Open G guitar, better position for major chords

Question

I am trying to master Russian 7-string guitar which has Open G tuning. Unfortunately, there is so little literature on this instrument for dummies like me. Now with the Open G I have to decide whether to play major chords D, Eb E, F using simple barre on frets 7 and more (technically it is lot easier for me), or to use different chord positions without barre on first frets (which is more difficult, I have much longer pauses changing chords). For me, both variants of chords sound Ok. What is the reccomended strategy for beginner players in Open G? How to better play major chords - in a more convinient way or the other ways due to some (unforseen by me at this time) reasons?

Answer 1

What I do with students, to help them understand chords on standard guitars, is to make a list of notes needed, for example, E major is E G♯ and B. Then try to find a set of those notes on frets close to each other. Not always easy, or doable, but it produces some chord shapes, most of which are the ones found in many chord charts.

I suggest you do the same, muting offending strings as and when necessary. Make a copy of the chord shapes as you go.

My Russian 7 string was tuned the moment I bought it, to standard, with a low B. That's what I thought it should be! Awful action, sounds bad, so it's just a momento now.