Blues in D — alternating bass fingerstyle
Unlike G7, which uses all 6 strings of the guitar (with a genuine alternating-bass option between the low E string and the A string), D7 and A7 each have only one bass string played (D and A respectively): on these two chords, the thumb therefore returns to the same string rather than alternating between two distinct bass notes. The name 'alternating bass' for this technique fully applies to G7, but only symbolically to D7 and A7.
Tips
On D7 and A7, don't look for a real alternation: focus on the thumb's regularity as it returns to the same string.
On G7, by contrast, consciously work the alternation between the two available bass strings.
Listen for the difference in bass richness between G7 and the other two chords: it's intentional, not a playing flaw.
Chord progression — D
Chords
Related sheets
- Blues in G arpeggios — fast tempo (Level 6)
- Blues in E — double-time shuffle (Level 6)
- Blues in D — full grid at fast tempo (Level 6)