-
C chord change Frustration
I’m just finding it very difficult to go from a G chord to a C chord to a D chord back to the C chord. I know what my fingers are supposed to do but my index finger and finding the chords quickly between strums is very difficult for me. I find that I mute the strings between strums instead of a smooth transition between the G and the C and the D chord. Any suggestions on how to get this progression down smoothly?
-
10 Replies
-
There is only one thing that worked for me to smooths out transitions: slow way way down and think flow. When I get down to 30 to 60 bpm (beats per minute) I move in this flourished, over exaggerated way but in slow motion. Dunno why but it worked. Once relaxed and precisely accurate, start boosting the speed on a metronome. I was always surprised how fast I could get up to speed once I slowed down and snuck up on it. Hard to chase but easy to sneak up on. The other thing is to play smaller chords. depending on how you are strumming you can play the 3strings bass side, low half, of the chords or the treble high side of the chords high side 3 strings. The chords become one finger chords except for the D, gotta use all the fingers for D.
-
Can you form the chords easily from when you take your hand completely off the fretboard ? ( Tony starts his hand on his knee ) Almost impossible to do transitions if you can’t form the chord quickly “from scratch”.
One exercise I’ve seen is to form the chord, then keep your hand on the neck and “bounce “your fingers off and on the chord shape. Do it for each of the 3 chords, making sure your fingers go back to the right strings each time. Then slowly move on to transitions. It takes time to get them smooth…often months. Go slow…repetition is the key.
-
Thank you for input, I will have to try that exercise. I’m getting a little better, I just need to be more consistent with my practice, sometimes my back hurts bad.
-
Sit up straight and don’t try to see the whole fretboard…that’s what the dots are for ! LOL
Also, try to find a very small box or block of wood to put under your right foot ( if you play right handed. It tucks your guitar body in nice and tight and keeps it from moving around, especially when you have tricky fretting going on ( like anything with a barre ).
-
-
-
Jeff nailed it……. slow down, then work back up.
Two other things you may try:
Concentrate on “landing” the initial finger first— then having the others “follow”. (I know this all happens in the blink of an eye, but there’s an “anchor finger-location” for every chord). In the case of a “C” chord, my anchor of course is the B string/2nd fret. It lands there “first”… the others will follow.
Close your eyes as you practice— this makes your brain “see” the chords; you will memorize them faster.
-
Thanks, but I think you meant to say the first fret on the b string with your index finger for the chord. But I understand what ur saying.
-
MrKimm— Yup— thanks….. I’m as sharp as a marble some days!
-
-
-
Coach is right. If you develop what I call “Guide” finger as the first finger you fret in chord changes ,after a few G to C to D and back to C will become easier.
Almost all chord changes are done in pairs, ie, learn G to C backwards and forwards, then move on C to D, Then D to C and finally C back to G. Don’t forget C to F, then F to C.
-
When I started playing I imagined it would take 6-12 months to “master” chord changes. About 6 months in I realized this was going to be a multi-year pursuit. I’m 2 years into my guitar journey (about 15 months of it in the TAC program) and my transitions are much quicker than they were, but there’s still a good ways to go. I think I’m past the midway point, it’s hard to know because clearly it’s an unknown curve and not a line. There’s the 10,000 hour rule on mastering any skill, which also purports that 1000 hours gets you 7/10ths the way there (Competent (Proficient, not expert))
If that holds for basic chord changes then I’m 2 years into the 5.47 year journey (based on 30 minutes daily). Whatever the case may be, most importantly I’m enjoying my journey, I see growth all the time and I’m just glad to be here!
-
FWIW, there are probably very few guitarists that didn’t struggle, a lot, with the G<>C, C<>D, and G<>D transitions. Not to mention the F chord and all it’s transitions.
All the suggestions above are great. Use your metronome, always (I believe). Do the finger push-ups mentioned above. Start with, say, C shape. Form the chord, strum, lightly lift the fingers without removing them from string, apply pressure, strum. Sound good? No, adjust your fingers and repeat. I usually do 50-100 reps like this at 30 BPM until I feel like I am mostly getting it. Now, up the challenge, repeat above but slightly lift your fingers off the strings (just enough to lose touch, 1/4″) Good? Yes, repeat straightening fingers between each strum. Good? Yes, repeat taking hand off fret board. Good? Yes, Place hand on thigh and repeat, slap your thing between each strum. You can slowly increase your BPM’s until you fail miserably. Slow down a little and work your way back up in speed. Try it with your eyes closed for a great challenge. Repeat for other chords (not just these 3). You can always up the speed.
Feel good? Set metro on 30BPM and practice those 3 transitions individually. Increasing your speed slowly. Feel good? Try playing the progression that you are trying to get, ie GCDC. You can go 4 strums per chord DDDD switch; 2 strums per chord DD switch; 1 strum per chord D switch.
I have only been playing 2.5 years but to this day I still do this routine when I come across a chord or transition that is keeping from playing a song or TAC challenge. Sometimes the practice is 1/2 a measure at a time.
Long winded, sorry, but I think this might help build your muscle memory.
Strum away
Log in to reply.