| How do we begin to learn how to play guitar chords? | | | | your progress. The end result will be that the chord |
| By learning your I IV V chord progression in the first | | | | progressions will come automatically to you. This will |
| position. In the key of C that would be C F G chords. If | | | | stay with you all your life. |
| you need help, just do a web search for "chord | | | | Another exercise for developing physical dexterity is |
| progressions" or the "Nashville number system". Learn | | | | practicing scales. One point that needs so be made |
| these chords in all keys. I do not mean learn them all | | | | here is to learn scale shapes. Just as there is an |
| right now but take it as a medium to long term task. | | | | assortment of guitar chords in first position, and a few |
| Take a look at some sheet music or tabs for songs | | | | basic shapes that can be moved up the fretboard, |
| that you want to learn and work on the keys that your | | | | there are also scale patterns that can be moved to all |
| songs are in. That way you will be able to put your | | | | positions. One thing to look out for is the point where |
| hard work to some good use. | | | | fatigue sets in after a few runs up and down the |
| If you have been working on how to play guitar chords | | | | scale. Accuracy and speed do not necessarily follow |
| while staying in rhythm you have probably found the | | | | warming up the fingers. The answer to this is do not |
| going a little slow. The next step is to go looking for | | | | spend too much time on scales if you do not yet |
| shortcuts. Sorry there are no shortcuts to fast chord | | | | know your chords. Once you know some open |
| changes, just slow, meticulous practice until one day | | | | chords you can play a few songs which is something |
| you notice your body can change chords all by itself. | | | | to show for your initial efforts. Then you can settle |
| Some people call it muscle memory, others say that all | | | | down to working on scales. Improvement in playing |
| acquisition of motor skills is the work of "the | | | | scales simply comes with some weeks and months of |
| intelligence of the body". Whatever the explanation, too | | | | practice. |
| much analysis never helps. What does help is | | | | Once you have some basic chords under your belt, |
| repeated practice. | | | | get yourself some songs like some basic blues or a |
| Learning chord progressions will train and strengthen | | | | few Bob Dylan songs. Play along with some CDs or |
| your fingers and give you some practice in strumming. | | | | whatever is on the radio. Your aim is to build your |
| What is most important in this is to practice carefully | | | | confidence and musical skill early in your career as a |
| so you are not repeating a whole lot of mistakes. | | | | guitar player. This progress will help you in the next |
| What is at work here is muscle memory and the more | | | | stages of learning to play the guitar. |
| careful you are to get things right, the faster will be | | | | |