[Lesson] How to Practice Chord Progressions: Simplified

A common struggle I see with beginner students is switching chords in time. When they’re playing one chord and strumming it’s good. But the transition to the next chord is awkward, clunky, and the groove usually stops. “Just practice it a bunch” is not a solution. 

So how do we practice in a way that fixes this problem? 

Try the process below. It’s a simple and effective way to work on changing chords.

Play with a metronome. The tempo is whatever it takes to play it correctly. It might be slower than you think. 

The point of this exercise is to play each chord on the downbeat. Don’t worry so much about the strumming pattern. You are training your ear and hand to hear and play in time. 

Step 1:

Play Chord 1 for two measures and rest for one measure. During the rest measure, position yourself to play Chord 2 right on beat one for two measures. Rest again for one measure before playing Chord 1. Repeat until it’s too easy.

||: G / / / | / / / / | Rest 2 3 4 | D / / / | / / / / | Rest 2 3 4 :||

When you can cleanly switch chords with 4 beats of rest, drop a beat of rest. Only rest for 3 beats. 

Step 2:

||: G / / / | / / / / | Rest 2 3 | D / / / | / / / / | Rest 2 3 :||

When you can cleanly switch chords with 3 beats of rest, drop to 2 beats of rest. 

Step 3:

||: G / / / | / / / / | Rest 2 | D / / / | / / / / | Rest 2 :||

2 beats is too easy? Repeat the process with 1 beat of rest. 

Step 4:

||: G / / / | / / / / | Rest | D / / / | / / / / | Rest :||

1 beat is too easy? Move on to the final step!

Step 5:

Now we’re in the final form of the process. Play the progression without a rest measure.

||: G / / / | / / / / | D / / / | / / / / :||

Congrats! You’re probably way better at switching chords now. 

I hope this was helpful and simplified some things for you. Now go practice!

Still confused or have questions about something else? I’m available for private lessons. Email me at briangalavizmusic@gmail.com and let’s play some music!

Brian Galaviz briangalavizmusic@gmail.com briangalavizmusic.com