chord changes

Hello all.

I'm new to this site and so far so good. however I was wondering how long it takes to make chord changes more smoothley, say between d,e,a etc. I know this is a loaded question but I have been working on this without much luck. I'm stuck building the chords one finger at a time. just one of those frustrating moments that I know will eventually pass

Thanks

John

Originally Posted by: jlima5

Hello all.

I'm new to this site and so far so good. however I was wondering how long it takes to make chord changes more smoothley, say between d,e,a etc. I know this is a loaded question but I have been working on this without much luck. I'm stuck building the chords one finger at a time. just one of those frustrating moments that I know will eventually pass

Thanks

John

Hi John,

I`m guessing from your join date that you`ve only been playing for a few weeks ( Correct me if I`m wrong). I`m also guessing that you`ve started on Guitar Fundamentals 1 . Changing chords is all about repetition and developing muscle memory. It`s an ongoing process that takes time. How long it takes depends on many factors: how long/often you practice, level of motivation, innate ability etc. A few suggestions that could help:

1) Try to practice every day or at least 4-5 times a week . That works better than 1 or two longer sessions per week.

2) Dedicate each practice session to just one or two chord changes. Again, repetition is the key.

3) To make the process easier, consider lowering the guitar`s action ( height of strings) and substituting lighter guage strings, maybe even nylon ones at the beginning. That way less finger pressure is needed to form the chords.

4) This process is a marathon , not a sprint. Enjoy the journey and good luck !

building chords one finger at a time as you change chords will go on a while.

Muscle memory.

Alongside practicing your changes also practice making and holding the chord shape.

Make the chord, lift your fingers a short way off the chord then replace with normal pressure.

Lift off and repeat.

This puts the shape in to muscle memory rather than the making of the shape finger by finger.

Start using a metronome,changing your chords using beats 2,3 and 4 . If you aren't in place for the 1 beat then your speed is set too fast. This gives you something to measure against as you are able to increase the speed of the metronome. Because it's natut=ral to get frustrated thinking your not making progress but you will be, it just will be slow

6 months on and I can make and change chords but not at a speed able to play songs yet

Dave

Moose has given you a good path to developing as a guitarist. His words should help you grow your chops as quickly as it is humanly possible to do so. Heed them!

I also strongly endorse ddiddler's comment about leaning the shapes of the chords. If you have to do this one finger at a time your will never be able to make quick chord changes. Unless you land that finger pattern on all the strings, all at once, you will never acheive your potential as a guitarist. Burn those patterns into your Muscle Memory!!!