Hi Kochj,

Keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules. Lisa is demonstrating some strategies to try to make chord changes smoother and faster, but these aren't rules, so you get to try it out and use what works for you. Different things work better for different people. [br][br]

With regards to one "rule" taking precedence over another, it would be situational. In the D chord the bass note is the open D string, so there is not quite as much urgency to get to the bass note first.

The reason you might want to move middle finger first when switching from Am to D is to get it out of the way as you slide your hand up one fret to get to D. As you slide your hand, you bring your middle finger down from the 4th string, 2nd fret to the first string, same fret. You'll notice that this finger will usually end up right up against the fret wire on the first string.

At the same time, you bring your index finger up one string and up one fret - from 2nd string 1st fret to3rd string 2nd fret. So your middle finger really does have to move first to allow the index finger to get in there. The index finger will probably end up just a little bit further back from the fret wire, but not too far. [br][br]

While the first two fingers are doing their little ballet move, your 3rd finger just drops down one string and slides up the neck one fret. [br][br]

As I sit here with guitar in hand doing this, I actually think my third finger probably arrives at the destination first because it has less movement than the other two. For me, the 3rd finger is really more of a slide than a lift and shift, and it feels like an anchor while the first two fingers swap positions with each other. So my technique might be described as "slide up one fret, anchor the 3rd finger on 2nd string, and swap your first two fingers as your hand slides up."

I have to qualify this by pointing out that I am also a beginner, just a few weeks further along than you. What I describe works really well for me, so it might work for a fellow beginner. At the end of the day the best way is the way that works for you. Good luck, and keep on practicing.

Dave...