Chord Change Exercises

Chord change exercise tab

Practice switching back and forth between the interval or chord shapes grouped together in pairs above. Follow the strum suggestions as shown in the video (and listed here). Start with whole note or four-count strums. When you feel your fingers are moving together fairly easily, shorten the time between changes, shifting to half note and quarter note strums. 

The two-finger shape in Groups 1-3 creates the interval called a major third. An interval gets its name from the distance between the two notes in the shape and the total amount of whole or half steps between the notes. The third is called a major because we move a total of two whole steps from C and E. C to E flat would be a minor third (whole step + half step). The major third is the foundation of all major chords which is why it is found in the G, C, F and D shapes in first position. For a more in-depth lesson on intervals see: Understanding Intervals. 

Groups 4-6 either share a similar shape (Group 4) or share a finger placement (Groups 5-6). When practicing 5 and 6 do your best to keep the finger used in both chords on the fretboard when changing, this will help to steady your hand and make for a smoother transition. 

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