On alternative tunings: the only ones I've had success with playing minor keys are DADGAD and the Drop D family. Straight open tunings like DADF#AD kind of commit you to a major key. In DADGAD, though, when playing in D major, getting the relative minor bm is not so good -- at least I haven't found I voicing I like.

PoppaGator is of course correct that you don't HAVE to damp the fifth string in a G chord. I do it for two reasons: (1) it leaves me two fingers to play melody notes and (2) I don't like the thick voicing of the G chord with that low B in it anyway. I do use his fingering for a G/B. Just a personal preference, but then again what isn't when it comes to playing guitar? (It may be significant that I play mostly steel string, which has enough volume to cover the "thunk" of the muted string in a full strum. Your mileage may vary.)

I too have seen guitarists with two capos on different frets. Looks amusing but seems serviceable. I'm looking for one I've heard tell of that capos only the 2-3-4 strings (or 3-4-5 if put on upside down). The idea is it's a quick way into EBEABE, which is one step up from DADGAD, while keeping your chord shapes and scales standard. Anyone know the name of it, or tried it?

I've found that playing guitar is so personal that it's really a matter of sorting through all the conflicting suggestions and finding something that works for you. I would never presume to be dogmatic about my own way of doing things.

Amen to PoppaGator's suggestion on Freight Train. Amazing how much there is to learn from that old chestnut. It's what got me started fingerstyle oh so many moons ago.

BTW I'm an old dog trying to learn new tricks myself. After umpty-seven years playing standard I've just recently begun to explore alternative tunings. Pretty cool stuff.

Anyway, good luck to you, Old Folkie.

-HM