Learn to Change Chords Faster in 5 Steps!

[@beatrixguitar]

Please note that I couldn't make these videos without my supporters on Patreon. Consider joining them and support the channel! www.patreon.com/beatrixguitar

[@darkertime225]

How did you make your videos at the start of your KZbin channel?

[@АлександрЛопырев-г5п]

When I was learning to play accompaniment for singing with a guitar I find it extremely useful to change chords in darkness. No matter the mistakes for the first attempts. The interesting thing is that without seeing your hands, your feelings in fingers become much more precise. You just need to believe them. I learned to change basic chords rather fast after exploring this inobvious method.

[@castleisland0]

@@АлександрЛопырев-г5п Thats so cool! Will try it out

[@ChrisBrown-oo4bf]

The best thing about all this is getting a reminder on doing things correctly. It seems that the longer you play, the more you forget the simple things. Those are the base for all correct playing. Thank you so much for these reminders and hints!😀

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

My technique goes out the windows when I start singing. Like my fingers go mental but it is all fun. Sometimes in a live situation I will take a breath and play a classical guitar piece just to center myself before continuing with songs. Also helps the audience know I am able to play the instrument. 30 years singing, 4 years classical guitar but I did Violin and Viola beforehand. Having fun and also enjoying improvising. 😁 BTW, thanks Beatrix. ❤

[@phantominterrogative]

Good day. I've been learning Grieg's Death of Ase from piano sheet music. Determining the position of chords on the guitar has been my bane thus far. Thank you for helping me to think better about placement of chords (common string/fingers).

[@collinbrendemuehl6967]

I began learning (seriously) at 68, though have fiddled with the guitar since my 20s. Just never accomplished anything or learned the rigors of the skill set. My teacher has me working through Parkening, Vol. 1. One thing I've recently learned is that my fingers aren't as strong as they used to be. Low tension strings let me simply touch the strings instead of the stress of pushing them down. I get less volume but it's not like I'm ever going to be giving a concert. Regular tension string later, when I'm ready. I'm struggling those 4-3 stretches. The vertical stretches aren't that bad. But 4 on 1/G and 3 on 5/C (not proper taxonomy but you get the idea) is slowing me down. Thank you for the good videos.

[@johnstickney7042]

I never thought of adding an extra note for smooth chord changes. Also your tips are very valuable. I'd also add playing at very very slow temple and gradually increase speed

[@beatrixguitar]

Glad it was helpful! I fully agree on the slow practice tip too, great point

[@RadarAustralia]

Thanks!

[@beatrixguitar]

Yay thanks a lot!

[@9guitarman]

Thank you Beatrix. It was very good lesson. As for classical guitar composition, the "structural chords" are good to be familiar with to practice them and build the LH strength. Sometimes ,the leading voice/s of the arrangement, can gravitate on 1,2 or more inner string/s of the structured chords as well.

[@DerWegzumStrassenmusiker]

Hey Beatrix, Thank you for the amazing content you create! I was wondering if you could do a video on how to translate sheet music to the guitar. I can read notes, but I don’t know where they are on the guitar or which strings to press. Is there a way to get started, and how can I practice this step by step? Right now, I’m using tabs, but I really want to switch to reading standard notation. It would be so helpful! Thanks again for everything you’re doing-I love your content so much! My goal is to one day play guitar on the street and engage as many people as I can with music, but I know I have a long way to go. Thanks! :)

[@beatrixguitar]

Check out my 2 latest videos, they are exactly on that topic 😁

[@DerWegzumStrassenmusiker]

@@beatrixguitar 🤣

[@ToastandJam52]

Some very sound advice. Nice to see someone else struggling with tuning after changing strings! It always seems like it takes weeks for nylon strings to settle down whereas steel strings settle down within hours. It still find it amazing that Julian Bream would change strings just before every performance! But there again he is one of the greatest guitarists that ever lived!

[@beatrixguitar]

ah yeah the new string thing can be annoying, but it also depends on the situation. so for example when I play, I can tweak it as I go and it's not that noticable but when I teach, I always stop for a few minutes to talk and during that time, the tuding goes off way more. but it is what it is I guess. When I was at university most of us were out of tune almost all the time anyways because we changed strings every 2-3 weeks so I got used to hearing out of tune guitars haha

[@granthurlburt4062]

Oh good! I'm not the only one. The G string was the WORST.

[@Axel-rs3cg]

Thanks for your tutorials, i really appreciate them 😊

[@don911donny9]

Exercises that help sustain pressure on strings while playing higher notes further up the string are useful, stops buzzing when releasing back to lower notes. Technique training is essential with improving all songs, give it time.

[@reach5058]

Thank you so much! I was just having problems with this while I was recording a song, and I opened KZbin, and this was the first video I saw on the page. I like the way you teach-new sub :)

[@beatrixguitar]

Sweet! Thanks for the sub! Hope you sorted out the recording

[@AuditingWithAutism]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great video. Welcome back! Thanks for the pix. (Of course I am talking about the wonderful bike and camping pix during the break)❤

[@jamesrenz9475]

Good information. I am also a music teacher and I am always working with beginners on chord changing issues. Probably the biggest hurdle after getting their fingers comfortable pressing down on the strings.

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Thanks, quick and smooth chord changes are something I have struggled with. The advice on common finger positioning and switching fingering to suit the chord changes are neat hacks😊

[@mer1red]

An excellent idea to make this video and giving a very good explanation. Vertical thinking is a huge problem that most jazz en popular music playing guitarists have, often not even being aware that this is the reason why their playing is not smooth. They cannot think linearly. Unfortunately, few will find this video among the pile of others promoting shapes and looking at chords as isolated independent blocks. Thank you, Beatrix. Keep it up! 👍👍👍

[@nukhanlee2394]

Thank you, Miss! 🙏 I always consider that knowing the basics is the key to mastering the guitar. So far, my biggest struggle playing the classical guitar is creating a simple piece when everything is in my head. I have a good sense of melody and timing but couldn't come up with a decent composition. 😕 Can you, say, cover this in your next update/video? Thank you in advance. 🌹

[@davidolney1305]

Thanks

[@beatrixguitar]

thank you to you too!

[@jasonpauldubeau5740]

You're an awesome teacher! Thanks for contributing your knowledge.

[@matthewgoldberg1461]

Very good advice. I am a finger-style jazz guitarist. I try to play along the lines of the great Scottish jazz guitarist, Martin Taylor. As he does so well, you have to connect the melody line (usually the top note) in a legato fashion even when the chords are changing underneath. Or even, sustain a long melody note while the chords are changing

[@beatrixguitar]

I also found that classical musicians put a stronger emphasis on holding melody notes, it’s definitely something worth keeping in mind I believe

[@oromani1842]

I think part of the fun on learning a new piece, even if it’s a basic 3-chord song is planning the chords and fingerings. I’ll play G in different ways just based on what’s next, for example.

[@beatrixguitar]

yes that's exactly what I meant somewhere at the end of the video, sometimes you need different fingerings and shapes for different situations :)

[@sedgeford]

Thank you @beatrix. So very helpful . Even though I have played guitar for some time I'm very new to classical guitar. I'm struggling with knowing which fingers I should use on my right hand when picking. Would you happen to have a video on the correct right hand method and also how to hold the guitar? Thank you so much.

[@russpalmeri]

Joyous! Made me smile - and I needed a smile.

[@beatrixguitar]

Glad to hear Russ!

[@ionageman]

Practice the chord 10 000 times .. then practice changing it 10 000 times . Once you’ve got it , it’s yours for life .

[@MC-zr7hl]

Really great tips!

[@gut2000]

The common string like an anker :) i loved that term in a course i followed

[@davidbieloh1382]

I just picked the guitar back up after not playing for over 20 years. Any suggestions for some exercises to get my left hand back in shape?

[@LiamWakefield]

Here is a video which Beatrix did on left hand exercises. She also has a video plus workbook on her 11 favourite exercises. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGjRk6mljr2rh7Msi=yfzanX-O_sxhD325

[@felipesantana3431]

Super great quality content❤

[@Parmetheus]

8:04 That's what I'm working on. I feel like I'm in such a hurry to switch chords (like from an Am or G to a F) that the high note barely has time to ring out.

[@beatrixguitar]

have you tried changing the fingers one by one? and just leaving the melody fingers down the longest

[@Parmetheus]

​@@beatrixguitar That'll be the plan next practice 👍

[@sugarfreedom]

The C to Em change is really helpful!

[@AbolfazlAmouzad-zi8jq]

Good job beatrix

[@codonauta]

I believe that doing a more in-depth study to improve the left hand technique would help a lot. Abel Carlevaro has 4 guitar technique books, 2 of which are only for the left hand. One of them is more dedicated to legato, which is another chapter in technique, but the volume 3 works a lot on changing positions in the left hand. I have more problems with my left hand than with my right, so I do some of the exercises he suggests. Whether they work, I don't know yet, I started to practice them recently.

[@stevenparker8872]

Hi, this is helpful, I struggle with all barr chords and any tips would be greatly appreciated

[@LiamWakefield]

Here is a video which Beatrix did on Barre chords for beginners. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4WymHypZ9WIiKMsi=bm3ZhjF1AMG_WjAX

[@beatrixguitar]

There’s a video on my channel where I tried to explain it as best as i can, check it out!

[@blutey]

Any tips for changing from Am to C7 in the 1st position? My little finger always tends to come down last (and late!) rather than together with the other fingers.

[@trinidiana]

Great video. Also, if you don’t mind me asking, what are those beautiful paintings behind you, did you paint them? Who is the artist? I love them!

[@beatrixguitar]

those were made by my grandpa, he only painted a few of these type of paintings, but you can find a few of his works in my etsy shop that I restored last year. I try to restore more but it's a lot of work. Here's a link, all oil paintings were made by him, and everything else is my art: www.etsy.com/shop/BeatrixGuitarStudio

[@JensTwn]

Big thumbs up, this will help me a lot

[@beatrixguitar]

What's your biggest guitar challenge right now? Maybe I can make a video about it! 😊

[@ByTheSpirit84]

I'm a newb at classical style guitar, so my major issue is keeping beat with my thumb while playing a melody or something otherwise. Just gotta practice. Otherwise, something you mention is finger independence for more advanced chord shapes.

[@danalden1112]

After fifty years of playing, arthritis in my little finger on my left hand makes some chord fingering painful (I.e.,G major). So I have had to come up with my own alternatives. I really appreciated your point about alternative approaches to fingering 😊

[@hargisP2]

I would like to see videos on easy arrangements for beginners. Learning songs is one of the ways of learning to play guitar.

[@jlvaviation9140]

Reading classical guitar scores between frets 5 and 12 for the first time. Do you need to learn by heart every note higher up in the fretboard? Thanks!

[@vlodeklukasz1065]

Maybe an arrangement of a Genesis song? The Lamia?For absent friends? After the ordeal?

[@migueldemaria3830]

They're fine tips... for me, personally, the main things to do is 1) know exactly what each finger is doing--where it starts, where it ends up. Once I have absolute clarity, the fingers tend to know what to do, but if there is confusion, it ends up sloppy. 2) Practice changing the chords with individual fingers, (ie, move 1, then 2, then 3, then 4), and then practice it in different combinations, (next move 1, 3, 4, 2, then 1, 4, 2, 3, etc., then 12, 3, 4; 12, 4, 3).

[@ahmedaljasim9878]

Hello l think you should’ve added that there should be the least bit of tension possible you should be more relaxed than not, this stops it from being too painful when playing for a long duration and l find it makes the switch smoother too. Other than that sound advice l would’ve greatly appreciated a video like this when l first learnt chords.

[@WWS322]

I have been learning how to sing. On my own, not using solfege. I have a nice acoustic guitar but I like a nylon string guitar because I can't make a loud sound plucking steel strings. I don't see how people do it! I don't want false nails or finger picks. I don't know where I'm going with this. I would like to write songs and make videos for KZbin.

[@jaziraeneokai3909]

Hi Beatrix! I have a problem when planting my fingertips quickly on the next shape, that fingers miss the sweet spot, the center of the finger tip. Sometines the string ends up under my fingernail for example. Or sometimes I miss the string entirely! Or it's too far from the fret. Or the high E string gets pushed over the edge of the fretboard. It seems like the fingertips are too rounded(?) And then I feel very tense because I know the next movement after that will be awkward or impossible. I will have no control. If you can help me with this, OMG, I will be so grateful! Jazzi

[@beatrixguitar]

Hey, that sounds a bit to me like you are trying to handle to many things at once and maybe too fast. Try to take out the problematic parts of context and work on them slowly, one by one. Priorities accuracy, even if it means to play really slowly or only in small parts. Over time it will come together 😁 hope this helps a bit, in case you would like to explore this further you can sign up for an online lesson with me on my website any time! Cheers!

[@tomfox1372]

Very informative 🙂

[@beatrixguitar]

Thank you Tom! Hope you’re well!

[@brendacampbell5289]

Hi I’m new to your channel. I was wondering if you if you could show us (me) where how to put my hand ( fingers) On the string for finger picking How to finger pick with my fingers. I want to learn soo bad. Can you please help me out ? Thank you. Maybe you even have a course

[@kenwhite1053]

melody finger, didn't know. Thanks

[@jungkais2737]

does someone know the name of the piece at 9:03 ? i’ve heard it too many times it’s haunting me, save me please

[@MikiBlue]

I purchased guitar last week. But the tips of my fingers hurt. Any suggestions? How to minimise the pain?

[@iancameron5536]

Often I find that on chords that are a bit of a stretch the sound of the notes in the chord are not clean or sharp. Yet I have heard others say you do not have to press down to hard to sound the notes, what am I doing wrong?????

[@LiamWakefield]

It sometimes turns out that the mistake we make which stops one chord from sounding clean is not exactly the same as that on another chord. It could be be because one is a barre chord (and all which that entails) and the other is a stretch closer to the nut or even further up where the strings are higher off the fretboard. If you join Beatrix's discord, you can post pictures or video of the chords which give you trouble so that a more targeted answer can be given. 👍

[@tokk3n-hj4xg]

what is that thing on the back of the guitar?

[@LiamWakefield]

It is a Guitar Lift. Many players use a rest which attaches under the upper bout of the guitar body as an alternative to using a footrest. Guitar Lift is another way of getting that position. guitarlift.de/en/

[@mrotty1726]

Can you do carillon by B.Terzi??

[@abramhernandez1216]

My attention caught. 💪🥰👍🎸🎶🎶🎶

[@2o7xx]

I am learning classical guitar. Have a really hard time because I have huge hands.

[@Cloudface45]

🤘

[@lindasmith6668]

Basic transition between f chord and g , c and a

[@7thdaybeliever]

Video on learning to read the music linearly and make it less choppy

[@beatrixguitar]

Can you explain that further? Like being fluent in sight reading?

[@TorbenL1965]

So... Every guitarist has his/her own problems, and mine is the physical movement of fingers. My thought is "more practice" and my hands/fingers will eventually remember the moves more easily. The music lives in my brain, but the fingers cannot keep up. I have yet to meet a person that understands the structure of music better than me, but most people can perform it better than me

[@EngRMP]

I've been "plinking" (learning guitar on my own) for four years now. For the life of me, I can not find a way to KNOW where the strings are under my right hand. If I can anchor my hand I do OK, but if I'm using a pick and have to jump over a string, or reach for a string... forget it, I'll be wrong 80% of the time. How can I calibrate my brain for this????

[@LiamWakefield]

Here's a video which Beatrix did on basic technique for right hand on classical guitar kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6jLfYmed7uZpa8si=VQn0lf7EkPS8POfz

[@LiamWakefield]

A plectrum is not used in classical guitar. There are many exercises for improving accuracy when switching adjacent strings, skipping 1 or more strings and even accenting a string while strumming a chord to bring out a melody note. Beatrix has a discord server where people who play many styles which do use a plectrum could give you advice. 👍

[@EngRMP]

@@LiamWakefield Thanks so much Liam... I'll see if I can find that.

[@LiamWakefield]

@EngRMP there's a link in the description. Hope to see you there. Don't forget to let everyone know about you in the introductions room. 👍

[@ionageman]

Nylon guitars don’t have to be played with perfect fingernails ( who the hell files there finger nails ) .. just practice .. you’ve come a long way in 4 years , but you are 4 years into your guitar life .. will it be a problem in 4 years .. probably not P.s. I got ridiculed most days for the first 10 - 15 years .. I don’t get ridiculed anymore .

[@mohaklondhe]

You're so cool

[@AbolfazlAmouzad-zi8jq]

🌹🌹🌹for you

[@LiamWakefield]

Thank you. 😊

[@MojoMedicineMan]

👍👍

[@a7xwii]

My struggle is that the pads of my fingers always touch the string below it.

[@beatrixguitar]

hm that sounds like a left hand thumb problem to me. I made a thumb video too, maybe check it out and see if it helps

[@a7xwii]

@beatrixguitar I observed the video and implemented your counsel, however, I continue to experience muted sounds. I must concentrate diligently on my finger placement to avoid contact with the lower strings, which inevitably impedes the tempo.

[@ramonacosta2647]

I have that problem sometimes too. Sometimes the problem is that I haven't cut my nails in a while so I can't roll them enough.

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

cute i mean thanks for the tips. This is useful.

[@gregbox9517]

Interesting view.

[@bigfootninjajr1481]

I struggle with right hand technique.

[@LiamWakefield]

Here is one of Beatrix's videos on right hand technique. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6jLfYmed7uZpa8si=QlbTkWQZzjp-K7TE

[@Gstation9]

LIKE LIKE LIKE FROM MIKE ~

[@AbolfazlAmouzad-zi8jq]

Hello beatrix It's about 7 days you didn't share video on KZbin. I think you have a big surprise

[@beatrixguitar]

I got sick, I actually was out for 5 days, just started to recover 😀😅

[@AbolfazlAmouzad-zi8jq]

@beatrixguitar hi beatrix That's too bad😔 . I wish you will getting better very soon😉. After 10 days cycling your body needs recovery and getting sick was the worst event that happened.

[@ROBOTAM1999]

I want to learn the chords, and there is no free way that has all the chords in one video. So please 🙏make us a video for the chords or some of them for now.

[@ramonacosta2647]

There are thousands of chords. There's no practical way to make a video showing all of them. The best thing to do is to learn how chords are formed and then come up with your own chords. You'll also learn lots of chords through repetition when you play songs.

[@ROBOTAM1999]

@ramonacosta2647 Thanks🙏. I'll try your way right now because I'm struggling with the chords. Thank you again man

[@LiamWakefield]

Ramona is correct. There are a lot of chords and many different ways to play them. You really need to focus your efforts on a few chords at a time which are applicable to the style which you want to play. And, at the same time follow his advice in understanding what makes a chord. This can seem more like music theory than guitar playing, but you should try to apply what you learn to the fretboard as soon as you can. This will also aid in remembering all the notes on each string. 👍

[@ManWithoutThePants]

Learning how chords are formed is not even hard concept. After learning the concept you can make up all the different chords there is and play them different ways on the fretboard. If you are a beginner at the start you may have to think for a while to find the notes on the fretboard, but in time it gets faster when you come more familiar where the notes are on fretboard. But in this way you don't need any chord charts and you can find a chord that fits in the situation the best without jumping all over the fretboard between chords.

[@ROBOTAM1999]

@@LiamWakefield Thanks for your help 🙏

[@a.technology1446]

i have 2 second delay between 2 chords 😢😢

[@rodericksibelius8472]

Just play music, such as Classical Guitar pieces with a lot of chords, The 20 Segovia Sor Studies, the VILLALOBOS ETUDES AND PRELUDES, repertoire for Classical Guitar is REPLETE with chordal passages, and even, Flamenco Repertoire... Don't study chords alone with no purpose unless you have a purpose for it. I'm a Classical Guitar Hobbyist for 45 years. Christopher Parkening's advice: PLAY REPERTOIRE, IT WILL COME, Practice, Practice!!!!!!!!! PRACTICE SLOW IN THOSE TRANSITIONS, AND GRADUALLY INCREASE SPEED.

[@RamMaurya-be4kz]

Hand pain while playing

[@stewartgatsi3180]

The cure is playing more until pain stops

[@JMI559]

​@@stewartgatsi3180 😢😮

[@Joseph-st7li]

You gotta wear wrist wraps often which help heal your ligaments . Also every morning I place my hands in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes . Fish oil , tumeric , decrease inflammation. cherries and chondrite sulfate for joint health . And make sure your neck is aligned

[@beatrixguitar]

try releasing the tension as often as possible. between chords, on open strings, when you play something easy, just try to relax your hand to prepare for the next tense moment. Hope this helps a bit, but I plan to talk about it in an upcoming video.

[@granthurlburt4062]

@@stewartgatsi3180 I guess you think this is funny but of course that's the worst thing to do and many people won't know this.

[@jogmas12]

What’s the secret Beatrix ?

[@jasoncdebussy]

"Shapes and fingering are not music. We need to stop looking at chords as shapes" "I start to visualise the shape of the chord in the air... As smoothly as possible I try to place this shape on the guitar" Hmmmmm... 🤔

[@beatrixguitar]

Very clever, you got me. I wish I addressed this very specific conflict in the video. Oh wait, I did 😩

[@jasoncdebussy]

@@beatrixguitar Except that you didn't

[@KaptainCanuck]

Talk about making something simple enough into a long-winded explanation. The only thing required is to do "chord hopping" for new chords. I like tip a view memt6uoned about eventually trying in the dark. Classical guitar is somewhat different in it does not use chords as we know them. the fingers are placed for melodic style over harmonic strumming of standard shapes.

[@jaziraeneokai3909]

Thanks!

[@beatrixguitar]

Wow thank you too! 😁