chord transitioning

chord transitioning

Hi everyone,

I'd like to ask a general question about how to best transition from
one chord to the next chord.

I had started another topic here a few days about how to finger a G
major open chord after playing an open D7 chord.

Yesterday evening I was practicing switching back and forth between
the chords in question, and I decided to try one of the suggestions on
the other aforementioned topic in question. So, after playing the
open D7 chord using the fingering 1,2,3

...I then played the G major open chord with a 1,2,4 fingering. I
thought it was a smooth transition. I held down the G note (1st
string, 3rd fret) with the 4th finger and then moved the other two
fingers up to the 1st and 2nd strings to press down the notes. It
seemed easier to do ( in getting all the notes to sound) than doing it
the other opposite way.

By that I mean.....

A lot of times when I used to practice moving from open D7 (or Dminor
or D) to the G chord, when I lift my fingers off the fretboard so as
to move to the G, as I would move into the new chord position by
placing the two fingers first(1,2) on the frets, then press the 3rd or
4th finger down LAST.

However, it seems be doing it the other way, by placing the 4th or 3rd
finger first on the 1st string, 3rd fret "G" note in such a
transition, it in effect is kind of like an "anchor" as you move the
rest of the shape up with the other fingers to form the chord.

At the moment, I'm practicing moving from the F major chord (not the
full barre, the small F) to the open G major.

As I move from the F to the G, as the fingers are moving into place to
form the "G" after coming from F, does it matter which finger I press
down on the fret board first? Does it matter?

It would seem ... . fr om what I learned form the transition from open
D7 to the G, it would actually be better to touch down the 1st string
3rd fret with the 4th first then move the other fingers up. It's all
one quick motion of course,.... I'm new to the guitar, but am I on
the right track or am I missing the forest for the trees and reading
too much into things that don't matter?

. thanks,
tysteel

Re: chord transitioning


"tysteel" <tysteel3000@aol . com > wrote in message
news:7a5f346d-99e0-45f9-80c6-b76c04e077da@q24g2000prf.googlegroups . com ...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'd like to ask a general question about how to best transition from
> one chord to the next chord.
>
> I had started another topic here a few days about how to finger a G
> major open chord after playing an open D7 chord.
>
> Yesterday evening I was practicing switching back and forth between
> the chords in question, and I decided to try one of the suggestions on
> the other aforementioned topic in question. So, after playing the
> open D7 chord using the fingering 1,2,3
>
> ...I then played the G major open chord with a 1,2,4 fingering. I
> thought it was a smooth transition. I held down the G note (1st
> string, 3rd fret) with the 4th finger and then moved the other two
> fingers up to the 1st and 2nd strings to press down the notes. It
> seemed easier to do ( in getting all the notes to sound) than doing it
> the other opposite way.
>
> By that I mean.....
>
> A lot of times when I used to practice moving from open D7 (or Dminor
> or D) to the G chord, when I lift my fingers off the fretboard so as
> to move to the G, as I would move into the new chord position by
> placing the two fingers first(1,2) on the frets, then press the 3rd or
> 4th finger down LAST.
>
> However, it seems be doing it the other way, by placing the 4th or 3rd
> finger first on the 1st string, 3rd fret "G" note in such a
> transition, it in effect is kind of like an "anchor" as you move the
> rest of the shape up with the other fingers to form the chord.
>
> At the moment, I'm practicing moving from the F major chord (not the
> full barre, the small F) to the open G major.
>
> As I move from the F to the G, as the fingers are moving into place to
> form the "G" after coming from F, does it matter which finger I press
> down on the fret board first? Does it matter?
>
> It would seem ... . fr om what I learned form the transition from open
> D7 to the G, it would actually be better to touch down the 1st string
> 3rd fret with the 4th first then move the other fingers up. It's all
> one quick motion of course,.... I'm new to the guitar, but am I on
> the right track or am I missing the forest for the trees and reading
> too much into things that don't matter?
>
> . thanks,
> tysteel

Start out slowly to train your fingers. It will gradually get easier. The
way you do it will change with practice

Bob

Re: chord transitioning

On Thu, 01 May 2008 19:50:51 -0700, tysteel wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
> I'd like to ask a general question about how to best transition from one
> chord to the next chord.

Hang on to what you've already got and use good fingering. There are
priorities with fingering. If the melody happens to be on the top
string, playing G 324 to D7 213 is not a good move, because the 3rd
has to go from the bottom string to the top. If you are accompanying,
the bass line may be most important, but that usually is better if
it's somewhat detached anyway.

The reason G 214 to D7 213 is so good is that you can keep the 3rd
finger on the 1st string all the while. Someday it will be easy.

Ultimately, in chord practice you want all the changes, not just
the easy ones. You have formed an excellent habit, which is to think
what you are doing. Don't rely on habit to get the best fingering
in any particular case.

--
email: darnold4@cox . net (put "poisonal" anywhere in subject)
DGT: The very best technical exercises for all guitarists:
* w w w .openguitar . com /dynamic.html. Original easy solos at:
* w w w .openguitar . com . :::=={_o) David Raleigh Arnold

Re: chord transitioning

On May 1, 9:50 pm, tysteel <tysteel3...@aol . com > wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'd like to ask a general question about how to best transition from
> one chord to the next chord.

Rather than trying to do what ever is easiest or fastest find the
chord position that has the sound you want.
It may be a close transition or it may be 8 frets up the neck.
The changing from chord to chord may seem difficult at first but spend
an hour or so per night playing the song.
It will become as natural as breathing.
Don't put limits on yourself, just practice a lot.

Pt

Re: chord transitioning

Pt wrote:

> Rather than trying to do what ever is easiest or fastest find the
> chord position that has the sound you want.
> It may be a close transition or it may be 8 frets up the neck.
> The changing from chord to chord may seem difficult at first but spend
> an hour or so per night playing the song.
> It will become as natural as breathing.
> Don't put limits on yourself, just practice a lot.
>

I agree with Pt. The only difference between your chording and your
favorite player is practice.

When you run across a tricky transition, just slow down, and hold the
chord for a few seconds, then slowly move to the next chord, noting
where fingers go.

Do this a number of times until it gets smoother. Thing is, you will
see many of the same moves over times in other tunes, so taking the
time to get them down one at a time will pay off big later.

You want to get to where you pull all fingers up at once, and put them
all down at once. This sort of smooth chording is one of the subtle
differences between a average and a good player imo.

Re: chord transitioning

Derek wrote:
> ... The only difference between your chording and your
> favorite player is practice.

But what about those players with that natural,
inborn, chord transitioning talent? How can I
be expected to compete with them?

It is a competition, right?


Lumpy

In Your Ears for 40 Years
w w w .LumpyMusic . com

Re: chord transitioning

Lumpy expounded in news:688l75F2pqfffU1@mid.individual . net :

> Derek wrote:
>> ... The only difference between your chording and your
>> favorite player is practice.
>
> But what about those players with that natural,
> inborn, chord transitioning talent? How can I
> be expected to compete with them?
>
> It is a competition, right?
>
> Lumpy

Baby oil helps with the chord transitions ;-)

Snark.
** Posted from * w w w .teranews . com **

Re: chord transitioning

On May 5, 7:41 am, Derek <de...@ycoaoffice . com > wrote:
>  Pt  wrote:
> > Rather than trying to do what ever is easiest or fastest find the
> >chordposition that has the sound you want.
> > It may be a close transition or it may be 8 frets up the neck.
> > The changing fromchordtochordmay seem difficult at first but spend
> > an hour or so per night playing the song.
> > It will become as natural as breathing.
> > Don't put limits on yourself, just practice a lot.
>
> I agree with Pt.  The only difference between your chording and your
> favorite player is practice.
>
> When you run across a tricky transition, just slow down, and hold thechord=
for a few seconds, then slowly move to the nextchord, noting
> where fingers go.
>
> Do this a number of times until it gets smoother.  Thing is, you will
> see many of the same moves over times in other tunes, so taking the
> time to get them down one at a time will pay off big later.
>
> You want to get to where you pull all fingers up at once, and put them
> all down at once.  This sort of smooth chording is one of the subtle
> differences between a average and a good player imo.

Thank you for the response, and thank you to others who have taken
time to respond as well.

I think what I really meant wanted to ask, though I didn't compose my
thoughts as well as I should've in my opening post, was this:

For instance, if you were playing a D major open chord, and then were
moving to a G major open chord .....

As you lift your fingers off the D major open chord on the fretboard
to move to the G, is it a good idea.....as your fingers are above the
fretboard and moving into the G chord shape to land, to place one
particular finger down first with the other fingers following?

Usually, when I make a chord change from D chord to G chord, as I lift
my fingers off the fretboard after playing D and move into G, I
naturally tend to place my stronger fingers down first (1,2) on the
6th string (3rd fret) and 5th string (2nd fret), with the weaker
finger (3 or 4) coming down last on the 1st string (3rd fret) to
complete the G chord.

The main thing I was really wondering is if most players (or more
experienced players than I) who are moving from D to G would find it
more preferable (or think it's more economy of movement) to do the
reverse when shifting those chords by putting down the 3rd or 4th
finger down FIRST on the 1st string (3rd fret) and then holding that
note down (almost like an anchor) moving the other two fingers up
(1,2) up to the 5th string (2nd fret) and 6th string (1st fret) to
complete the G chord after moving from the D.

I was just wondering if that is really a better of preferable way of
making that chord change, instead of following my natural inclination
of placing the stronger fingers down first and letting the others
follow behind.

My guess is that there isn't anything wrong with what I'm doing now,
unless if more experienced players recommend that I practice it the
reverse way.

thanks...
tysteel

Re: chord transitioning

Lumpinator wrote:

>But what about those players with that natural,
>inborn, chord transitioning talent? How can I
>be expected to compete with them?

>It is a competition, right?

Yes it is. And if you are going to stay competitive, I highly
recommend the dazzling video lessons of noted guitar guru Desi Serna.

Ever since I started using Master Desi's approach, not only do I
switch chords faster, but the hair on my head began to regrow, and I
find it much easier to lose weight.

Re: chord transitioning

On Mon, 5 May 2008 11:00:12 -0700 (PDT), Derek <derek@ycoaoffice . com > wrote:

>Lumpinator wrote:
>
>>But what about those players with that natural,
>>inborn, chord transitioning talent? How can I
>>be expected to compete with them?
>
>>It is a competition, right?
>
>Yes it is. And if you are going to stay competitive, I highly
>recommend the dazzling video lessons of noted guitar guru Desi Serna.
>
>Ever since I started using Master Desi's approach, not only do I
>switch chords faster, but the hair on my head began to regrow, and I
>find it much easier to lose weight.


It enhanced my malehood too. Comes in handy after the gig, which is why all us
fifty-somethings are stil playing, right?

Re: chord transitioning

tysteel wrote:
[snip everything]

ty - When you change from one chord to another,
within whatever song you're playing,
how does it sound?

Watch closely -

"How does it sound?"
"How does it sound?"
"How does it sound?"

That's the only criteria that counts.
Put down one finger, 11 fingers, singly,
as a block, whatever it takes
TO MAKE THIS PART OF THE SONG WORK.

Then next week, when you're working on a different
song, and the same chord change comes up, try it
first the same way you did it in this song. Maybe
that will be ideal. Maybe you'll want to modify that
a little bit. Maybe you'll want to change it entirely.

Don't get locked into questioning yourself with
"is this technique corrrect". That is guaranteed
to prove you wrong every single time. Because no
matter what you can come up with, what I can come
up with, what DRA can come up with, there will be
thousands of people that come up with something
different. And each one of the techniques will
work. They might even work for each other.

But the only place it needs to work is with YOU
and THE SONG YOU'RE PLAYING. Someone, somewhere will
have absolute proof that your style is 100% wrong
and guaranteed to send you to guitar hell.

You are playing correctly.
Now how does it sound?


Lumpy

In Your Ears for 40 Years
w w w .LumpyMusic . com