Mar 8

Chord Chart Major

Posted on Monday, March 8, 2010 in guitar lessons

Chord Chart Major
how fast should i expect to learn guitar??

my grandpa said i should be able to do house of the rising sun within a month… but I’ve been at it for three days and i can already almost do American Pie (almsot meaning that damned C note is very hard to switch to for me, but i can switch to the other chords in the song easily.). And while I’m asking questions about guitar…. should i use fingers 1, 2, and 3 for A major or should I use 2, 3, and 4? I have a chord chart that says 2, 3, and 4, and i have an online guitar lesson that says 1, 2, and 3

How long it takes depends on your coordination, kinesthetic memory (muscle memory) self discipline, and the amount of time you are willing to invest in your art. Fingering is subjective. Most chord books will tell you that it absolutely has to be done in a certain way, but they don’t take into consideration that each person’s hand shape is slightly different. The important thing is to determine which fingering is right for you, practice it consistently, and make sure that it facilitates movement back and forth to other chords. Some people play A 1,2,3 and some play 1,3,2 – it all depends on your finger length, hand size, and the width of the fret or fingerboard. Some play A – 2,3,4 but that’s a little more unusual. If it works for you and it helps you move back and forth to different chords, it’s right for you and that’s what really matters.

Switching back and forth between chords is really one of the most challenging things you will do on guitar, and you just have to deliberately keep doing it until your hands can do it without your consciously thinking about it. Pick two to four chords at a time. Change every four measures, change every two measures, change every measure, change every two beats, and then finally change every beat. When you master that, go on to a familiar chord with a new chord. Always start with something you are comfortable with and progress from there to something you don’t know, or are clumsy at. This builds relationships in your brain, which facilitate long term memory building. Best of look, hope this helps, and if you need anything, give me a shout.

Grace Like Rain – acoustic cover w/ Chord Chart