Tips on Changing Guitar Chords Fluently

Wouldn’t life be grand if you could play every single song ever known simply by placing your hand on the guitar?

Sadly, music doesn’t work that way, and eventually, you will need to learn to change chords. Luckily we can help give you some pointers that will make changing chords with fluency a bit easier when it comes time for you to learn guitar songs.

First off, obey the rules of pressure!

The rules of pressure are simple; when changing chords, keep even pressure on your digits. This means that when you change from a G Major chord, which is one of the farther spaced chords for fingering, to a C Major chord, you need to keep even pressure on each finger. The reason for this is so that your fingers can automatically work themselves into the strings.

When you change chords, be sure to keep your fingers close to the strings. This means don’t stretch your hands and crack your knuckles in between chords, as you will find in quite difficult to regain your bearings.

Keep your fingers slightly above the strings and leave only just enough room to move your finger without keeping your notes fretted. This allows you to keep pressure on your fingers while moving them, which will in turn make the new chord shape easier to adjust to.

Keep your hands steady.

I have seen many guitarists hands practically convulse when adjusting to a new chord shape. Relax! Chords are your friends, and you have no need to rush chord changes at first, so take your time and let your fingers find their natural motions. Don’t allow your hand to tense, just keep that even pressure of your fingers hovering lightly above the strings and when time comes press down.

Don’t white knuckle your chords!

White knuckling is a form of fretting in which you fret so hard that your knuckles actually turn white. Not only is this extremely unhealthy for your digits, but it puts a monumental amount of strain on your wrist. This can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or even worse. When you find the chord shape, ease your finger into it. Treat your chords shapes like you would a pair of shoes; gently work your way into them. Don’t force because you will soon find that chord changes are made much more difficult through excess strength.

Finally, practice. Practice is the key to success in every guitar technique. The only way you will truly be able to achieve perfect chord changes each and every time is through practice. The best way to practice is to start off small, switching between simple chord shapes, allowing your fingers to get the feel for the amount of pressure needed. Once you feel comfortable, then you can worry about tackling those mammoth chord changes such as a G Major to a G sharp major seventh.

Don’t rush, because you don’t want to learn bad habits. Let your hands find their groove, let your digits feel out the scenery, and then allow yourself to sit back, relax, and change your chords fluently. With these beginner guitar tips in mind, check out the videos below for a presentation on good chord changing practices.

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