Some other ideas to consider when playing in drop D tuning (standard guitar tuning with the 6th string tuned down one whole step to a low D):

1. Use your index and middle fingers to pick out the lead (melody or counter-melody, or just filler-in notes) on the treble strings while you play a steady alternate bass with your thumb.

2. Alternatively, use your thumb to pluck out the melody (or counter-melody, etc.) on the bass strings while your other fingers brush or tickle the treble strings on the off beats. This will give your music a Carter Family feeling. When doing this you will get some really nice sounds by hammering-on and/or choking the 4th, 5th, or 6th string at the 3rd fret, allowing you to "play in the cracks" between the natural and the sharp.

3. If you need to get a low E into the bass, wrap your thumb around the neck to hold down the 6th string on the 2nd fret. I find this useful when playing an E, E7, A, A7, Am, C, etc. If you need to play an Em, try wrapping your thumb really far around so you can barre the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings while leaving the three highest strings open.

4. You can get a really fine G chord by stopping the 5th string on the 2nd fret and the stopping the 2nd string on the 3rd fret. You can stop the 1st string on the 3rd fret as well, which will give you a high g note, or else you can leave it open as a high e. This will produce a G6 chord, which carries in it a hint of the relative minor (Em). Of course, you can also get a G7 this was by stopping the 1st string on the 1st fret instead of leaving that string open.

That should be plenty to get you started. Best of luck.

--- Steve