Hey Marc,
I am a fan of the "anchor-finger" method, especially in the beginning.
Sure, ultimately our goal is to land the whole chord all at once, and the anchor-finger technique can get you there, along with some added benefits.
For instance, if the bass note of the chord (the lowest note in the chord) is a FRETTED NOTE, that should always be put into place first. Why? Because with most strumming or picking techniques you use, THAT NOTE will be the first note that is played when you get to the next chord.
Buys you a microsecond or two of extra time to get the other fingers in place.
Over time, this microsecond will no longer be needed, as your physical memory takes in the enirety of what must be done to play the chord on time, with good tone. Plus, it lays a nice "bassy" foundation to the sound of the chord, which makes it sound more grounded.
So this "basss-note-first anchor-finger" technique will work well with any of the open-chords that have a fretted bass note - like C, G, F.
And all barre chords!
In other situations, like open chords whose bass note is an open string (like D, Dm, A, Am, E, Em), your bass note is a freebie. In that case,you want to think about what chord you are coming FROM, and what chord you are going TO, and see if it makes sense to name any particular finger "the anchor finger", because of how it is positoned in chord #1, and then in chord #2.
In some cases, the anchor-finger may not have to move at all! Like when going from Am to D7. You'd just leave your index finer in place on the second string, first fret, as you make the switch. Really helps to streamline the switch.
I hope this makes sense and helps a little!
- Lisa
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