Learning chords from the most fundamental ones to advanced shapes can be challenging. These are some tips that can help players of any level practice chords more effectively.
1) Always play on the tips of your fingers.
By playing on the tips of your fingers you it will be easier to sneak you fingers in between two strings when you need to fret a note in the middle. Of course this does not apply to situations when you need to bar several notes but otherwise consider it a rule to stick to at all times.
2) Always play near the frets.
By playing near the frets you will eliminate the chances of getting that “fret buzz” sound caused by extra string between the point where your finger meets the fretboard and the fret. By playing near the frets you won’t need to press as hard either because the pressure point will actually be touching the edge of the fret.
3) Pick each note individually when practicing.
By working on each note individually you will expose errors such as buzzing notes that you may not otherwise hear if you are just strumming the whole chord. Make sure each note rings clearly. You can even repeatedly pick a buzzing note and adjust you fretting fingers accordingly until it sounds clear. This is a trial and error of sorts used to refine technique. After you are sure that every note is clear go ahead and strum the chord and it will sound perfect.
4) Don’t hack away at the strings or pick too hard when practicing chords.
If you are not fretting notes properly, no amount of picking them harder is going to make them more audible. All you will end up with is an abrasive sound, with more buzzes sounding louder.
5) Work with your weaker, or less dominant, fingers first.
By getting your weaker fingers in place first you achieve two things. First, you will be able to isolate the notes that may be problematic before they cause problems. Second, it is always easier to stretch from the less dominant fingers towards the dominant ones so stretching will be easier.
6) With bar chords, put the bar in place last.
This goes along with tip #5. Get all of the notes where you need to play on the tips of the frets in place and then stretch the bar into place later. Check out my bar chord tips video to get a closer look at how to do it.
7) When you can, use two fingers as if they were one unit.
This takes place in chord shapes like power chords where the pinky and 3rd fingers are on the same frets, just on different strings. By using the fingers together you only need to think about one movement, as opposed to two. This works with any change where fingers move in a parallel motion too, for example a G7 to a C change, where the 2nd and 3rd fingers are maintaining the same proximity and shape but moving to a different set of strings.
8) Analyze finger movement to make chord changes easier to execute.
Finger movement can be broken down to the following possibilities: parallel motion, opposite motion, common fingers and guide fingers. By analyzing the types of motion you will need to use before you try to do the chord switch it will help you visualize your finger movements better.
Hope this helps you create and change chords better!
Sage Advice. Practicing it everyday helps lock in good habits. It’s too easy to get sloppy because other hand and finger movements are more comfortable. We need to focus on all the good habits, posture, etc to produce the best sound from our guitars and it’s not always easy.
One would think that playing guitars is easy from watching the performers on TV: However, considering the hours of practice, guitar and equipment maintenance, maintaining one’s health to stand and play for long periods of time and time spent acquiring Music Theory from all sources…It’s not all fun. Playing for a hobby and self-entertainment is carefree and fun, and then when we chose to entertain others it becomes more serious. Imagination the extra stress of musicians counting on their performances for their income.
Practicing everything correctly from day one has certainly got to help one’s progress. Wish someone would’a told me that a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Computers and all the current instructional sources and equipment were not readily available in 1958 in El Paso, TX and a 16 year old never thought to look for a guitar teacher.
Great points Len! Thanks for the comment! It is so easy to forget that it’s only until VERY recently that we are able to enjoy the widespread ease, accessibility of information and general low cost instruction that the internet has given us.
Great instructions! Even though I have been playing for decades, it is ALWAYS good to refresh…and Needful. I THANK YOU for taking of your time and self to bring these lessons. You Are Appreciated!
You are welcome James! Glad it helped and it’s our pleasure!
All great advice, wish you added the link on the chord switching lesson, though. 3 out of 4 of those finger movement terms are greek to me. I have a file for all of your weekly lessons, and licks and its not there. It’s one of those lessons I would really dedicate myself to. So, I must’ve missed it somehow.
Would love to get the link if that’s not asking too much.
Good advice brother….rock on…salute:))
Thanks! Glad it helped
Mike D
Thanks for your helph
Your welcome George!