin Lesson (Beginner and Intermediate)

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drive.google.com/file/d/1mG3Z...
I get asked a lot how to play the 'Bluegrass Chop' chord. But, it is one heck of a stretch, and I have seen examples of people doing damage to their hand just because they feel they have to play the Chop chord. I'm here to tell you that is incorrect .... and there are alternatives that do EXACTLY the same job! In this lesson we'll look at 4 alternatives to the chop chord that do the same job, but without the hand-damaging stretch that comes with the chop chord.
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0:00 Intro
01:16 What is the Chop Chord
03:20 Option 1
05:16 Option 2
07:24 Option 3
09:39 Option 4

[@Gently469]

Great lesson, Mike, for those of us born with shorter fingers. And yes, the mere strumming of a dead chord can create a percussive quality which absolutely adds to any song.

[@MandoMikeLessons]

Thanks! Can't go wrong with the dead chord - no-one will notice :)

[@djba]

Thanks Mike … as a beginner I understand the snare drum idea behind the chop chord but I haven’t been successful at getting the right sound out of the classic shape. Thanks for presenting these alternatives.

[@tscheffeftschi]

Great! Thanks!

[@MandoMikeLessons]

You're welcome!

[@irishmandolin9488]

Excellent lesson. Thanks

[@MandoMikeLessons]

Glad you liked it!

[@larrychoat]

I do a bar with my first finger 2 frets behind the normal open chord position to limit my stretch. It pretty much sounds the same.

[@Gently469]

Yea, that works for me too!

[@johnterhune4153]

Very interesting chop chords

[@MandoMikeLessons]

Thanks!

[@skoffco]

Interesting lesson. I believe it is sung …..far away in my Blue Ridge MOUNTAIN home…..

[@MandoMikeLessons]

... hence why I'm not a singer