Building a Chord Repertoire

Building the Chord Arsenal

Now we’re going to learn some more chords to continue building your repertoire of chord knowledge. With each of the new chords we’re about to learn, keep in mind the rules in Chapter 8 of successfully playing a chord. Once you have your finger strength built up from the chords you learn in this lesson, I highly encourage you to download the Master Chord List for you to have as you continue your guitar playing journey.

Chord Switching Tips

When switching between chords, you want your fingers to move as little as possible, much like the philosophy of picking. The less movement, the less your hand has to work, which allows you to play more efficiently regarding speed, technique, and feel. If there’s a finger that can stay on the same note when you switch to another chord, be sure to leave that finger where it is. This will help you transition smoothly from chord to chord. In the example images below, notice how my middle finger does not move when switching between the A chord and the C chord.

Economy of movement is key, so try not to remove your entire hand from the guitar neck when switching between chords; keep your hand as close to the guitar neck as possible at all times. This type of easy switching isn’t always going to be an option depending on what chords you’re playing, but it’s important to look for these little shortcuts where you can.