3 Exercises To Fix Your Chord-Switching Problems Fast!

Today's question is from Pedro he says, "I know many chord shapes but when I try to play along to a song, I can't switch through them fast enough."
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In the lesson, I mention a few things:
First, if you'd like to ask a question, let me know in the comments below or email me directly: [e-mail]
If you need more help with the fundamentals, I have a few resources you can check out:
FREE MINI-COURSE: goodguitarist.com/beginner-ch...
PREMIUM BEGINNER'S COURSE (master the basics!): goodguitarist.com/beginner-gu...
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To help him (and everyone else struggling to get past this "roadblock") I have three exercises that I use with my students. These exercises will build up two important skills:
The first is memorizing your chord shapes. Everyone THINKS they have them memorized but I'm going to show you a little test that might have you thinking again! You might be able to make the shape but have you really memorized it?! That's what we'll find out! (and I have an exercise that will FIX this instantly!)
The next skill is being able to switch between any two particular chords. Usually people think you just have to be able to switch from any chord to any other chord right away, but it's actually a bit more of a methodical, slower process. You need to LEARN to switch from E to A from G to A from D to A...
So if you have an issue with chord switching, hopefully this'll fix you right up!
'Til next time!
-James
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goodguitarist.com/3-exercises...
/ goodguitarist
/ goodguitarist

[@Good_Guitarist]

If you're looking for more help with guitar, I have a whole playlist of all the basics, free on KZbin: kzbin.info/aero/PLCokMw1vYIAiOXKt0iWIYhmlX_E8X_aCx

[@tyenevins6208]

I'm trying to switch between an altered version of d major 7 straight to F# minor 9 to play a chon song called sleepy tea and it's a pain so far lol

[@OGRagtoproy]

This works!!!! 200 slaps later I can finally do A minor and C chords without looking!!! 😊😊

[@UCS-JoachimBharathi]

And got your laps red

[@sentinel4636]

Great Nigga.

[@cloudywood4197]

@@sentinel4636 bro what?

[@sentinel4636]

@@cloudywood4197 sis what ?

[@cloudywood4197]

@@sentinel4636 you know what-nevermind lmao

[@dennizsvemark8415]

I want to switch between four chords in less than 1.5 seconds

[@michaelcraig9449]

0 to 60 in 1.5!

[@TheNinnyfee]

Try it with a crazily paced metronome or increase the speed until it is crazily paced.

[@farfalles2665]

@@TheNinnyfee metronome ?

[@electoplater]

no problem make a chord and move it up the fret board you will make abcdefg

[@brawlingtrophyhunter]

@@farfalles2665 yh. You can download from playstore

[@onimisilovesonmusic4548]

Some teachers don't teach exercises and that makes it difficult to learn . They expect u to play just by watching them play... these exercises u have shown are great and i believe it will help every beginner change chords faster....

[@flyinlow1]

The chord + slap + chord method was truly amazing. Thank you! Such a simple little exercise but it works wonders! Great stuff as always!

[@stabysfavorites2080]

Yup! And without the strum, I can practice in silence at night.

[@MiniMight]

I can switch chords fast to go along with a song but there's like, gaps of silence between them

[@richardparis8927]

Same here

[@NIKOLAJ0KIC]

u can add fillers between them, like a simple U-D, OR an U-chuck

[@muskan2094]

Same

[@muskan2094]

Guys i have watched all videos for learning it doesn't help me at all and now i ma thinking of learning it from a guitarist or can someone suggest me something plz

[@muskan2094]

@Santosh mahapatra thanks 😊

[@har3drewxkait749]

8:35 damn.. Thats me

[@DabKinggyt]

Har3drewX Kait me too

[@UCS-JoachimBharathi]

And here i am.. 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@yudamarbun6682]

Thats also me lmao

[@bhartichilkoti1350]

Mee too fr😂

[@mercyh193]

Same here. And I have my first beginners recital Sunday 🤦🏾‍♀️!

[@leelorenz.3889]

What I wanted: Fast Chord-Switch What I got: A good Exercise and a red Lap

[@MG-er3co]

hahahaha

[@UCS-JoachimBharathi]

Lol 😂

[@beautifulkajol371]

Omg you are hilarious 😂😂

[@MostSimple]

🤣🤘

[@visakhh92]

Slapping harder doesn't make chord switch faster.... :D

[@maryperry3182]

James, Not the first time I have said this but it bears repeating. You have a terrific style of teaching: patient, clear and encouraging. Thank you so much.

[@genes6703]

My 5 year old son came in the guitar room and started slapping my lap also. “daddy, what are you doing?" He said and joined in the slapping. lol. Thanks for giving me a great moment with my son in addition to leaning guitar.

[@MostSimple]

That’s sweet 🙂

[@nuk3fishydude902]

"daddy, what are you doing?"( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) looks suspicious lmao

[@go2damoonbadon777]

@@nuk3fishydude902 ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)lmao🤣🤣🤣

[@olukiyesimi]

aww so wholesome 🥺

[@dd7aa]

Lol great comment

[@aunch3]

Thank you. Of all the chord exercise videos on KZbin, this one has helped the most. It’s really made a difference

[@davidwong656]

Dude, I wish I could express how helpful this was. So clear and concise and you have a nice, calming voice.

[@rutruterturfuly]

I've watched a lot of videos on this topic but yours is outstanding! Thank you very much!

[@robjossick7380]

Just started leaning to play about a month ago and this so far was hands down the the most helpful video ive seen so far, thank you good sir 😁🎸 🎶

[@tammieschiller397]

your voice is so soothing and i love these tips! thank you

[@ralphdimunyo860]

I strummed my lap wtf

[@UCS-JoachimBharathi]

😂 Lol and slap the guitar.. And it's gonna be angry on you

[@vigneshsankarjaisankar1139]

😂😂

[@terryarnold7423]

Ralph Dimunyo ok that’s funny

[@montserratefete]

(*≧▽≦)

[@shoelacesuwu1590]

mugi

[@melviniejackson8116]

This was great! Thank you providing this video! Learning the guitar has been a challenge, but this video has helped to make things a bit easier.

[@newrevue]

great lesson.....love the simplicity and immediate results

[@thommys791]

Amazing tutorial, thank you so much for this, it really helped me out a lot, keep it up

[@maherbailey12]

thank you!! your videos are simply great. instructive, and clear and awesome. a great help on my guitat journey

[@drjayabharathithangaraj6903]

Well explained, thanks for the video it helps, Patience and practice are the key 🤝

[@jamescorben5738]

Wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this 🙏

[@submoa1941]

Hey James, I just wanted to give you a big THANK YOU for the "lap slap" technique. I'm 65 years old and have been learning guitar from your You Tube channel for about 18 months and just now found this video. I'm at the point where I know many chord shapes and can finger them without looking at a diagram but my switches were painfully slow and I just wasn't getting any faster at them. I've been doing these exercises for about 2 weeks and the results are dramatic. Don't get me wrong , I'm still slow but I definitely see much faster switches. Thanks again!!

[@29nish]

One of the best explanation for chord switch thanks.

[@cocoamaster9200]

Playing for almost a year and still my chord switching wasn't that fluid so the last strum before the chord change ends up getting sound muted and it's fucking irritating that it's almost a year and I can't execute that properly😡. Its frustrating.

[@reedanderson]

Really good lesson. Very helpful advice. Thanks.

[@rezarezaei3581]

Those exercises R absolutely perfect.. Tnx 4 your help man ❤️

[@natallyseni3233]

Very good tips! Thank you very much for the video.

[@yashbagda9280]

This is great man!! You are doing great work !

[@ThatsValForYa]

im not a beginner but ive been struggling with changing from barre chord to barre chord and this has helped so muchh, thank you!!

[@mikerochfort3513]

Thanks very much for this superbly simple exercise. I’m a total beginner and can handle this!

[@melaniebuford]

One of the best guitar teachers of all time. Will be doing these exercises to my guitar warm-up everyday 🎸🎶

[@Good_Guitarist]

Rock on!

[@itz4u]

Good Guitarist. This was an amazing video. I’ve been struggling between G to D or C. I’m gonna try this tech out and see how it works and let you know. Thanks

[@huntsail3727]

Loved this, will give it a try.

[@jayashreelaxmekuppuswami8600]

Thank you...it's not like I don't practise...but I need that organized clarity while practicing...without it...it feels a little overwhelming and tiring.... This suggestion video helped me put my practice sessions in a more productive time....😊👍👍

[@DeBlauweOlifant]

boy, you're awsome. Very clearly explained but at a good pace. Thank you !

[@mr.mallick9492]

Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️ It is very very helpful ❤️❤️❤️

[@maryannmartin4067]

Thank you. This is so helpful!

[@garrobond0017]

Many thanks, wish I come across this earlier, very helpful video.

[@gustavosuenaga]

Dude, I love the lap slap technique hahaha Thanks for the tips!

[@kkhh2840]

There is no secret. Just practice practice practice . Change between the chords for 100 time .

[@TheNinnyfee]

There's a lot of mental block involved, especially for strongly right-handed people.

[@mangofromurneighbor]

yeah i always keep practicing everyday and i noticed that i can already switch a chord easily you're right. there is no secret to be good.😊 btw i started 10 months ago so im really proud of it hehe

[@hoangduong4981]

i spent months and months trying to switch between F barred chords and still not able to switch smoothly

[@cocoamaster9200]

@@hoangduong4981 Practice from C to F or any chords to F very slowy. You need to position each finger before you press the string do it slowly and do it right because you need to establish that core memory.

[@sharim605]

@@hoangduong4981 my friend took 1 years to master the barre chords lol

[@vincentlok8894]

I will definitely do this tonight!

[@shubham2466]

Very helpful, really gonna do this

[@phoenixrising1576]

Great! Your a very very Good teacher!

[@DeliciaTrini]

Excellent video!

[@faustorossi5524]

I like this video it makes sense. Reading the comments below seems not very working but I think the method is good, it's just up to us, how seriously we do it.

[@mercyh193]

Great advice and an awesome tutorial! I loved the counting between switches. Helps with spacing too. I'm a beginner and have my 1st recital Sunday but I'm still pausing like you exemplified towards the end of your video. Especially going from E- minor to D- Major then to C- Minor. So I'm gonna use some of your techniques to help me.

[@johnnybx3254]

Great information!! For us beginners! Thanks

[@Good_Guitarist]

Hello John, these are things I wish I knew when I was starting! :)

[@Paul-wo7qs]

Thank you for the advice and sharing it!

[@Good_Guitarist]

My pleasure!

[@joshharrington861]

This really helped me, thanks

[@trentcropper3841]

Your an anazing teacher brother Thanks!

[@Joshua_Cartus]

I was trying to find this. Great one.

[@just-your-local-plant-mom8405]

you have no idea how much this just helped me!!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@Good_Guitarist]

Glad I could help!

[@Ryan-jz5kr]

Thanks...a very helpful routine

[@supernet7615]

Thank you so much

[@zarabee2418]

Thank you so much for this 💗 💖

[@MrSmile255]

I like the way you teach much respect to you 🙏

[@divakardivakar3692]

Thanks bro ,very helpful to learn my new guitar

[@mohitsomani5154]

Thank you... I tried it and it has been helping a lot

[@MostSimple]

Sameee

[@MultiShriek]

A very creative idea with the lap distraction as a memory trainer. I will give it a go. C to F or G is always messy though.

[@johntrentis_my_hero6667]

I agree. Been working on F to G today. That’s a pain.

[@riderwomansahana]

Loved ths tutorial. . Much needed thank u so much

[@peregrinegrace8570]

Your the best , thankyou. Im going to make it .

[@giovanimoreno8402]

Phenomenal lesson!

[@priyankamodak9510]

Great! Thank you!!

[@wasted2588]

Was working on chord switching and the counting method is INCREDIBLE!! Got so much better just within an hour of continuous use!

[@Good_Guitarist]

Glad it helped! That's exactly what I love to hear!

[@Chiareality]

Very helpful. Thanks. .

[@IceFox1871]

This helped a lot thanks!

[@sidmaguluri9028]

Really informative. Liked it

[@mriganka1000]

Amazingly demonstrated 👌👌👌

[@vkook1657]

I started playing guitar a month ago, i was struggling with chord switch and this was the most helpful video ever. After watching this i was able to switch between g major and c major. Thank u soo much

[@noc117]

This was such a good help.

[@drisschima2181]

Memorize Knowing the cord shape Are really great tips🎉

[@sandobond4583]

Good lesson. Thank you

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Brilliantly simple.

[@boxer71c55]

Very original lesson. 👍 Great vid.

[@alpacaseoks]

I just started learning guitar yesterday, and im really struglling with changing from G to C. Hopefully this'll help:)

[@reborninchrist8074]

Finally a guy showed what i really wanted and needed!! Thank you 😊 ♥

[@mairafauziah634]

thank you, i'll try this

[@nirmalamarak9386]

Thank you for your valuable advice

[@Good_Guitarist]

You're most welcome

[@theArtofKessey]

Thank you man.

[@ty_franklin]

super helpful! thank u

[@salvatoreamelio4453]

Best teacher on you tube thank you James

[@satishvalavi4783]

Excellent !

[@GarryAReed]

Excellent ! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@maniksonowal5791]

Thank you Sir. Superb

[@thetruthful9805]

Great lesson! Thank you from austin texas

[@jumanaishtewi5112]

I don’t know if you will see my comment, i even tried to find you on instagram only to say a really thank you! It was very helpful and good way to switch chords while playing!!! It was my problem and now it solved because of you!!

[@Good_Guitarist]

You're welcome!

[@azizali2114]

This was very helpful!

[@vigneshsankarjaisankar1139]

Thanks a lot💙

[@SheenaManalo]

Thank you ❤️

[@hemantkhurana9153]

thank you sir it helped me a lot

[@vickiwalker5948]

Thank you for the tutorial Good Guitarist

[@MostSimple]

Agreed! ‘‘Twas great 👍

[@promitdeysarkerarjan8809]

Thanks sir!

[@shashilakmal7015]

Thank you❤

[@Good_Guitarist]

You're welcome 😊

[@davidpotter7785]

Thanks!!!

[@Good_Guitarist]

You bet!

[@JoeMama-ll7zr]

great video thanks for sharing

[@laurenlauren1136]

Thanks, Sir

[@vmaxzile]

Thank you very much

[@DravenGabriel59]

great video man... do you have any tips or exercises for changing between melodic licks and chords? I'm playing some Hendrix stuff and he does that all the time.

[@mozinmalik]

2 days into this exercise and my Lap just ran away from me. My fingers are the next.