ways to build up speed

[Tina]

I am trying to build my speed up at changing chords... Any suggestions??? I have mastered many chords but I seem to slow down when I switch between several chords in a song... Any help would be great!!!

[Guitar Noize]

I don't think there is an easy answer I'm afraid. The best way is to analyse which chord changes are a problem and practice them very slowly over and over again. This way you will train your fingers to get into the correct position everytime and this in turn will make the progressions feel more natural and help you gain more speed. It is the same with anything you are trying to learn, break it down into smaller chunks, practice them slowly and eventually start building speed.

[Jimmy Mac]

Tina, learning to play chords with , as you call speed, i would interpret as being able to change from one chord to the next in " time" or successfully completing a transition of rhythmic support for a given melody. I was taught to count and strum in a metric format with fingerings that establish the movement from chord to chord seemlessly. Such as moving
a C major to an A minor by lifting the third finger from the 5th string 3rd fret and placing it on the second fret 3rd string.
I know it sounds trivial but its common sense to be economic. Even awesome players like Danny Gatton had a system of chord execution that appeared complex until you saw how he set up each chord by positioning a finger that was pivotal to the chords that followed. - That make sense? Most important- play slowly and in time. Don't over do it. Learn correctly the first time , this way you won't be rehearsing bad habits.

[Garry Shaw]

Hey tina, mmmmmmm the only way i could teach myself to change chords progressively and quickly, was to do them over and over and over again. Repeating them is a good thing, Then just playing a few songs to take your mind off your practicing. Then play the chords again, and eventually it will come naturally. Your hand will go 'pang!', and your reaction will be "my hand moved by itself!!!"

lol, all it takes is a little practice, and tina, dont give up!, u'll be fine

[Brian Lowe]

I have nothing new to add, really, although when I practiced chords, I used to only concentrate on my left hand at first, just to get the muscle memory used to going where I wanted it to go. It's all about muscle memory, and like an athlete, it will take time. Make sure you stretch your hands and warm up before a long practice session...it helps, and will keep you from injuring yourself..I can't stress the importance of stretching enough...like finely trained athletes, make sure your muscles are ready to work, and just keep on plugging away!

[The Groove Mine]

You have to walk before you can run Tina. Much like Guitar Noize said, take it slow and even, the speed will come on it's own in time. You can't rush these things, but practicing often and playing precisely (slowly) will speed up the process.

[James Donahue]

When my teacher first started teacing me chords and playing in between them, he would make me do it with simple time phrases. Let me give you an example: Find one chord that you are having trouble with and put your fingers down to form the chord, play it and the count in a simple 4/4 manner. Then when you feel as if you're ready, play 2 chords. Let me show you by example with the diagram below: Let's say you are having trouble with C
C C
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +, 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Then when you feel you can do two chords:
C D C D
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +, 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Follow this pattern with different chords that you are having trouble with and you will progress very quickly.

-Jim D

[Guitar Cat Got Groove]

Practice. Lots and lots. Here's some basic chord progressions that were recommended to me to start. I'm still working on making smooth transitions between chords...

C major - A major - E minor - G major
E minor - G major - D minor - A minor
D major - D minor - C major - G major
E major - G major - A minor - C major

Starting with the C major chord to the A minor chord.
- Lift ONLY your third finger from the 3rd fret, A string
- Place it on the 2nd fret, G string without moving any other fingers
- Now you are playing A minor

Now the A minor chord to the E minor chord.
- Lift your first finger from the 1st fret, B string
- Prepare to place it on the 2nd fret, A string
- At the same time, remove your 3rd finger from the 2nd fret, G string altogether
- Now implement the above instructions in one pivoting movement
- Now you are playing E minor chord

Anyway, you get the idea. It's not as hard as it sounds. Hope that helps give you some suggestions.

[Tina]

Thank you... These are exactly what I have been practicing..... I am glad to know that at least I am practicing the right things... So how long has it atken you to master this skill and at what speed does it fall apart for you????

[Norbert]

When I first started playing I thought changing chords quick enough to play a song in time was an unobtainable goal. But I hit it every day for a month, not even necessarily expecting that I would succeed, and one day, abruptly, I was able to just do it.

So like everyone says, keep at it and be patient. It will happen.

[Guitar Noize]

I think my experience was pretty similar to Riley, I don't remember the actual time it took but it suddenly started to click and I realised that all the hard work was paying off. Guitar is a continual learning process but once you start comfortably changing chords it is something you never forget, you might get a bit sloppy from time to time if you don't play for a while (speaking from experience of a 6 year gap) but you get it back in no time with a bit of practice.

[Norbert]

Right. You will often find your frustration is at its greatest right before you have a breakthrough.