Rick tried to convince me to play in DADGAD or an open tuning because they were easy. I think the whole idea was 1) Learn basics, 2) Play with others, and 3) Get better. Now, I can usually tell if I suck, and I'll play quietly if I'm not absolutely sure I've got it. Others sometimes won't, and it may be that DADGAD is the bodhran of guitar playing: it can be played with skill and grace, but it also can be played intrusively and incompetently by folks who can't tell when they suck and don't care to listen to themselves.

Anyway, open D was TOO easy and I just plain didn't get DADGAD. That is, until I got back to playing my dulcimer. I had a little epiphany: if I can play dulcimer, I should be able to play DADGAD! The third string is the melody string of the dulcimer. I learned some chords, and moved 'em around a bit, and a friend who plays Greek music (and a 5-course cittern) showed me some movable positions.

This dulcimer-like playing is fine for accompanying one's self or melody instruments only, but if you play with folks who are playing chords or harmonies, you're going to clash unless you're playing the same chords with no extra notes. It's OK - I've got three basic chords down and printed the charts from duellingbouzoukis' site to work on. (WOW!!! Thanks for that, DB, and to Pete Jennings who gave us the link.)

Anyway, I'm new to DADGAD, and I'm posting from the perspective of a newbie. If your opinions on playing differ from mine, you're probably right. Although if I say something sounds crappy, I'm right (unless I change my mind).