There are many chords that I finger differently depending on what precedes or follows them. In addition to that, whether strumming up or down or fingerpicking can make a difference in which strings need to get be fretted first. In many cases, the musical genre or walking notes will make a certain fingering or voicing more suitable.

The traditional G (320003-MRoooP) is handy for folk tunes because the G7 (320001-MRoooI) and C(+5) (x32013-xMRoIP) are easily moved for beginners, as one or more fingers stay anchored. The inner G7 (323003-MIRooP) is common in flamenco, and the G(+5) (320033-MIooRP) adds a nice open harmony near the top as mentioned earlier. Probably the best thing about the first fingering (MRoooP) is that it leaves both the index and pinky free to work in melody notes or walk to the next chord.

The half-bar D (x*0232-x*oIMI) is far more convenient for adding melody or bass walks, as both the ring and pinky are free, and transition to a barred A (*02225-*oIIIP) or Bm (x24432-xIRPMI) or even a fuller 2nd position D (x54232-xPRIMI) is fairly easy. For the fingered D (x*0232-x*oMRI) seems more useful because rotation around the middle finger to get D7 (x*0212-x*oMIR) or sliding the index finger to get Dm (x*0231-x*oMRI) leave anchoring fingers on the fretboard and the pinky free to ornament. The major exception to this is when you need a strong bass walk down, in which case the alternate fingering D (x*0212-x*oRPM) leaves the index finger free to reach for the low F or F#. The first D fingerings seem more applicable to folk tunes, and the alternatives more common in classical or medieval melodies.

Thumb placement can be very important with regard to rotation of the palm and finger extension, as mentioned above. If dexterity is an issue, getting the bass fingers planted first before stretching to get the treble fingers settled on the down-strokes might help, and vice versa on the up-strokes.

(Now if anyone has suggestions regarding first position A (*02220), after 30-something years my only excuse is that I've got wide palms and short fingers ... basically I use any possible excuse to play A7 (*02020) or bar it up the neck instead. )

~S~