In this tutorial series we will use a backing track to practice the chords C, F, and G major. We are going to focus on two things: getting from one chord shape to the next and doing it in time with the music.

Anytime you practice it is valuable to have a reliable standard to measure your progress. Usually this involves playing some specific musical idea, scales or chords along with a metronome in order to gradually improve. In this case, we have a group of chords that we will practice over a backing track. In my experience it is much more motivating, rewarding and fun to play along with a backing track than a metronome. A metronome certainly has it's place in the musician's tool kit. But, we are eventually going to play music.

So why not practice our chords along with some musical accompaniment?!

The backing track is a simple audio recording of a bass and drums playing the same thing over and again. The bass is playing even 1/8 notes walking from chord to chord; each chord gets two measures, making a total of 8 measures then repeating. The drums outlines a simple back beat pop-rock rhythm with a cymbal crash to mark the chord changes. Each lesson page has it's own audio file to play in the page or download as an MP3 to use offline whenever you desire.

The ulitmate goal with this tutorial is to play along with every chord or note, changing at the right time and playing right along in rhythm. Along the way you may need to "miss" the last chord or two in any measure in order to get to the next chord in time. That's fine. Do that until you can add those "missing" chords and fill in all the blanks.