Lesson 4 – Changing Chords Smoothly
In this lesson you'll take the first open chords you learned in Lesson 3 and focus on moving between them smoothly. Speed doesn't matter here – comfort and control come first. We'll use the LLGS (Low Load Guitar System) idea of thinking of your hand as one relaxed shape instead of moving each finger one at a time.
How to Use This Lesson
This lesson assumes you already worked through Lesson 3 and can form the basic shapes for E minor, A major and D major. Rather than rebuilding each chord step by step, the video focuses on movement: keeping your hand relaxed, moving as a group, and letting each chord shape settle naturally before you strum.
Follow along at your own tempo. If a chord doesn't sound clean, don't stop – keep moving slowly and comfortably. Clean sound comes with time, not pressure.
Need Help With the Chord Shapes?
If any of the individual shapes still feel confusing or your fingers are not sure where to go, that is completely normal. Simply step back for a moment:
- Re-watch Lesson 3 – First Open Chords for a slow, step-by-step build of each chord.
- Visit the Chord Library for clear diagrams of E minor, A major and D major.
- If you need a quick reminder on how the LLGS diagrams work, check the Diagram Reference Guide.
Once the shapes feel familiar again, come back to this lesson and focus on the smooth transitions.
Practice Ideas
Here are a few simple ways to practice what you see in the video:
- Slowly move between two chords at a time (for example E minor → A major), watching that your hand moves as one relaxed unit.
- Loop a three-chord pattern such as E minor → A major → D major at a very slow tempo. Only speed up when it feels easy.
- Keep your fingers close to the strings so every change requires as little motion as possible.
- Play in short, relaxed sessions – 5 to 10 minutes a day is plenty to see progress with smooth chord changing.
Next Steps
When you feel comfortable changing between your first chords at a slow, relaxed pace, you're ready to add rhythm and strumming patterns in the next lesson.
← Back to Lesson 3 – First Open Chords | Go to Lesson 5 – Strumming Patterns & Basic Rhythm → | Back to Lesson Library