Beginner Guitar Lesson #3 - How to Change Chords

[MsMathslessons]

Thanks. Helped greatly!

[Nitro92k]

thx for all the videos. You helped me A LOT. I am grateful for them :)

thx TOM!

[tynosg]

hey men you look like phil dunphey from modern family hhahah

[TobyH365]

Your lessons are absolutely brilliant! Started yesterday, and I'm learning so quickly! Brilliant videos

[bitterman188]

this is extremely helpful. I have tiny fingers, so it seems EXTRA hard but this video is very helpful! thanks

[jtoro97]

I'm having difficulties on playing without muting strings, mostly the high E with my hand touching it. Any tips on how to get over this obstacle?

[NorthGamer123]

I picked up my acoustic guitar that have been lying around. (I'm actually a drummer) and I knew nothing about playing the guitar what so ever. I followed your lessons and could play a little in just a few hours. Inspired to learn it completely now :)

[TomFontana]

@NorthGamer123 Thats great, I'm glad to hear it! Keep at it!!

[nitinchandak29]

I am trying to learn switching from chords and its been pretty difficult. Hope your video helps :)

[Dziksav]

Hi. Umm, can u do a video on how to hold the guitar? :D

[maniacsurfer004]

Thank you

[callofcheese]

4 people blow chuncks out of life

[ForceRecon198]

Awesome! I just started today and I feel like I'm making real progress. I'm still pretty sloppy in my fingerings, I have pretty big hands, and I think I need to retune my guitar but all in all... I've got a good feeling about this. :)

[TomFontana]

@ForeverASwifty :-D

[xCowsCanFly]

i got calluses in a week! :)

and i love your lessons.

[TomFontana]

@xCowsCanFly :-) cool, keep it up!

[bazman3000]

My middle finger mutes the A string when I play a G chord. HELP ME!!!

[bazman3000]

@bazman3000 Never mind. Fixed it myself.



[fullfist]

@bazman3000 middle finger is a bitch for muting strings

[steveelb1]

somebody just asked me to teach him chords, i will just recommend you! Your lessons are great!!

[TomFontana]

@steveelb1 Thanks :-)

[the0Slayerking0]

Tom thanks youve been a huge help so far and i plan to stick with your lessons

[BigBang4Life1]

AHA i like how enthusiastic you are in your videos, you're a great teacher, thanx ^^

[BearDinosaur]

Thx Tom i was about to give up until i found this video ;D!

[lovinghorsemusic]

Thanks I'm working so hard

[The92Hotrod]

Knocking on heavens door ! Tune !!!!!!!!!

[striker2474]

thanx.........:)



[Admin591]

my fingers are to fat xD

[Paraspadez]

i have been playing guitar for months but i havent learnt my chords:P

[BraueDrums]

Oh my fr*ggen god! ..... 5 hours earlier.. I didn't even know a single chord or how to do anything.. Now... I can do the chord-changes and strumming.... F*cking thanks Tom! You have really helped me out! .... Gonna win that bet with my mom! (Learn to play guitar before end of summer!!)

[TomFontana]

@BraueDrums :-D

[BraueDrums]

@TomFontana It's really some great tutorials :-)

You should get paid for this, if you don't do already? ^^

[Amyisreallymad]

@BraueDrums no kidding. i started at 8:00 not knowing shit. now ..im fucking beast beacause of you. is it creepy to say i love you?

[fullfist]

@BraueDrums

did you win the bet?

[BraueDrums]

@fullfist

Well, she canceled it.. And now I've sold my guitar. I don't have guitar-fingers, so now I'm focusing on the drumming :-D

[BraueDrums]

Damn.. Got problems with placing my 2nd finger in the G-note... : / !! Got any tips on how to exactly press the strings and/or the 'power' I need to use, to NOT mute the string?

[marouaneandaly]

the best teacher !! ^_^

[BrooklynHudsonRnR]

You're like the best guitar teacher in the whole world! Thank you!

[TomFontana]

@BrooklynHudsonRnR Thanks! :-)

[meat999l]

is it the same on the acoustic?

[TomFontana]

@meat999l Yep, all of the techniques you see in these videos are the same for acoustic and electric.

[Dante13121]

thank you so much,prior to this video i was only playing the chords i knew slowly by themselves and had no idea how to make the transistions.30 minutes after seeing this and practicing I perfected them without any problems,no joke.

you are awesome

[Cherlz29]

my left hand turned sore from all the pressing. my fingers are already used to the soft piano keys.

[TomFontana]

@Cherlz29 Practice a lot, and they'll get used to the strings as well :-)

[Cherlz29]

@TomFontana Thanks! My fingers do not hurt anymore but I'm still struggling in changing chords. Anyways thank you for the vids!!!

[yondaime47Anayo]

hi TomFontana im a beginner. i can play song already but not using chord. i wanna to learn chord so im more professional. Do you have a yahoo or anything that i can contact to ask something? thnx

[mathphysto]

Tom, I have to add my thanks to those already stated. Your videos are outstanding. As a teacher myself, I really appreciate these as excellent learning aids; the clarity and careful scaffolding of difficulty from one video to the next makes the seemingly impossible goal of playing the guitar into a fun and do-able challenge. Thank you!!

[gunsnrosescovers]

Thanks for the Video

[gunsnrosescovers]

Awesome

[VoodooIrons]

" I usually recommend left handed people to learn the normal way as well," isn't the Normal way for a left hander to play "Normal"? .

Pretend to air guitar, if you strum with your right then you should probably learn the right handed way, if you strum left then you should learn lefty. There is no " Normal" way, if you force your self to learn a way that isn't comfortable to you, you will never get your full potential out of playing.

[msxoladyluckxo]

wow I've been looking all over for lessons like this! you my friend are an awesome teacher........this is very random but now that I'm practicing guitar I type faster! lol.

[2vanditk2]

How hard do we hold the pic?

[MRAA95]

1.my guitar doesn't sound nice !

what should i do about it ??

2. is yamaha f310 good for a beginner ?

[MrFreeDrugs]

What is the best guitar for beginners?

[RawrImmaNinjasaur]

@MrFreeDrugs Just get a cheaper guitar, I got a Squier Strat, and it was 200, with an amp, picks, and strap. Then when you get better get nicer and nicer guitars. :P

[MrFreeDrugs]

can you play the guitar the normal way even if your a left handed?

[TomFontana]

@MrFreeDrugs Yep, playing guitar is an acquired skill, so it's up to you which way you learn it. I usually recommend left handed people to learn the normal way as well, it just makes things easier.

[Wcarftw]

Thanks alot

[musicdude1000000]

thanks i finally learned how change my chords , i neglected to learn this until i actually needed it i was practicing the all the chords for like 2 hours

[truongcuppid]

so helpful1111

[twisterellafell]

beginner guitar lessons try guitarmanual.typepad.com/blog/

[guddu126126]

i love u tom

lots of love from india

[ramher89]

tom this is the best lessons ive ever had, i tried playing when i was 16 but gave up cause i couldnt understand..Finally found your videos on youtube then i bought a new acoustic..This is awesome and so helpful!! Thanks

[TomFontana]

@ramher89 Hey, glad you decided to pick up the guitar again, and that you're enjoying the lessons. Stick with it, practice a lot, and you'll improve at a steady pace. Practice is key!

[2lwa7esh]

tom i swear to god u made me play guitar!! i had my guitar for like 3 years.. i was like everytime i grab it i just get bored and drop it!! but when i watched ur lessons i started practicing so hard i`m on this video now i`m gonna continue watching u!! keep doin what u do ur the best teacher ever! good luck with ur life too i hope ur happy

[TomFontana]

@2lwa7esh Hey there, thanks for your letter, it's great to see you so excited and motivated. Keep it up!!

[Brolyofstartimes]

YOU ROCK

[bboyLeandroiD]

Hey Tom Fontana why diddnt you strum de E at the major C chord?

In the second lesson you said you should strum all strings? or doesnt it matter?

[TomFontana]

@bboyLeandroiD It matters! With the C, you don't strum the low E string, that string is not in the chord.

[bboyLeandroiD]

@TomFontana oke thanks than you put the wrong video in the second lesson that is where you strum all the strings at the major C, but thanks for your correction ^__^ those lessons are realy helpfull

[asthenia44lb]

Tom, you're the kindest guitar instructor I've found on the internet. I've owned and half arsedly tried to play guitars since I was 16 ... I'm 21 now and you're the first instructor I've found on the internet whose made me pick up my guitar and actually get to know it. Thank you!

[TomFontana]

@asthenia44lb Thank you very much, I'm glad I can help :-)

[fedexdonahue]

very descriptive, great instructor.

[ReplacedKitchenSink]

Thanks alot, great great tutorial

[moldy111]

the best teacher out their !

[doofusboyy]

Tom, you are the best guitar teacher ever! Your few videos have taught me way more than my guitar lessons and other youtube videos. Just saying thanks for all the help and good advice. I have a question though, whats the best way to change from a d chord to a c chord. i am always having trouble changing them

[momorkai]

Hi Tom, I had a question regarding the sound of electronic guitars (or maybe someone else will read this and answer it for me). Out of HSS and three single coil pickups, will the HSS provide a warmer tone when playing full chords? What will the single coils sound like? I'm out to buy a guitar but not sure which kind I should be looking for, but I'd like one with a nice warm tone. Thanks!

[TomFontana]

@momorkai Hi, I prefer humbuckers, but actually, getting different tones has a lot to do with the effects you use.

If you want a warm tone, add a chorus effect, reverb and delay on your amp, and use just the neck pickup. These will warm the tone of any guitar, but as I said, I prefer humbuckers, but a lot of people don't, so that part is subjective. Try a couple of different guitars at the guitar shop and see for yourself.

[momorkai]

@TomFontana Thanks for the help Tom! Is it possible to achieve a sound similar to an acoustic guitar without using any effects pedals?

[TomFontana]

@momorkai Thinking hard, but I would say no, I haven't come across anything that would make an amplified electric sound like an acoustic without any effects. But you can get fully functional digital multieffects pedals for around $60, like the zoom g1. You won't be performing live with it, but its more than enough to fool around at home with.

[TomFontana]

@momorkai Thinking hard, but I would say no, I haven't come across anything that would make an amplified electric sound like an acoustic without any effects. But you can get fully functional digital multieffects pedals for around $60, like the zoom g1. You won't be performing live with it, but its more than enough to fool around at home with.

[TomFontana]

@momorkai Thinking hard, but I would say no, I haven't come across anything that would make an amplified electric sound like an acoustic without any effects. But you can get fully functional digital multieffects pedals for around $60, like the zoom g1. You won't be performing live with it, but its more than enough to fool around at home with.

[TomFontana]

@momorkai Thinking hard, but I would say no, I haven't come across anything that would make an amplified electric sound like an acoustic without any effects. But you can get fully functional digital multieffects pedals for around $60, like the zoom g1. You won't be performing live with it, but its more than enough to fool around at home with.

[TomFontana]

@momorkai Thinking hard, but I would say no, I haven't come across anything that would make an amplified electric sound like an acoustic without any effects. But you can get fully functional digital multieffects pedals for around $60, like the zoom g1. You won't be performing live with it, but its more than enough to fool around at home with.

[TomFontana]

@momorkai Thinking hard, but I would say no, I haven't come across anything that would make an amplified electric sound like an acoustic without any effects. But you can get fully functional digital multieffects pedals for around $60, like the zoom g1. You won't be performing live with it, but its more than enough to fool around at home with.

[worldgreatestfighter]

hahaha no offence dude, but u sound like kermit.. Eee muinurrr! haha sorry

[sobank]

dude you are great.

I have one question about changing chords while strumming. at exactly what point should I lift my fingers up to change chords. cause frankly my guitar makes horrible noise when i change chord while strumming but when you do it sounds so nice. Initially I thought it was the speed but my speed is ok. It just doesnt sound clean and smooth. help me please.

[TomFontana]

@sobank Well, it depends on the rhythm of the song. If there is a beat skipped right before the new chord, than obviously during that beat.

If not, you can do a ghost strum, where your chord change will need to last 1 strum (either an up or down right before the next chord), and during that strum, you're not really holding down any strings, you'll be strumming open strings while moving to the next chord.

Try it, get the timing right, and it'll sound cool.

[mineymouse367]

@TomFontana yea inhvae the same proablem nd i cant move my finers or my guitar likes to make this ringing noise and how do i make sure its tuned correctly cuz mine sounds untuned but  i just tuned it

[Crazysk8erzzgirl]

me too....it's so hard to change....any advise????...except practise

[MrR0ck3r]

Buy an ibanze guitar. They are great quality low priced guitars and perform amazing.

[InnovativeAwesome]

Your videos are an extremely good help to new guitarists like myself. I am looking to upgrade to a new guitar and I can't seem to find a good guitar for a good price that a teenager can buy for about $350-400, what guitar do you reccommend?

[archihere]

Hi Tom..I have been trying to learn playing guitar on my own..I am stuck with changing the chords..which as you said truly is so challenging it looks as if I will never be able to learn.

Your lessons are such a help...I think I will pick up soon.

Thanks for all your time and the good work.

[TomFontana]

@archihere My please! Stick with it, practice every day, and you'll see that the chord changes that seem difficult today will become easier and easier with each day of practice.

[pornographicpeter]

Tom you are the best! Just want to show you my appreciation on behalf of everyone who has watched your videos! The best lessons on youtube by a million miles! Thanks a bundle!

[RyCharMan]

Is it normal to strum while you are in the middle of switching chords? Doesn't sound right for me.

[The202Tube]

hi great VIDs :)

i need help i can change chords from A MINOR to C MAJOR but i can't change from G MAJOR TO D MAJOR TO C MAJOR every time something go wrong sometimes i put my fingers in the right position but the sound come out strange :(

plz help

[TomFontana]

@The202Tube You just need to practice the changes that aren't sounding right. Move you fingers slowly at first, and make sure you're on the right strings, and your fingers aren't touching any unwanted strings by accident.

The chord changes you describe are a bit harder at first, since you're moving all of your fingers to new strings and frets. Just stick with it, practice them every day for a couple of minutes, and you'll have it in 1-2 weeks.

[The202Tube]

@TomFontana thx that was very helpful :D

[grf19]

i cant do it!

[grf19]

great vids

[brimis820]

Tom, excellent instructional video. I've been practicing guitar for one year now and my greatest downfall was wanting to play a song first before learning chord progression., what a mistake. I've dropped playing songs and now practice chord progression. In my eyes, I've lost a year and at 50, I may not have many years left. Thanks for the confidence!

[TomFontana]

Hi, yeah, you need to be comfortable with the basics before you can start playing songs. But once you finish lesson 4, and can do the things I teach you up to that point, you can start playing songs already.

How much time did you devote to practicing the songs you've been wanting to play?

[brimis820]

Well, during the first year I would put the percentage right around 60 % song playing and 40 % practicing guitar scales and basic chords. I devoted virtually no time to chord progression, hence the reason I still can't play an entire song. I can say in the short time I've been viewing your videos, my chord progression is beginning to get a bit better. I need to focus on video #3 before viewing #4, I don't want to get ahead of myself. I'll keep you posted.

[kingelnino9]

@brimis820 I'm just starting learning Guitar, I'm exactly the same, trying to play songs straight away. It's all about the chords for me now though.

[dutchcruise]

You're a great teacher. You seem enthusiastic about what you say and i comes across as comfortable. I will continue to follow this series for sure. Thanks for posting! Great Job!

[writeDVD]

I was told to change the bass note first, not the first finger, so I can pick and strum.

[TomFontana]

I prefer to give beginners a firm anchor to change around, since with time, you will develop your hands muscle memory, and it will automatically form the chord shape without thinking about it.

So to make it short, basically I've found that using the first finger anchor concept is the most beneficial for beginners.

[orxan155]

how many days should we practice these?? P.S. these videos are awesome..can't wait for the first song :))

i will suggest you to my friends who wants to learn guitar ;))

[TomFontana]

Thanks :-)

Practice everything you learn as much as you can, until you start getting it right most of the time. Once this happens, you can move on to learning songs, which get you practicing even more!

[MavenDawn]

Actually I suggest blocking when peoples fingers start hurting, especially if they want to go on XD

Blocking is when you form the chord, but don't press downand play.

[MegaSharprazor]

my hand is start to get hard...is this a good thing?

[TomFontana]

Yes, you are referring to calluses developing on your fingertips. It means 2 things:

1. You are practicing enough :-)

2. Your fingers won't hurt as much from fretting the strings.

[anuj1402]

sr i wanna know 1thng which r the mostly used chord which r used in songs...bcoz i wanna make a set of chord nd then wanna switch them separatly aftr then join all them

[anuj1402]

sr u r awesome...fantastic ..i m just beginner here frm INDIA....i know nthng is HARD bt demands practice..so from nw u r my 1st GUITAR TEACHER..nd u vl b vry respected to me

[seanerrs]

i keep muting strings because my hands are to small

[TomFontana]

No they're not, your fingers just have to get used to the guitar and fretting the strings properly.

A lot of beginners think this (or the reverse, that their hands are too big), but trust me, stick with it, practice, and you'll be getting better each day. I've seen several 11 year old kids playing really complicated songs, now their hands are really small, but they get along fine.

You will too, just work at it.

[TomFontana]

Thats great, glad to have helped :-)

[mattsides734]

Amazing job, I have had a guitar for 3 years and never tried to learn but always wanted to, and i would have kept on not learning if i never found these videos. Thanks

[TomFontana]

My pleasure, I'm glad I could help :-) Enjoy!

[TheTooobbbyyy]

nice video. I've just bought a guitar, but if i playing a while, mine fingers hurt... do i just need to get used to it?

[TomFontana]

Yes, you'll start developing calluses soon, and you won't feel a thing afterwards.

[mszchiieqcc]

excellent video! thank you and i hope you'll continue to help us whose dying to learn how to be as great as you at playing a guitar. :D

[whiplashT87]

these videos are very good, you do an excellent job at it, Ive learned a lot! thanks for making videos man

[JAYROX1969]

Great lesson but i prefer the alternate way of playing the G chord with 3 fingers.

[dnsd99]

every time i'm changing between chords...it keeps on making a "screeching" noise. I've tried lifting my fingers slightly but it does nothing...i have no idea how to fix it

please help me

[TomFontana]

I'm guessing the "screeching" noise is the noise made by your fingers when you move them along the surface of the strings. This is not a problem, listen to some popular songs on youtube and you'll see that many of them have it as well. Thats just the way the guitar is.

It has a lot to do with your guitar strings, so if it really bothers you, get some new strings. (Jazz musicians use flat wound strings, which make almost no screeching noise, but sound different than traditional ones.)

[9spacko2]

i agree this was really well done

[muntheraqel]

man this lesson must get 10 stars :p

[PureNecessity]

Yeah we all have our problems with chord changes as newbies. I'm really struggling to speed to pace up with the GDC one and some times when I hold down the G chord it maes a blunt sound because im holding more than 1 string with 1 finger :(

[TomFontana]

Just keep at it, and remember that the "ghost strum" is your friend :-) By ghost strum, I mean the fake strum in your strumming pattern, where you're not really (or just slightly) holding down the strings during the chord change, but still hitting the strings to keep your rhythm going. That comes in lesson 4 though, so watch that one as well.

[clesz26]

a learned a lot from u sir.. i switch chords bow faster and easily but i still have a problem.. in the chords like Bm,C#m.. any chords that i need to flat all the strings with one finger only..sometimes the chords that i flat didnt sound.. but if i press harder my chords switching became poor... can u help me sir??

[TomFontana]

I think you're talking about barre chords, I have a lesson on that, it's lesson 7 of the series, check it out.

[chathikagunaratne]

The hardest part for me is switching from c major to g major at the end.

[TomFontana]

Yeah, it's hard in the beginning, but you'll see that it'll get easier with each day of practice.

[chathikagunaratne]

Wow. Your lessons are great. I'm really improving. Thanks a lot Tom!

[TomFontana]

My pleasure!

Keep on practicing :-)

[WesFR]

Thanks. Still having a lot of trouble with it, especially because I'm really bad at putting my fingers down correctly when changing the chords.

Then again I've only been playing for six days.

[TomFontana]

It's totally natural after 6 days, be patient, just practice them everyday and it'll come with time.

You'll see that these chords will seem easy a month from now, just keep at it!

[ashjt]

thx that helps a lot!