“How to switch between chords on a guitar”
For those of us who have ever taken a guitar lesson, one of the first things you learn is the G C, and D chords. They are all used in the earliest songs a student learns because they are easy to play.
Often times the struggle comes from switching between the chords at the correct tempo while maintaining accuracy. For this reason, beginners to intermediate students require direction in building a practice exercise to master the skill of switching between chords.
This is why I utilize the technique I call the “Take it away” method of strumming and practicing chords.
“Take it away” example 1
The “Take it away” method is an easy tool to include in any practice routine that focuses on playing chords and switching between them.
(See example 1)
The way the method works is this, the student strums the chord they are working on while counting 1 2 3 4. This is immediately followed by the phrase, “Take it away 3 4”. As the student says “Take it away”, they remove their hand from the fretboard of the guitar. They then return their hand to the chord upon counting 3 and 4. The student will then be prepared to strum the chord and count 1 2 3 4 again.
The whole cycle can then easily be repeated to reinforce the motion of putting all fingers on the correct fret and string of the guitar. The “Take it away” method can be adjusted for tempo to accommodate any difficulty the student is experiencing.
“Take it away” example 2
This technique becomes especially useful by using it to switch between two or more chords. For example, you play the G chord with four strums. When you “Take it away” you then move into position to play the D chord. Then returning to the G chord during the next “Take it away” section to finish the cycle.
(See example 2)
What is most beneficial about this process is having the fretting hand repeatedly get in and out of position. Accurate repetition of the exercise is what leads to the most long-lasting growth. This approach helps to reinforce the accurate placing of the fingers, which is the foundation of quality performance when playing chords.
The exercise is even more useful because it promotes accurate rhythm and tempo while still giving newer players the time necessary to make the jump between chords. It helps prepare students to practice with a metronome in an intuitive way.
The goal of the “Take it away” method is to slow down the difficult process of moving between chords without sacrificing the importance of rhythm. All eventual mistakes happen slowly enough for the player to recognize the error and make corrections.
As the student grows in their consistency an increase in tempo will add further challenge. Further levels of difficulty can continue to be applied over time as the player improves.
“Take it away” example 3
The next level of difficulty includes shortening the number of strums and time between chords.
(See example 3)
You simply strum and count to two, take your hand away and say “Take it away”, then immediately move to the next chord. The tempo can still be slow, but the time allotted for switching between chords is shortened.
It is an intermediate step between the full version and no “Take it away” at all. This last step can be challenging and may take some time to master. The best approach is to practice immediately moving to the next chord each time you move your hand away. This version builds off of the muscle memory previously established and pushes the player to make a quick and accurate switch.
As an additional best practice I encourage starting the exercise at the full version, building momentum with each successful cycle, before attempting the shortened version.
Similarly, wait until several accurate cycles of the short “Take it away” before playing the chords back to back. Remember that our goal is accuracy and not speed. Switching between chords can be an early stumbling block for so many guitar students. Give this exercise a try for 15 minutes a day over a whole week to see if you’ve made any progress.
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