Changing chords

What’s the very first difficulty you find when you start to learn guitar? Say “changing chords” so we can move on. Okay? This is the first “mystery” of guitar playing: how does that guy get his hand and fingers to move so fast? So the most natural thing to do when you begin guitar lessons is to try to move your hands and fingers quickly. But does it work? Not on your nelly!
Here are some responses to the chord changing conundrum. First an answer on a forum:
“I know it sounds crazy but in order to change chords quickly change chords slowly.
I was taught “Planting” meaning when I’m switching chords I’ll play the first one. Stop. Carefully put the next chord on taking as long as I need to get the fingering right and no buzzing or over tension. Then put it down and continue. I’ll do the switch ten times a play through. In the beginning setting up a chord can take a minute. But I’ll just sit there and switch taking as long as I need studying devising which fingers I can use as leads etc. The first few days it will take a while. The next week a lot less. Given time you can switch to whatever chord you want without missing a beat.
Too many guitar players don’t realize that if you can’t play it slow you wont be able to play it fast.”
http://www.gametabs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=76

Next an article on about.com
“The primary reason beginners have trouble switching chords quickly has nothing to do with their fingers, or the way they’re sitting, or anything physical at all. Most often, new guitarists haven’t learned to think ahead, and visualize exactly which chord they’re about to play, and which fingers they’ll need to move.
Try this exercise:
Choose two chords you know. You will be moving back and forth between these two chords.
Play the first chord eight times (strumming evenly), and then, without breaking the rhythm of your strumming, quickly move to the next chord, and play that chord eight times.
Did you need to pause while switching chords? If so, let’s try and examine what the problem is. Try the following, without strumming the guitar:
Put your fingers back in position to play the first chord.
Now, try and move quickly to the second chord, and study your fingers while doing so.
Chances are, one (or a few) of your fingers will come way off the fretboard, and perhaps hover in mid-air while you try to decide where each finger should go. This happens, not because of any lack of technical ability, but because you haven’t mentally prepared yourself for switching chords.
Now, try fretting the first chord again. Without actually moving to the second chord, VISUALIZE playing this second chord shape. Picture in your mind, finger by finger, how to most efficiently move to the next chord. Only after you’ve done this should you switch chords. If some fingers continue to pause, or hover in mid air while moving to the next chord, back up and try again. Also, concentrate on “minimum motion” - commonly, beginners bring their fingers very far off the fretboard while switching chords; this is unnecessary. Spend five minutes going back and forth between the two chords, visualizing, then moving. Pay attention to any small, unneccessary movements your fingers make, and eliminate them. Although this is easier said than done, your hard work and attention to detail will start paying off quickly. Good luck!”
http://guitar.about.com/od/commonbeginnerquestions/qt/switchingchords.htm

Finally some advice from cyberferet.com:
“Especially when learning a new chord, the tendency is to put one finger down at a time. This is fine at first, but soon enough you will find that it slows you down drastically. It is important to work on placing all of your fingers on a chord at the same time.”
Get the rest of the lesson on changing chords at http://www.cyberfret.com/chords/changing/index.php

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