When I learned my first open major chords, I realized some chords were easier to play than others. I could play G, A, D, C and E well enough, but what about F and B major? Should I just avoid them like so many of my fellow beginners were? We were stuck playing only the one or two songs that had the chords we could play. Eventually, becoming the limit of our guitar playing experience. You approach the teacher, with your concern and what do the tell you? "Just practice." Finding this response unacceptable you end up not moving forward and your guitar just stares at you. You pick it up to play those same one or two songs, once in a while. You don't share your skills with anyone because you really don't know much. Sound familiar? Enough gloom. You want to play the songs that have the harder chords, but how? Here is what I wish my teacher would have showed me. It's a practice exercise, so keep in mind, they don't always sound very musical. You'll want a pen and paper handy.
*Start with a chord you can play well. I'll use open E major. Play the E then switch to open A quickly. Repeat. E-A, E-A, E-A. If you feel you have mastered switching between the two cleanly and easily move on. If not, write down E-A to note you'll want to work on that switch more, later.
*Next do the E to B switch same as above. Do you have it down? No? Write it down. Hopefully, you won't be listing all of them.
*Next go through the entire process with each switch E-C, E-D, E-F, E-G. You now have covered switching from E to A, B, C, D, (skip E), F, and G.
See the pattern?
*Time to change the starting chord. Let's say F. Follow the same pattern. F-A, F-B, F-C, F-D, F-E, (skip F-F), F-G.
*Continue to list the chord switches that give you trouble. You may start to figure, just one or two chords are your "troublemakers".
*In the end you'll have covered 7 different starting chords switching to the 6 others.
*Here are some options and benefits: You may find the need to strum each chord two or three times. You may decide you don't need to do each switch 4 times, because you have it down. You may notice this helps you memorize the chords both visually and physically. Your ear starts to recognize the chords. It's repetitive learning.
*Last step: Tomorrow or later on, you want attack those troublemakers.
What I found by doing this was the B and F were giving me the hardest times, whether they were the starting chord or the switch to chord. So I simply worked the exercise pattern on those. A week later, with half hour a day practices, I was way better at those chords. They don't frustrate me anymore. I was able to move on to minors, sevenths, bar chords and more.
I now had a surefire and faster way to learn how to play them. You can too! You'll end up being able to play more songs all the way through. To see some videos on practicing go to http://www.guitar-for-real.com/practice-videos.html
Brian Sullivan- I get asked these questions often. I've created a site for these, and other, hard to find answers. The answers some store owners and teachers won't tell you. To do more research on buying or playing guitar visit http://www.guitar-for-real.com and take advantage of 38yrs. of guitar experiences.
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