I have just spent four hours trying to switch from "a" to "d" and I cant stop that little pause, I had a period where it started to come right then drifted towards the end of the session, should I continue with this particular switch until its right, any advise as to technique welcome.

Regards Richard

Just keep doing it, trying to make it feel as natural as possible. Not much else can be done. There arent really any quick ways to it in Guitar. Just keep going and going. If you love it enough you'll soon start to fly.

Pretty much what Danny said. You just have to keep doing it. One tip though.. Practice in 10 minute intervals then take a break. You don't need to beat yourself up over it. If it isn't working out, get up and leave the guitar. Even if it's for 5 minutes. You'll feel better and progress when you come back.

Hi Rich.

My 2cents. Let it take as long as it takes. But be sure the chords are clean. Speed will come later, but if you develop sloppy habits, it will be harder to correct later. Your hand will also need to develop the dexterity and muscle strength and callouses to form on your fingertips. Let it come bro...and keep going!! That you are here and asking for tips is a good sign you really want this...and that's all that's necessary imo. :thumb:

Pretty much what stratcat said...don't beat yourself up over it and do little and often. You're trying to develop 'muscle memory' where your hands will be able to form the shapes without thinking about it...at the moment you have four blind guys (your fingers!) all darting about. When you look at the chord shape try and find something you can relate to; for example I tell my students that D is the 'Micky Mouse' chord because it looks like a small Disney symbol when you see the dots on the neck where your fingers go. Also try and start the chord with your first finger (index) as you have more co-ordination in the and the thumb than the others. TRY and introduce your little finger at the earliest opportunity as it is quite weak and you will need to beef it up to get it feeling like the rest. Finally, try and get an easy song played as it feels more of an achievement than just playing the chord. For example Snow Patrol's 'Chasing Cars' is A, E, D, A played over and over again! The sense of achievement when you nail something down (even if you don't like Snow Patrol) will surge you on.

Good luck. :thumb:

.... I tell my students that D is the 'Micky Mouse' chord because it looks like a small Disney symbol when you see the dots on the neck where your fingers go......

do ya tell them Micky Mouse minor is the saddest of all keys too? :D




Richard all the above is good advice, there's no tricks to it - practice, practice and your fingers will make the transitions smoother and smoother as the amount of pressure needed to fret a chord will seemingly become less and less ;)

well from the question you appear to be new to guitars ...
so kus keep trying man .... it gets a lot better after you've learnt your chords and you're comfortable playing them
take it slow ... patience is the virtue ...

try to mix it up and try new inversions/voicings etc.....

Peace

i think sticking with these two chords for now is great, because the d chord is harder to form with the tucked second finger. just keep doing this as clean and in time as possible until the switch feels comfortable, then learn some songs with that switch (like patience, by guns n roses). just keep at it bro, speed will definitely come with time. we are all learning, all the time, so definitely stick with it. it's a great medium to express yourself through.

Relax. Loosen up.

How do I know your stiff? All beginners are.

Had just a half hour session tonight, thanks for all the sound advice, I agree with the idea of leavng the Guitar for 10 minutes and then going back to it, you can get seriously cramped with trying too hard, A and D are fixed in memory, as is C and G7 it has surprised me how the brain can memorise quite technical finger positions, hower to create the position in mid air and then fret it onto the correct strings I guess is quite some time away.

Am i right in the train of thought, that the fret fingers where possible need to absolutely straight down on the strings just behind the fingernail, so as not to snag an open string?

Richard

Am i right in the train of thought, that the fret fingers where possible need to absolutely straight down on the strings just behind the fingernail, so as not to snag an open string?

Richard

I wouldn't say "right" behind the finger nail. but pretty much. Definately not on the flat of your finger (obviously). You will soon start to develop callouses on the tips of your fingers. Essentially just the skin toughening up as you adapt to putting repeated amounts of pressure on it. It won't point up as such but it will pertrude somewhat slightly and you'll naturally be using those bits of your fingers without thinking about it. Just takes time im afraid.

Im a firm believer in doing what feels natural. But thats kinda only applies after you are comfortable with the guitar. So maybe in a year or so... but try and apply it to certain stuff now and if you're worried that it might be wrong just let us know on here and someone will set you at ease.