D, C & G  "Dixie Style"

 

Lesson Goals:

♦ Learn proper fingering for the "C add9" chord
♦ Learn proper fingering for the "G add5" chord
♦ Understand how to use new chords for the "southern rock" sound

The "D, C & G" chord progression is one of the defining chord progressions in southern and country rock music. It is well used in other genres as well but one of the things that made this progression so conducive to southern rock had to do with the way the chords are often played.

By making a slight variation to the "C" and "G" chords you can take a regular old D, C & G, and turn it into a full blown "Dixiefied" song.

In a "Dixie Style" D, C & G, the "D" chord is played like normal and the variation comes in on the "C" and "G" chords so let's first take a look at a comparison between how we would normally play a "C" chord and what we can do to add some Dixie to it.

As you will notice, the position on the 3rd fret of the 5th string and the 2nd fret of the 4th string is identical and does not change. Only the fingering will be different.

The difference is on the 2nd and 1st strings. Instead of playing the note on the 1st fret of the 2nd string we will now play the note on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string and also add the note on the 3rd fret of the 4th string. Give that a try before moving on.

Now let's take a look at a comparison between how we would normally play a "G" chord and how we can add some "Dixie" to it as well.

In this instance all we really need to do to the "G" chord is to add the note on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. This will require a different fingering approach. Take a moment to try it.

Now let's take a look at all three chords "Dixie Style".

The common denominator with all three chords when played in this style is the note on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. That is a "D" note and is constant when all three chords are played.

This chord progression starts on the "D" chord and is therefore in the key of "D" so by keeping the "D" note constant in all three chords, the "D" note drones through the whole progression giving it that "southern" flavor.

Note: When playing this progression you can keep your 3rd finger stationary on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. When transitioning between the "C add9" and "G add5" chords you can keep your 1st and 2nd fingers in the same position and just change which strings they are on.

Now take a moment and play through a "D, C & G" chord progression "Dixie Style" and get used to the sound.