How to Get Faster at Changing Guitar Chords

[@FinanceMan]

Damn getting character background right off the bat

[@seandaniel23]

Yup! :)

[@camilleroseministries]

"...I thought he was a wizard; but in hindsight, I realize he wasn't a wizard..." 😁😁😁

[@seandaniel23]

Glad you're enjoying the vids Camille!

[@cmesque]

1

[@jesseverduzco1856]

😂

[@Niznuts123]

What I like is you explain why you should keep strumming. Others videos simply say “don’t stop strumming” but never explain why. Now I know why

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for saying so!

[@DavePowell]

This is a great video. The lead finger is a good trick. I have been slow at changing chords for a while now but just practicing with this technique for a few hours really helped. I also like the suggestion of completely taking your hand off as you move the next chord otherwise you end up learning moving from one chord to the next vs. learning how to create the chord shape. I love the approach you take to your channel. Lots of great information without showing off coupled with a lot of humor. It makes it a really fun place to learn. Thanks for your efforts here.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! I'm glad it's helping out, I'll keep em coming!

[@prodkwop]

That got a little personal there xD

[@seandaniel23]

Sometimes it does ;)

[@prodkwop]

😂 ha

[@didenuismer2154]

Sean Daniel im sorry man

[@sJd9579]

Zovlo that's how you FEEL the music

[@a7xgunslingerpolly689]

Lmao

[@mercyh193]

Omg thanks for those awesome tips! Especially the tip to keep strumming and not stopping which will decrease the awkward silent pauses in the song and also buy time been chord switching. I'm gonna try this. Also gonna try having a lead finger and putting it down first to create the chord. I have my 1st beginners recital on Sunday and I'm still pausing awkwardly between chords.

[@cyren_]

Over a year later and this tutorial is still helping me. Thank you.

[@seandaniel23]

+PaperBagBoy So cool to hear!

[@otterprods]

I just stumbled across your strumming 101 video. Well done. I think my days of following Rick Beato very closely are coming to a close. I need to stop learning so much about demonetization and blocking and start learning some usable tips on strumming and chord changes. Thanks!!!

[@seandaniel23]

Welcome to the party!

[@mimilovehealth8605]

"When you are ready, the right teacher will appear".Thanks , I learn so much from your vids, its extraordinary actually. You have the gift.🧞‍♀️

[@johnosullivan6620]

Thank you for sharing this! I hit a wall just copying songs on lessons time to learn methods and theory you are great at explaining both!

[@seandaniel23]

Thank you! No problem :)

[@marcelojavierzayassisa7389]

It's amazing how when searching for chord change speed videos they are super long and mostly do not tell all, like most will try to sell you their courses before doing what the title says. Great video, short, useful, very well explained.

[@drguy2156]

Sean, since finding you my playing is developing nicely, many thx. buddy.

[@seandaniel23]

So great to hear man!

[@nwablackdeff2553]

Best video I’ve come across so far. Thanks man. I’ve been feeling defeated lately. It’s new, but I didn’t expect it to be so difficult.

[@twilighttgold6492]

"It's not hard, it's just new" -A quote I read from random person in internet

[@TALKINGtac0]

0:20 Dude 😂 what happened 😂😂😂😂

[@seandaniel23]

I don't think I'm emotionally ready to speak of it yet.

[@tatianaa.3694]

Lol XP

[@brendencooper5154]

@@seandaniel23 what about now?

[@gamerfuzionhd1689]

Or now?

[@lokos289]

@@seandaniel23 what about now

[@millerviz]

A Berkeley instructor teaches that in order to learn a new chord grip, press down hard on the strings while holding the chord for as long as you can. Do this a couple of times and you get muscle memory for the chord very quickly. It works!

[@blue4038]

Thanks so much! I've been playing for a couple months and this is exactly what I've been struggling with, especially going from G to C. It's funny that you mention the disconjointed way of practicing out of time, as that's pretty much how I've been trying to get it. This video was very helpful, I'll be sure to apply these tips to my own practice. Thank you!!

[@seandaniel23]

So cool to hear! Rock on!

[@learningthelife27]

Thanks a lot for your lessons sir....I have been struggling with the strumming and now am feeling lucky that I saw your videos....In just an half an hour my strumming has started sound good...Keep Doing the great work man...Love from India

[@seandaniel23]

Love it! Cheers from the US!

[@amitozazad1584]

This is the best tuto on switching chords !

[@heighwaysonthewing]

very good tips , I've played in bands for years as just main vocal , made many records and played all over the world & finally after all these years , started to learn guitar , very grateful for your lessons on here the advice , is excellent it's really good and helpful, it's funny starting right at the beginning again , but really enjoin the challenge .

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for saying so! Best of luck!

[@heighwaysonthewing]

@@seandaniel23 thanks I'm improving all the time , want to get out and play on my own , I cave a catalog of over 70 songs I've released , so lots of reasons to succeed at this , thanks for the vids it's great and very helpful cheers t cheers.

[@fronolox4616]

Hi Sean, I've been through almost all your videos and I must say that I have not learned so much from any other source. It's very clear, to the point and makes a lot of sense. For someone lacking talent as much as I am, it has been a great help. Thanks, cheers, Franck

[@seandaniel23]

+Franck Naulleau Thanks for the kind words, Franck. I'll keep them coming and let me know if you ever have any questions.

[@ajeebprani]

Whatever i learnt feels fake listening to u.... U r truly exceptional

[@chuenmasiello]

The leading finger tip is the best idea. Help me overcome changing from D to G. Thank you !

[@seandaniel23]

+Quan Masiello Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@duaneblake7986]

Who's THE Wizard now, my man!? Great practical lesson. Thank you.

[@dangardner7529]

Great tips. Especially keeping the strumming hand moving to gain some time. There's hope for seniors.

[@snarfblatt]

Thank You! I've been struggling forever, trying to smoothly get from G to Bm. All the rest is helpful, too!

[@gethsa5629]

Thank you Sean, great advice at the end of the video. I will not stop strumming.

[@seandaniel23]

Strum on!

[@rockmuschel]

Oh cool, I've been doing that unintentionally since the beginning of my playing.

[@seandaniel23]

+rockmuschel Awesome, keep up the good work!

[@OneManProductivity]

same

[@Caleb-bp8bm]

I've been doing similar

[@ojsojs6004]

@@seandaniel23 do you still implement that lead finger first rather than place all the finger at the same time now that you are more experienced now?

[@psavelli65]

Yes! Great lesson - I really enjoy your videos and they have really helped me but this video, in particular helped me put into words what I've been doing - and you picked the G to Bm transition. I've tried to explain the "don't stop strumming" piece - your explanation is perfect. This is how you avoid that stilted sound of changing chords so often seen. Thanks so much for putting this one together. Super useful. I've been subscribed for while and just keep finding more of these gems. Awesome stuff - please keep it up.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks Pat! I'll keep it up!

[@mfm386]

Your guitar is beautiful!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! Gotta love that Taylor GA3

[@bloodeater]

I feel your videos are sometimes a bit simple for me but I love your attitude and I always do learn something

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@RebekahRussellMusic]

Thank you so much! I've watched 3 of your videos, and I'm already getting better! You're amazing!!

[@arnabmondal5124]

I love your intros man, you are an excellent guitar player Sean. You inspire me a lot

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for saying so!

[@willwynne9238]

Always been a martyschwartz bumboy cos he essentially taught me everything. Not til now have i found anyone else actually helpful for myself. You're a belter

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! Marty is the man! Glad you're enjoying the vids :)

[@thecard69]

Now that's a great tip! My old fat fingers are having hell with practicing chords, this should help a lot, thanks...

[@seandaniel23]

+thecard69 Happy to help!

[@virtualensaniti2824]

I totally agree with your first statement!

[@markg3094]

There are so, so many instructional videos for guitar out there online, however yours are the best - by a mile. Possibly even a nautical one. Thank you so much for making them - please create more videos geared toward beginners. You see, beginners always need to watch the same video several times in a row in order to grasp instruction contained therein, thus increasing your "video watched" counts. (*selfishly hoping you fall for this ruse*)

[@seandaniel23]

Wow thanks so much Mark! And thank you for the feedback, I think starting at some point next month I'm going to try and do a few more beginner ones so stay tuned!

[@TomasMichaud]

Good lesson... thanks.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching Tomas!

[@rich_in_paradise]

Watching this video in 2018, nostalgic for the classic couch...

[@seandaniel23]

'Twas a good couch.

[@vikrraal]

by far the most helpful chord changing guide I have seen...

[@guardianobserver6593]

What?

[@phoenixdoglover9403]

Sean, thanks very much. This little video is a gem, with good tips that meet me where I am right now in my development. You’re a wizard, man!

[@thetruthful9805]

Big man thank you very much for the great lesson from austin texas. 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@seandaniel23]

Rock on!

[@rubentanguma5953]

After this lesson I'm getting her back😁

[@E1vise1vis]

You are a Great teacher sir.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! I'll keep em coming!

[@jameskennedy7093]

Another thing that works for me is just sitting on a transition over and over. Like, it's tempting to try to play through a song if most of the chord progression sounds good, but it's best to focus the practice time on that one chord switch that isn't working. I still am significantly slower getting into the top of the neck D than I am at getting into practically any other type of chord, but by focusing just on the transitions between different chords and D I'm getting better at it.

[@1tsdee]

this was so helpful i have learned my first song on my guitar and i have been stuck with getting from g to d but im getting better

[@seandaniel23]

So cool to hear! Keep it up!

[@mitchmarks500]

Helpful tips, Thanks

[@seandaniel23]

No prob, thanks for watching!

[@psteeg3551]

What works for me is this. Learn how to set each chord correctly in one fluent movement, rather than leading with 1 finger followed by the rest. Learn how to do this for each chord individually. Then start putting chords after each other at an extreeeeemely slow tempo. If you do a chord progression 10 times extremely slow, it will start to feel easier and you will automatically speed up quickly afterwards, but this will only work if you place each chord correctly at slow tempo.

[@seandaniel23]

Perfectly fine way of doing it!

[@Sky-lm2no]

I trained myself to change from cord to cord faster by... let me explain, so say I'm playing a G cord, and in the song I want to go from G to a D cord, instead of just doing that, I'd switch to let's say a C position, but not playing the cord, I'd quickly go to the D cord, and then play. Maybe for beginners this isn't the best way to start, but it got me very fluent. You're basically training your brain to work twice as fast then it needs to, it's also a handly trick to learn if you accidently go to the wrong cord when playing a song, you can stop yourself and quickly switch to the right cord, without any mistakes. This might sound complicated, but try it on the guitar, it's a lot easier than you think, and trust me it will help a lot!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for sharing :)

[@ghairraigh]

Hey, Sean. When you said FORGET TRADITIONAL VOICINGS, what you meant is Forget Traditional FINGERINGS. The beginner's folk guitar books say to play that G chord with your middle finger on the bass note. Experienced players learn the version with the ring finger on the bass note which you show @4:13. This is the same voicing of the chord with a more efficient, useful fingering. I find the most helpful thing for quick chord changes is to AVOID THE DEATH GRIP. Beginners tend to really press hard to avoid buzzing, but the lightest possible touch will make chord changes quicker and easier. Trust me on this - I play unamplified guitar in a big band with no microphone and high stiff action (looks like you could put a pencil under my strings). I use a extra heavy gauge custom set of strings .014 .018 .029w .039 .049 .062. If I used a Death Grip, I couldn't change chords fast and I wouldn't last one set. - Keep the fine lessons coming!

[@seandaniel23]

Great comment, right on. And thanks for watching!

[@metaldad1967]

Thanks for this lesson. I'll have to try these out

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@moebees3060]

These are fantastic tips. Thanks.

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@MrSant007]

Great lesson ! Thanks much

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching Santosh!

[@parthchaudhary7186]

indian

[@userenvy]

This is very smart. Get to the psychology of it... I guess it's called. These are my favorite things.... Those super small, everyday situations when your missing the first step so whatever else happens after just doesn't fit right. When u hear it that missing piece it all just pulls right together. Its like the root note of thinking. Lol. When u know it, things everywhere line up and the whole picture is much clearer. Thanks.

[@metaldad1967]

Just started playing acoustic guitar again. Thanks for the helpful info. New subscriber looking forward to more

[@seandaniel23]

So great to hear1 Welcome to the party!

[@AMS82005]

Great tips, man. Thanks for sharing.

[@Seirryu-heart8]

Wow ur really a good teacher

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@aditikumar6849]

i'm quite happy with ur video cuz i actually got what u wanted to explain.....my bruh says i've got thin finger n i'm a fast learner....so i guess i kinda got it ......thank ya lots.........love ya...

[@seandaniel23]

+Aditi kumar (Chris) Happy to help! Love ya too!

[@aditikumar6849]

Sean Daniel kayyyy

[@DesireeRodriguezGuitarra]

Those are all the things that I exactly do, although unaware of it, only by practice, but watching this video I realized that those are all the tricks that I do.

[@seandaniel23]

Awesome to hear! Keep on rocking!

[@TheEric1203]

Great video as always, thanks for the lesson

[@seandaniel23]

+TheEric1203 No problem, happy to help!

[@javierf55]

Changing chords fast is like seeing Federer playing tennis; looks easy!! thanks for the video

[@seandaniel23]

+Javier Fernandez If I could get my chord changes as smooth as that Federer backhand, that'd be something.

[@gregorybrian]

My motto: Shortcuts may make you feel good in the moment but relying on them every time comes back to bite you down the road.

[@GTBizo]

great video, right pace and very useful

[@seandaniel23]

Thank you for watching!

[@jeffrey3498]

Superb lesson! Awesome man!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@brucemartin727]

thanks, great video really easy to understand

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching Bruce!

[@kurtturner5120]

Super helpful. As a beginner I am always stopping the strumming hand until I can make the chord and then the chord, usually, looks and sounds like shite... nevermore

[@seandaniel23]

Be a slave to the fretting hand no more!

[@iTzZJaSoNxX]

Love your videos. Every single one is so thoughtful

[@jagosingh85]

Great tips!! Tks

[@gerrykp]

oh my gawd you are so funny...smart and funny! I love your hippy comment in your intervals video! thanks for the vids and keeping it light and easy. The instruction of playing open between chord changes was awesome!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for watching! I'll keep em coming!

[@ankanmishra7697]

Thanks Sean. Very helpful 😊

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@Rahul-fq9kf]

Rightly said. You will be a great tutor.

[@rishabbalai721]

😍😍😍😍😍😍it worked for me. Thanks... Had a problem with d and b minor.. Thanks

[@TRFDVB45CS]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@michelblueg23]

Great tricks - thanks!

[@ojsojs6004]

You are a wizard at teaching guitar l.

[@kedarchitrakathi2669]

Great video....will help me alot

[@joetroutt7425]

The keep strumming part is a gem. I guess going from G to C is a pain for everybody bc that's what I'm stuck on. I get it in time 1 out of 10 times and an even trying to close my eyes and do it so I can remember the shape. I'll get it though. Only been playing a week and a half

[@philoumars3168]

Of course if you want to move all the finger at the same times it is more difficult but at the end it is necessary to change them at the same times as much as possible.

[@rishabbalai721]

Bro ...u r so cool........and ur videos is more of important things than blabla. . Thanks bro

[@anthonylakatos1043]

Very helpful thank you so much!

[@seandaniel23]

No prob!

[@margeanderson9380]

This is excellent!!! Thank you so much, Sean, for these great guitar instruction!!! :)

[@seandaniel23]

Your welcome :)

[@davidpieper7949]

From playing strictly on acoustic for 1+ years, I went to the music store and gauged myself on electric guitar. I was able to transition from open to barre pretty fluidly on the electric, so i know im close on acoustic...and the i found this video. I like your advise on keeping your stumming hand going no matter what...even if i have to take a aecond or two to form the barre. Thanks

[@davidpieper7949]

....i guess my advise is that if you think you are close with open to narre chord transitioning, go play an electric for measure.

[@seandaniel23]

Great suggestion David. Going electric can be a real confidence boost!

[@leewithey2014]

The wizard ….. Fantastic!!!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks Lee!

[@patrykzielinski1581]

Oh man. You're best teacher

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@TheJAE54]

Awesome tips dude!!!! Thanks a bunch!!!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@TheJAE54]

Sean Daniel it's cool that you respond to comments! I'll support whatever you do bro!

[@jcesaralb]

Thank you, great video

[@ChrisS-nj3ye]

Great advice... thanks.

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@youneke]

That personal joke @0:20 made me like and subscribe right away XD XD

[@seandaniel23]

Welcome to the party!

[@grantnolin]

Thanks. You talked me off the roof.

[@seandaniel23]

Glad to hear it!

[@Calor_Mortem]

Thanks. Helped out a lot

[@seandaniel23]

Great to hear it!

[@hjtrp3629]

Love your lesson so so much bro!

[@AfRoToAd]

The intro had me dying laughing I SO did not see that coming, dude I’m so sorry about that 😂😂😂

[@pawjames146]

Placing the root note finger first will give you an extra millisecond to complete the chord or correct a misplaced or slipped finger.

[@seandaniel23]

100% right.

[@JoeMama-ll7zr]

great video thanks for sharing

[@richardjones965]

Thank you

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help Richard!

[@ThePedalboardOrchestra]

Thanks for the great video, gave me really some good thoughts and ideas for practicing!

[@seandaniel23]

+Harry Haller Happy to help! Thanks for the support!

[@chuenmasiello]

Thank you for sharing, very helpful!

[@seandaniel23]

+Quan Masiello Happy to be of service! Thanks for watching.

[@MrBryanborn]

awesome! great tips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching Russell!

[@wowleague6779]

Very helpful. . Thank you 😊😄

[@seandaniel23]

No prob! Thanks for watching!

[@malikAli-ud6qo]

Thanks dude...

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@mqwhat]

yeah endlich!!!! I know it all the time, that it is better to form the chord from the root note and then the others instead of forming it all together at one time. Thanks!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!