The biggest challenge facing beginning guitarists is the question of how to improve the speed and accuracy of chord changes. How do the fingers move as a unit? Which finger moves first? The truth is, a kind of organization is involved with each chord change, and one can cultivate that skill.
One of the most useful techniques is the use of “guide fingers.” A guide finger is a finger, for example the third or ring finger of the fretting hand, that is used in both of the chords in a chord change, on the same string. The guide finger slides along the string from the fret of one chord to the other, maintaining contact with the string that it has in common with both chords. The song “Wild Thing” is excellent for learning this technique because it uses two different guide fingers in the main sequence, the third finger and the index or first finger. A very simple arrangement of the song is in the tab below. But it’s most important to learn the basic changes of the verse and incorporate the guide finger technique.
“Wild Thing” starts on the chord A major and then changes to the chord D major. Play A in the old fashioned way, the one-two-three fingering shown below and in the video. The third finger slides up and along the B string from the note C# at the second fret to the note D at the third fret. Maintaining contact with the B string saves time (the third finger doesn’t have to find the string of the new chord, just the fret – and it’s going directly there via the shortest possible route), and adds organization to the complex movement needed to change chords.
There are actually three moves that have to be executed for a guide finger chord change. It may seem like a lot, but in the end, when all the parts of the hand are moving at the same time, it will save a lot of time and work. First, lift the non-guide fingers, ie the first and second fingers. This frees up the motion of the hand itself and gets the fingers on their way to their new positions in the D chord. Next, slide the guide finger up to its new position at the third fret on the B string, maintaining contact but not pressing on the string. Finally, place the first and second fingers in their new positions on the D chord. You must also practice the change in the opposite direction, from D to A.
Use the same strategy when changing from the D to the E major chord. Pick up the second and third fingers from the D chord, then slide the first finger along the G string into place at the first fret for the E chord. Then place the second and third fingers into their respective positions in the E chord.
The rhythm pattern for the song is perfect for adding a little urgency to the situation. Practice very slowly at first, without rhythm. Then gradually increase the tempo and add rhythm, and keep the right hand moving if possible, mistakes and all. Remember, the right hand dictates the rhythm and therefore the timing within which the left hand must move. Don’t let the left hand slow things down. It has to hustle!
Notes on the chart/tab: The main chord change goes three times plus an incomplete third time where it transitions to the break. Beware the repeat sign! For the break, just take your fingers off the A chord and use the open B, G and D stings to form a G chord with A in the bass. This alternates with the A chord (see tab). Good luck and have fun!
-Christian Botta
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Chris Botta
Posted by: On Practicing Guitar | 06/21/2017 at 08:31 PM