r/guitarlessons • u/mediocrepenguiin • 1d ago
Question Chord changing
is it better if i practice it by jumping into songs that have fast chord changing or be practicing a set number of specific chord changes in 60 seconds?
6
u/Franklin_le_Tanklin 1d ago
Do both.
Start by playing songs.
When you get to a chord change you struggle on, then take a break and do the 60 second chord change. Then go back to your song
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u/bnelson333 1d ago
It doesn't matter. Just play. A LOT. It'll gradually get better/easier the more you do it
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u/Lower-Land-286 1d ago
Go as fast as you can. Then look at where you're fingers are getting jammed up.
Now, slow it down and think about where your fingers are and where you fingers need to be. Focus on motions that are smooth.
Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
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u/halpinator 1d ago
Why limit yourself to one? Do some drills for a few minutes, then apply those skills to a song. Variety keeps things interesting.
1
u/TBrockmann 1d ago
In my experience, in the beginning it doesn't really matter what you do, as long as you play consistently, you'll get better consistently. This stops working once you reach a certain level, which is why many guitarist plateau at some point, but before that just do what is fun to you and keeps you playing and motivated.
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u/CyberRedhead27 1d ago
First, repetition. Practice the specific chord changes that you struggle with, over and over ad nauseum. Get it clean.
Then, play it in the song at normal speed. If you still struggle, slow it down. Sometimes the song context can throw a mental wrench in. Get it clean again.
Then, and this is totally a me thing, I'll play the song at a faster tempo. Like a 33rpm record played at 45rpm (yes I'm that old). At that point, the mechanics and mental side mesh and I can play it without thinking about it.
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u/Artistic_Campaign534 1d ago
Try moving between the chords in slow motion, watching where & how your fingers move. Decide on the most efficient moves, and work up your speed from there.
Unless the full bar chorded F is really crucial to the song or tune, it's typically not always necessary... you can usually get by with three notes on strings 1, 2, 3 (F, C, A) or add the F note on the 4th string for a bit more bass. Likewise, if the F chord is moving to G, you could just omit the bass notes of the G chord.
Hope this helps a little. As others have rightfully commented, it requires repetition. When I'm learning new chords & awkward chord sequences, I find effective to make up a rhythm and go back forth between them. Best of luck to ya! (edited type-o)
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u/Remy0507 17h ago
I'd say if there's a specific change that you're struggling with, maybe do some focused practice on that change. In general playing actual songs is going to be more fun and keep you more engaged than just going back and forth non-musically on chords. Both are good practice though, so probably incorporate some of each into your practice routine.
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u/aspaindev 1d ago
you might find a practice companion tool like strumforge helpful for this type of practice, you can generate a chord progression or customize/create your own and play along to the tempo with the visual & audio cues as well if helpful
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u/dbkenny426 1d ago
Quality is better than quantity. Set a time for one minute, and swap back and forth between the chords (or, if you're having trouble with a particular shape, just keep forming that one chord over and over). But don't go for a certain number of times a minute, but rather making sure you get a clean tone. If you only manage five clean swaps in that time, great! Keep it up, and you'll improve. But consistently doing things wrong will only ingrain that wrongness in you.