Tony’s Acoustic Challenge – The New Way to Learn Guitar › Family Forums › Community Support › Newby › Reply To: Newby
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Hi @LisaH , and I will include @Akabbbb in this comment.
The best way to learn to transition to a new chord is slowly. No, I’m not kidding, but let me explain.
So, start by making a chord that you will play just before the chord you are learning. Turns out, to make a Bm moving from a D is different than making a Bm moving from an A7.
Now, move slowly to the chord you are trying to learn. Do not try to do this in any kind of rhythm, but do try to do it as smoothly as you can. Really pay attention to the position of your arm, wrist and fingers and how they have to change to make the next chord. Then practice over and over again moving slowly and smoothly to the new chord trying to get all the necessary changes in fingers, arm and wrist to happen in one motion.
Do this for just a few minutes or you will over work your muscles and risk straining your hands. But, do this for a few minutes everyday for a few weeks. After several days, you should notice some improvement. After a couple of weeks, you should be able to play this chord cleanly at a slow rhythm. Now, I must say again, do this slowly and smoothly and cleanly. The most important thing is to make the motion from one chord to the other “perfect”, not fast. Because if you will do that, then you will get the results. Resist the urge to “try out” your skill for at least a week. You will be practicing doing the wrong motion. That’s why new chords seem to take so long, because we keep practicing sloppy motions.
I know, sometimes it’s just too much to ask. But the more years that pass and I’m still struggling with some of the same issues the more I’m willing to GO SLOW and STOP practicing bad movement.
MG 😀