3 Tips to Memorize Beginner Guitar Chords
Do you have trouble playing beginner guitar chords? Maybe you blame your fingers for their lack of agility or speed, but the problem may well be elsewhere.
Problems playing chords on the guitar are often caused because your mind is unsure exactly where your fingers are going.
A solution for this problem is to thoroughly memorize the finger positions for the beginner guitar chords you play.
Aim to have a crystal clear picture of exactly where your fingers go that you can recall instantly.
Here are three ways you can improve your mind's picture and recall of the chord fingerings.
* Chord Flash Cards When I learned to read and spell as a kid we used flash cards.
These little cards had the words we learned printed on them and we'd go through the cards many times to learn the spellings.
You can use the same idea for beginner guitar chords.
Create some chord diagrams showing each chord's finger positions on small pieces of thin card.
Or you might like to use pictures of the chord fingering.
Carry the cards around in your pocket or wallet and use them regularly to review and memorize the chord fingering.
* Visualize Chords With your chord diagrams or from memory try to visualize yourself playing the chord.
Close your eyes and try to see your hand and fingers on your guitar neck.
At first you might find yourself distracted by other images, it will take a little practice to be able to hold the picture in your mind.
Work with a still image of the chord to start with.
As this gets easier try to see your fingers moving in to the chord shape, or changing from one shape to another.
* Cardboard Guitar Neck You might find visualization easier with a simple cardboard guitar neck.
All you need is a small rectangle to represent a part of a guitar neck, draw six strings and some frets on it.
You only need four frets to practice open chord positions, no need to carry a full size guitar neck.
Now you can carry your mini neck around and use it to practice chord shapes during the day.
This simple tool lets you really feel the movement and placement of your fingers.
All three of these techniques will help you improve your memory and recall of beginner guitar chord fingerings.
Pick the one that's most convenient for you, or use all three.
The mix of learning styles will make memorization easier, faster and better.
Problems playing chords on the guitar are often caused because your mind is unsure exactly where your fingers are going.
A solution for this problem is to thoroughly memorize the finger positions for the beginner guitar chords you play.
Aim to have a crystal clear picture of exactly where your fingers go that you can recall instantly.
Here are three ways you can improve your mind's picture and recall of the chord fingerings.
* Chord Flash Cards When I learned to read and spell as a kid we used flash cards.
These little cards had the words we learned printed on them and we'd go through the cards many times to learn the spellings.
You can use the same idea for beginner guitar chords.
Create some chord diagrams showing each chord's finger positions on small pieces of thin card.
Or you might like to use pictures of the chord fingering.
Carry the cards around in your pocket or wallet and use them regularly to review and memorize the chord fingering.
* Visualize Chords With your chord diagrams or from memory try to visualize yourself playing the chord.
Close your eyes and try to see your hand and fingers on your guitar neck.
At first you might find yourself distracted by other images, it will take a little practice to be able to hold the picture in your mind.
Work with a still image of the chord to start with.
As this gets easier try to see your fingers moving in to the chord shape, or changing from one shape to another.
* Cardboard Guitar Neck You might find visualization easier with a simple cardboard guitar neck.
All you need is a small rectangle to represent a part of a guitar neck, draw six strings and some frets on it.
You only need four frets to practice open chord positions, no need to carry a full size guitar neck.
Now you can carry your mini neck around and use it to practice chord shapes during the day.
This simple tool lets you really feel the movement and placement of your fingers.
All three of these techniques will help you improve your memory and recall of beginner guitar chord fingerings.
Pick the one that's most convenient for you, or use all three.
The mix of learning styles will make memorization easier, faster and better.
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