When to expect to hit chords without looking?

Hi All,

I'm fairly new here. Have been doing the beginner courses with success. Just curious as to what the time frame should be on playing without looking down at my left hand? I want to kind of steer my expectations so I'm not finding myself frustrated that my fingers aren't doing what I want them to do without me actually looking.

Thanks,

Probably Thursday.

It varies and everybody is different. So many variables to consider. Your age. How much you practice. And, for better or worse, we all have different natural abilities. I've been trying to learn guitar for a few years now. But I'm old and it is coming slowly. But there are a few chords I can switch to without much peeking. But I think if you watch even the best players they will look down occasionally to reposition themselves.

Just know it will come. I suggest you not set your expectations by others' guidelines or timelines. To do so is going to cause you more frustration than your "fingers aren't doing what" (you) "want them to do without me actually looking".

It's an old conflict... Make sure your hand and fingers are properly placed but don't look at your fret hand. The first is imperative, the second is necessary for proper guitar and singing posture.

As matonanjin2 says, it will come. Then there will be new chords and riffs to learn. I find I make the best progress when I force myself not to look as soon as I can when practicing anything new. Surprisingly, I often find that my chord changes are actually faster when I'm not looking.

Good luck, have fun.

Originally Posted by: kmauzoul

Hi All,

I'm fairly new here. Have been doing the beginner courses with success. Just curious as to what the time frame should be on playing without looking down at my left hand? I want to kind of steer my expectations so I'm not finding myself frustrated that my fingers aren't doing what I want them to do without me actually looking.

Thanks,

I'll answer this from several decades of playing; I wouldn't even worry about it.

If you're becoming frustrated because you don't want to not look at the fretboard, then look at the fretboard. The reason is that it doesn't really matter whether you do or don't look. There always seems to be the sense that not looking means a mastery of something and that's not totally true.

I mean, sure; when you can look away, you've probably improved to a certain level. But it's not a measurement that matters.

Those decades of playing I talk about? I do have a pretty solid command of the instrument but still often look at what I'm playing. Particularly if I'm learning something new. I don't even think about when I do and I don't look. It doesn't really matter.

That's kinda the point; when you've got something down, you'll naturally spend less time looking. It happens organically. If you force yourself to not look, you're just frustrating yourself for no real tangible benefit.

So, look as often as you need to. No reason not to.

Originally Posted by: matonanjin2Probably Thursday.

You're such a tease matonanjin2. Everyone knows it'll take until Monday. 😋