[tlz21]

Ok, so I've got the basic chords down, it's just so hard for me to switch. I mean, I can switch, but not fast, therefore, it's hard to play any song.

Anyone have any tips on how to practice to help speed up switching (or is it simply just going back and forth between chords until it becomes natural?)

[Hilch]

I am only learning myself ( about 2 years ) I have foound if I slow down the song I wanna play slow it down real slow strum nice and slow get my changes right then after doing that for awhile I increase my tempo ..

It works for me

[cshude]

Practice with your eyes closed. Helps build better muscle memory. Also, listen intently to the sound of the chord- that will help develop your ear as well.

[dougp23]

I am very new to this, only playing for about a month. If I have a 3 chord song, let's say G, D, C, Am, I practice getting the G just perfect. Then I get the D perfect. Then I practice switching from G to D over and over and over!! Then I try my C chord. Then I try swicthing from D to C over and over and over!! Then I try G to D to C.

I'm still abysmally slow at switching, but that's ok! I expect it will take me sometime to get the chord swicthing to where I want it to be. Anyway, this way works for me.

[OldG]

When strumming chords (which is not as often as I should) I tend to find myself adding a double time/double strum at the end of the chord I'm playing...

the first is still in the chord I'm changing from,
the second I strum while I'm in the process of changing my fingers - this helps to keep the song flowing whilst I'm making the new chord shape.

It seems to work well for a lot of tunes and it may be cheating - but I thought it may help in some situations.

I have attached a very short rough clip to show what I'm talkin about, see what you think...

[lorispencer]

that's one of the most difficult things at first. Work on rhythm and not on speed. slow down until you can keep a steady beat and then begin to speed up that beat and force your fingers to move faster. as stated above, if one change is harder than another, spend more time on that change only. This will make you a super player. In a few months, you will be beyond this and will be finding new things that are hard. remember when you couldn't get a clean chord and you got through that.

Eventually, through muscle memory your finges will be playing chord shapes not individual strings of a chord. At your stage, when you make a chord you place one finger on a string at a time and you increase in speed by increasing the speed at which you place individual fingers. soon your fingers will know your basic chords as diagram that can be replicated anywhere. You will be placing all fingers at one time. a C7 shape placed at the 1st fret normally can be placed at the 3rd (d7), 5th (e7), 6 (f7), 8 (g7) just as quickly with no additional thought. that's when you imagination can take your playing to almost anywhere.

[guttertrashsingalong]

tlz i used a metronome set at a low speed strummed each chord 4 times then switched to next till i delvolped a decent rhythm and accuracy then i set it faster as i got better.the good thng about using t for me it also helped me develop timingthat way i wasnt that far off timing wise when i entered a band.good luck and things get better with time and welcome to the site

[Justapicker]

Playing slowly and in time is the key. Watch exactly how your fingers move and shape themselves. They should be making the next shape as you move from one chord to the next. Over time it becomes second nature.

[tlz21]

Wow, thanks everyone, finally some great advice!
I especially like the idea of trying to play with your eyes closed.
*off to practice*

[medicq]

I like using the metronome. I'll progress from four strums per chord to two and then one before increasing the tempo.
I also like the idea of closing your eyes, because I picture the chord that I am switching to.
When every possible I'll pivot or slide my fingers to position.
pivot - say your going from C, 032010, to D7, XX0212. You use your index finger on the first fret, middle finger on the second and ring finger on the third for you C. Just leave your index finger in place and move your middle finger from the D string to the G string and your ring finger from the A string to the second fret on the 1st E.
slide - a lot like pivot, but instead of leaving the pivot finger in place you slide up or down to the fret you need.

Allen

[randomaire]

Hey Oldg, I do that myself, its especially helpful when you're trying to finger a harder chord, I think its fine when you're getting used to switching and you hear a lot of songs where you can hear that happening.

It makes the chord ring out more, hiding the pause to the next chord or a mis fingered string.

Chords to me though is just repetition and switching, take a few chords a day and spend time fingering and switching. Pick some new chords the next day and do this for about a week, and then over the weekend go back through those chords and switch between all of em.... basically don't try to take a 10 chord progression and expect to be able to switch quick when you're just starting. It will only frustrate you, start slow and easy and then build up, be comfortable with the chord you are playing.

[randomaire]

I think the best thing I've seen that will help you alot is on this site where Kirk does the beginners lesson for Knockin on heavens door. If you go through that lesson and practice it over and over for a little while, you get to where you feel the rythym and get to learn the chords also... its like the best of both worlds.

True beginner? Here's a lesson for you!
True beginner's lesson - Part 2
True Beginner's lesson - Part 3

[PhilUSAFRet]

I'm new too, but my philosophy is play them correctly, repeatedly, and eventually the speed will come. Last time I expected too much too soon, I gave up playing. Now I am very stoic about it. When I start fingering my chords slopily because my hand is cramping, I stop for a short rest, loosen up the hand, then try again. True about a lot of things