Transitioning from Chord to Chord

[The_KiD]

Any tips on Transitioning from chord to chord? I am very in early in to learning how to play (for real this time) and man, this is HARD..I am attempting to do some scales and my fingers (especially my pinky) have a mind of their own!

I know this will get easy with practice (which I am doing a lot) But do you have any tips I should keep in mind?

Hunmbly and Respectfully,

KiD

[Coyote]

Do it slow until it sounds perfect, then speed it up a little.

Repeat 'til ya bleed.

[Matt White]

Do it about a MIllion times...then repeat.....

It's like lifting weights....it takes time to see results....but you will.

[The_KiD]

Thanks.... Practice Practice Practice.. Here I come.. Fingers are a hurting today as I type..

KiD

[The_KiD]

Had a real breakthrough last night as my practice is starting to pay off. Things are getting easier and sounding better....

KiD

[Brett]

Yep only way to get better, practice, practice...and more practice.

[Nitro Express]

You just reminded me of what a mindfuck learning the guitar was. I'm suprised I just didn't quit.

There really is no hard set rules on fingering chords. It's like skiing moguls, you finger the chord so you can go into the next one easy.

I mostly just bar the chord with my index finger if I can as oppossed to just pressing down one note. This allows you to slide up and down the neck easier.

[jhale667]

Originally posted by Brett
Yep only way to get better, practice, practice...and more practice.

And when you're done, practice some more. Live it.

On a serious note, try not to exert any more finger pressure than necessary to fret the chord properly. Don't bear down like you're gripping a baseball bat or anything . That way your hand won't fatigue as fast and it better facilitates changes.

[ELVIS]

I dunno man...

SRV ripped the strings off his guitar...

[BrownSound1]

You can play hard, but be sure your hand is relaxed when doing it. Probably not something that can be achieved by the_Kid at this point in time though. Hell, I still get hand cramps from time to time, but I never warm up so there you go.

[jhale667]

Originally posted by ELVIS
I dunno man...

SRV ripped the strings off his guitar...

Not while he was learning, I'd bet.

[Don Corleone]

Originally posted by Matt White
Do it about a MIllion times...then repeat.....

It's like lifting weights....it takes time to see results....but you will.

That's it exactly, and get ready for some blisters on your finger tips.

[Nitro Express]

If you have the will to learn and the drive to learn, you will learn. Don't compare yourself to others because that will distract you. Music is a very personal learning experience and some people can play by ear, some need sheet music, some take longer to learn songs. Our minds are all different.

No learning technique or instructor will ever replace the will and drive to learn. If you don't enjoy it, it's a waste of time. Sure you have to pay your dues and you will get frustrated but if it isn't any fun, you are lost.

It's like trying to make a marriage work where the person you are married to doesn't make you horny and see stars. There's just not enough passion there to get through the necessary and realistic rough spots.