Suggestion how to identify and replace various chord shapes

Hello,

I find I have difficulties playing various chord shapes, the traditional way to play chords.

Some examples -- Am, C, and D. Trying countless times, numerous days, over and over. I ventured out to find "easier" ways to play these and others that I have issues with. Example for the C I found cmaj7 just use 2 fingers on 2 frets - A&D. Another for the D - Dsus2, same with 2 strings.

My issue is remembering the alternate, "easier" way to play when I'm working on lessons. The issue is I see there are many ways to play chords, my issue is once I find it to retain, and try to not confuse myself further. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob

Hi Bob

not trying to be obnoxious, but you mentioned you have tried over several days. I don’t know what this means as in how long this has been but I wouldn’t stop trying to get the open chords unless you have a definite handicap like arthritis. 

The reason I am questioning this is that the A minor is one of the easier open chords to make. 

7 chords, sus chords are great, but they bring a different voicing. So before making suggestions I would try to help by starting with how much time in you have trying to practice these. And, how many chords are you trying to learn at the same time? I think (not sure of your age) just enough to play a song is all I want to tackle at the same time. 

Bill

Hi Bob, 

It is perfectly normal to have some trouble nailing down those basic chords, with all their notes. 
But I would strongly encourage you to stick with it, with the goal of getting those basic chords under your belt. 
Take your time, but hold onto that goal. 
The easier variations you suggested are all lovely chords in and of themselves - and may work nicely in certain contexts, with certain songs. But they are not considered direct “swap-outs”, because as Bill mentioned above, they will necessarily have a different sound and mood than the “full” chord. 
A C chord sounds different than a CMaj7 chord. D sounds different than Dsus2. 

enjoy the variations, but also, keep working those basics! 
you will get them, I have faith!

- Lisa

I would experiment with different fingerings before different chords. For example:

I play what Lisa calls the "pinkie G". I find it makes transitions to other chords easier.

Even though I bought a wide neck guitar, I still have trouble with the "A" chord because of my large fingers. I absolutely cannot play using 1,2,3 fingers. I can barely squeeze the 2,3,4 fingers in, and it feels clumsy. For now I am using a sort of modified barre, where my index hits the two "lowest" strings, and my middle frets the third. This is easiest for the song I am practicing now.

On both of those chords, I may use different fingering in the future on different song progressions.

I can totally sympathize with frustration. I have only been playing since October, and my slow progress with moving through basic open chords is very challenging mentally. I generally do not like to do things that I am not naturally good at. I have expectations that I will learn quickly, and make fast progress in all things I do. If not, I tend to not do them. I am sticking with the guitar, and working through my "issues", but it is not easy.

Thank you all the the helpful replies. Just to review a few items - 

Thankfully I have no issues with my fingers or hands, no arthritis, etc. Issue is fingers often laying down on other strings, I do not have big hands, or wide fingers, fingers are rather slim. I'm working on Fundamentals 2, lesson 6. Learn song: Searching high and low. Concerning the time spent, today marks 8 days on this lesson, I'm trying to move in a slow, smooth transition to the 3 chords (Am, C, D) in the lesson. My practice is 45 minutes daily (Monday/Friday weekends if time permits), 45 minutes is my limit when my finger tips become uncomfortable. After a 24 hour break I can comfortably go back. 

For sticking with the original chords - I'm now trying different fingers. Example for the Am using index, middle, ring, playing each string there is muting always on the G string, sometimes on the B string. I'm trying to replace the ring ringer with my pinky, with that modification each string rings clean. 

For Guitar - I have the Taylor Big Baby-E, which has a nut with of 1.68".

Thanks,

Bob

You have a good practice schedule Bob and this really is about repetition so keep to your schedule. 

When I started I was very regimented in that I gave each exercise so many minutes per day. I have since changed this to a number of repetitions, usually 10. When something is totally new I go as slow as I need to in order to get clean chords. This can take time. We have to build dexterity. 

Something else to consider is the placement of the elbow in getting our fingers straight. I dug up an old video I made years ago for another member who was struggling with fingers and posted the link below. Hopefully you find it useful. Guitar takes time and repetition. 

Things will come together 

Bill

https://youtu.be/LL3tKRceOYI?si=4BPlACAwdyWjuoPG

Hi Bill,

Thanks again. I reviewed and liked the video, makes a lot of sense.

Bob

Good luck with it Bob!

Bill