When I first started learning guitar the first and hardest problem that I remember was being able to change chords fast enough so it would not interfere with my rhythm.
As I got a little better the problem was always there.
For example I would be playing a song I just learned and everything sounded good until I had to make the switch from like a F to a G chord.
Then the song i was playing would come to a stop for a couple of seconds and would start back up when I could make the switch.
Sound familiar? For some reason I always noticed it more when I was playing in front of someone.
Even today I still run into the same problem with new chords I have never played.
Luckily I was taught a little secret that helped me with this throughout the years.
When I was a beginner chord changes used to kill me until I learned this secret.
First, I want you to learn how to strengthen your muscle memory.
Muscle memory is basically being able to play a chord with out thinking about where your fingers are placed.
Your mind basically has this memorized and when you go to play the chord the muscles in your fingers already know where they go.
An old guitar teacher of mine showed me a way to speed this process up a bit.
This is how it works.
Pick any beginner chord change that you are having problems with and start with the first chord.
Hold the chord like your are about to strum it.
Now hold it down harder than you normally would and keep holding it for a minute.
After a minute is up look away from your hand.
While looking away, stretch your arm out and then try to make that chord again.
You may notice how your hand and fingers go back into that position with out you even looking.
Now try this with the rest of the chords.
This should help speed up your chord changes a bit.
Keep practicing with new chords you learn.
When I was a beginner, chord changes between barre chords was tough.
I remember not being able to keep the rhythm up if I was going to hit every chord.
Then I notice pick scrapes and open notes.
In some cases you can get away with playing some open notes in between chords to give your fingers a little extra time to make the transition.
Using pick scrapes while following the beat can achieve the same outcome.
Our main goal here is to be able to have a seamless transition between chords.
Once this happens you will not have to focus on this part of the song anymore and you can go on to what may be next.
You will be able to change chords while talking or singing before to long.
These are a few tips that helped me when I was a beginner and hopefully they will for you to.
As I got a little better the problem was always there.
For example I would be playing a song I just learned and everything sounded good until I had to make the switch from like a F to a G chord.
Then the song i was playing would come to a stop for a couple of seconds and would start back up when I could make the switch.
Sound familiar? For some reason I always noticed it more when I was playing in front of someone.
Even today I still run into the same problem with new chords I have never played.
Luckily I was taught a little secret that helped me with this throughout the years.
When I was a beginner chord changes used to kill me until I learned this secret.
First, I want you to learn how to strengthen your muscle memory.
Muscle memory is basically being able to play a chord with out thinking about where your fingers are placed.
Your mind basically has this memorized and when you go to play the chord the muscles in your fingers already know where they go.
An old guitar teacher of mine showed me a way to speed this process up a bit.
This is how it works.
Pick any beginner chord change that you are having problems with and start with the first chord.
Hold the chord like your are about to strum it.
Now hold it down harder than you normally would and keep holding it for a minute.
After a minute is up look away from your hand.
While looking away, stretch your arm out and then try to make that chord again.
You may notice how your hand and fingers go back into that position with out you even looking.
Now try this with the rest of the chords.
This should help speed up your chord changes a bit.
Keep practicing with new chords you learn.
When I was a beginner, chord changes between barre chords was tough.
I remember not being able to keep the rhythm up if I was going to hit every chord.
Then I notice pick scrapes and open notes.
In some cases you can get away with playing some open notes in between chords to give your fingers a little extra time to make the transition.
Using pick scrapes while following the beat can achieve the same outcome.
Our main goal here is to be able to have a seamless transition between chords.
Once this happens you will not have to focus on this part of the song anymore and you can go on to what may be next.
You will be able to change chords while talking or singing before to long.
These are a few tips that helped me when I was a beginner and hopefully they will for you to.
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