Guitar Practice Tips

Most chord dictionaries show you how to play more then 2000 chords. Beginner guitarists should first learn 6 chords. The Open Major Chords, (A C D E F G). These chords will allow you to play the basic versions of 85% of the songs played on the radio. These chords are awkward and very frustrating to position. To simplify these chords, you need to walk into these chords. You will want to position your weakest fingers first. For most people; it’s their 4th Ring finger and 5th Pinky fingers. If your fingers do not reach certain positions you should lower your thumb behind the fret board. This will allow more dexterity in your fingers.

Play slower paced music. It is not yet important to match the rhythm being played, just try to get to that specific chord in a timely fashion. Your speed will increase with time. For me, I was a big fan of Pink Floyd, so I purchased the chord books to these albums and I learned to play guitar by trying to match the chords being played from the legendary albums, “The Wall” and “The Dark Side of the Moon”. If a chord was identified as a C7, C9 or a Dsus4, etc… I would just play the original open chords, until I mastered them. Then I would learn the Minor Open Chord, Power Chords, Major Barre Chords, Minor Barre Chords then the additional chords. The Open Chords are the foundation of future success.

Written By Jeffrey Grossi