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Chord Switching


Aidi.
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Joined: 09/02/11
Posts: 5
Aidi.
Registered User
Joined: 09/02/11
Posts: 5
09/21/2011 8:49 pm
Hi Folks,

Just a quick question about Chord switching. At the moment i am practicing switching between G, C, D and Em. Very slow at first, but starting to improve.

From your experience, because the brain has learnt switching betwen G, C, D and Em will it be easier and quicker progression as you start switching between other different chords?

Or is it a case of being back to square one? Hope you understand what i am trying to get at with my question!!

Rgds
Aidi
# 1
hunter1801
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hunter1801
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09/21/2011 9:29 pm
Every different chord has a different shape, so your hands/fingers are going to need to get used to a new one every time. It does get easier learning each one though. Right now your fingers aren't having trouble because of the chords themselves, but because they are doing things and bending in ways they aren't used to. Once they get "trained" to feel more comfortable on the guitar, different chords will seem easier to get.

It's more of a matter of controlling your fingers if that makes sense. No matter what chord you practice, your fingers overall will get used to moving around, so you won't have to start from square one when you learn a different chord. You'll just need to memorize now where your fingers go, instead of learning how to control your fingers since you've already been doing that.

Think of it like learning to drive. Every car feels and drives different. When you FIRST learn to drive, it's a lot to take in. Once you've driven your car around and learned, you can switch to another car (even if it's bigger, smaller, faster, slower, etc) and you don't have to relearn how to drive. You just have to get used to the feel of the different car.
# 2
Aidi.
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Aidi.
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Posts: 5
09/21/2011 10:14 pm
Thanks for the prompt reply. It makes perfect sense, and the analogy about driving a car is what i was trying to convey!!

Thanks again

Rgds
Aidi
# 3
SunKing1
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Joined: 05/31/11
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SunKing1
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Posts: 36
09/23/2011 9:58 pm
Hi, here's another easy progression for starters:

Am, E, Am, Dm

All notes are close so you can easily practice arpeggios and strumming patterns.
Have a good one!
# 4
LisaMcC
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 11/02/06
Posts: 4,068
LisaMcC
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 11/02/06
Posts: 4,068
09/24/2011 1:05 pm
Hi Aidi,

Great questions. I wonder if you've seen this tutorial on Seamless Chord Changes? It teaches some basic principles you can use to make all of your changes smoother and quicker.

Let me know if this helps!

Seamless Chord Changes for Beginners

Best wishes, Lisa
Lisa McCormick, GT Instructor
Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Blues

Full Catalog of Lisa's Guitar Tricks Tutorials
Find Lisa on Facebook!
# 5
Aidi.
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Joined: 09/02/11
Posts: 5
Aidi.
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Joined: 09/02/11
Posts: 5
09/25/2011 6:14 pm
I have watched the section a few times now Lisa, and its of great help, but its just putting it into practice!!

I am doing Brown Eyed girl with G,C,D & Em. Its starting to come together now. I think half my problem was keeping the motion in the right hand continuous and not pausing between changes.

Still hitting lots of bum notes, but it is recognizable as Brown Eyed Girl!!

Rgds
Aidi
# 6
michaelsocarras
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Joined: 07/29/10
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michaelsocarras
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Joined: 07/29/10
Posts: 12
09/29/2011 3:06 am
Originally Posted by: Aidi.Hi Folks,

Just a quick question about Chord switching. At the moment i am practicing switching between G, C, D and Em. Very slow at first, but starting to improve.

From your experience, because the brain has learnt switching betwen G, C, D and Em will it be easier and quicker progression as you start switching between other different chords?

Or is it a case of being back to square one? Hope you understand what i am trying to get at with my question!!

Rgds
Aidi


It will be easier but it will still be new so your fingers will need adjusting. Keep practicing like your doing. Learn all the chords that way you wont have problems. Try switching the order around too. Like C Em D G or Em D C G or G D C Em
# 7

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