How to Change Chords Smoothly - Campfire Guitarist Quick-Start Series #4

Probably the biggest problem area for new guitar players is being able to change between open guitar chords smoothly. Because it’s such a big stumbling block, many guitarists get stuck here and end up quitting. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen. So in this lesson, we’ll be covering the most important tips for changing chords smoothly.

The first tip is to know the individual chord shapes you’re changing between very well. Next, you want to limit the chords you're changing between to just two. The third tip is to know the entire progression like the back of your hand so you don’t have to think about it. Next, you want to practice awareness and be present so you know where you are in the song. Lastly, you’ll want to work on thinking about the way the next chord looks and feels before the change so you’re not caught off guard.

Implementing these tips and spending some time practicing is guaranteed to have you changing between chords like a total boss. It may take a few days or weeks of practice. But if you focus on making this a part of your daily time with the guitar, you’ll notice smoother chord changes in no time!