How do you switch between chords on a guitar?

Question

I'm learning guitar and the hardest part for me is switching chords. I have to move my fingers one by one onto the correct strings and frets. I know that eventually, I should be able to just put my fingers exactly where they need to go all at once. When I practice playing chords, should I move my fingers one by one onto the correct position (which really slows down the rythm) or should I just try to move them all at once even though I miss the strings a lot now?

Thanks for the good suggestions guys. I just wanna make sure I am practicing the right way. Hate to find out I taught myself a bad habit.

Answer 1

i started guitar a while back. In the beginning i had the same problem. There is no easy way out of it. It just takes practice and more practice. What i did was play 2 different chords i had trouble linking over and over again. Soon, i got better. Yes, move them all at once. Trust me after practicing a little while, it was much easier. You can start slow to make sure you get the right position in the beginning and slowly increase your speed. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

It's all about practice. I think everyone who trys to learn to play the guitar has this problem. Don't feel bad. Slow down the tempo enough that you can move all your fingers at once. Also learn which chords are the easiest to switch between like G and C or C and Am and practice G1234C1234G1234C1234, etc. Before you realize it, you'll have it right and you'll never want to put the guitar down again.

Answer 3

A lot of it is muscle memorization. The good thing is, though, that it's like riding a bike. You never really forget ALL of it. You can't really learn this sort of thing on Yahoo Answers. I'm 13 years old, I've been trying to play for a year, and at most? I know, like... 10 chords, dammit. The greatest thing is, though, you can play a LOT of songs with 3 or 4 chords. Move them all at once, that's the best advice-- correct the missed strings as quickly as possible, try to brand it into your brain-- "NO, THE INDEX FINGER GOES HERE, YOU DAMN HAND!!!"

I'm actually pretty good with this stuff-- but for people like you who seem to have trouble making the fingers learn where to go? Stop with the chords-- move on to tablatures. Or, I forget the spelling. Tabs for short. You can find instructions on how to online.

Here's a hint, if you want to stick with chords-- Notice something significant about your hand position with every chord. Like, in G7 (err, that's it, right?) I feel like I'm kinda flicking someone off, you know? Cause the middle finger's on the highest string. Little stuff like that can actually help a lot.

Answer 4

I taught myself by first learning the chords and their structure. Once you know the chords, you can move between them more easily. Focus first on the fingerings of the specific chords...you'll still make mistakes when you begin switching among chords, but if you internalize the places your fingers are supposed to go, it will be an easier transition than fumbling, trying to remember chord placement. Practice is definitely key. Eventually, it will simply become second nature.

Answer 5

Practice.

Get to the point where you're comfortable in forming the hand positions for the chords.

A good method is to slowly move from one chord position to another, eventually, your muscle memory will kick in and you won't even notice.

Answer 6

When I started guitar, this was really hard for me too. What helped me was just practicing changing chord positions without strumming. I did it over and over until I became confident in it, then I added in strumming.

Answer 7

after you have practiced doing them alot, you'll get them down quickly. i am a beginner guitarist too and i have a little trouble to. right now i can only do one chorded riffs which are really easy like smoke on the water...
-0--3--5--0--3--6--5--0--3--5--3

Answer 8

More practice will develope the speed you need to change chords effectively. It will come if you perservere. Don't give up.
Moving them all at once is the proper way.

Answer 9

Move them one by one, or as many as you can without making mistakes. You will find that the way you learn will lead into the way you play. You dont want to be sloppy when you play, so dont be sloppy when you learn. It will come, just be patient. Good luck!

Answer 10

Take Guitar lessons.