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[Akabbbb]

Hi Lisa,

Struggling with the transition to the c chord is perfectly normal. Yesterday, during the daily challenge, I noticed for the first time my fingers all moved together during the transitions and I could play the exercises at 1.25x speed. This is after 6 months of continuous working on my transitions. It felt very rewarding!!!!!

I find it helpful to strum a pattern and never stop, even if I initially mess the chord up, fix it while staying in time and prepare for the next cord. Most importantly remember this is fun!!!! Do not get stressed over how certain skills will take longer to learn! There are always new challenges along this journey, for me after the c chord came the challenge of nailing the f chord. Now I am stuck wondering if I will ever be able to transition smoothly from open chords to barre chords…….

Welcome and remember to celebrate all off your small wins daily.

[LisaH]

Thanks. I needed to hear that.

[N-lightMike]

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 😀

[LisaH]

Slowly is the only way I can go right now. I have a difficult time just doing the C chord without transitioning. It seems my middle finger and the D chord are not friends. I’ll keep at it and hope that it will come in time.

[N-lightMike]

Progress comes slowly, @LisaH , but it also comes steadily. You will improve.

Now, one thing that might help is to do finger independence exercises. Lay your hand on a flat surface palm down with you fingers splayed. Then try lifting the index finger only. Then the middle, then the ring, and finally the pinky. You will find this surprisingly difficult and it will cause your hand to literally ache in a very short period of time. Therefore, don’t do much at first. Be careful and make sure you use the stretching exercises that Tony teaches in the Stretching Course and you will be able to do this everyday at least once. You will be surprised how quickly this will build finger independence and strength which will contribute to your being able to make chords.

I hope this helps Lisa.

MG 😀

[the-old-coach]

Lisa — I agree with Mike all the way on this.

Months ago I bought a book titled “First, Learn to Practice”, by Tom Heany.

It leans toward focusing on the MOVEMENT BETWEEN CHORDS as the most important thing.

Learning the finger positions on all the individual chords is important, yes, but a chord just sitting there alone isn’t worth much. Playing one single chord over and over isn’t gonna be much of a song……

Can’t speak for anyone else, but I try to concentrate on efficient and accurate movement BETWEEN them.

And like Mike says– try to learn those slowly, smoothly, and correctly!

Take it from me!- it is hard to un-learn bad patterns and correct them. Do it right the first time.

Keep goin’, keep it fun, do the stretches, and don’t play long enough to hurt your hands.

Just my two bits.

Mark