Chord changes - most efficient way to practice them?

I have been having difficulty with practicing chord changes such as Milonga by J. Cardoso. Chord changes are definitely a challenge for me. How to overcome them in the most efficient way?

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  • Martin Zimny had an interesting lesson on something that wasn't about chord changes, but he does discuss some approaches to efficient learning of chord shapes.  This was at least 2 years ago, and I *think* the lesson was on Villa Lobos Etude 3, but I might be making that up.   

    Also Lukasz Kuropaczewski has a new lesson on practice approaches.  you'll get some good things from that one. 

    Lots of teachers could talk at length about ways to practice chord changes.   there are so many principles to approach it well.   

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  • The new course on practice by Łukasz Kuropaczewski is probably an excellent approach to practice progressively chord changes.

     

    https://app.tonebase.co/guitar/courses/player/lukasz-kuropaczewski-practice-principles?moduleSlug=lukasz-kuropaczewski-practice-principles

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    • Stefano
    • Stefano.2
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Having in my youth used the guitar only to accompany songs, when I approached classical guitar a couple of years ago I tended to change chords even when the strings were not played all at once. Then I realized that I can move my fingers one at a time as the individual strings are played. I write this because I, too, try to play that magnificent piece that is Cardoso's Milonga and in doing so I adjust as I have written.

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  • Although I'm not sure if there's a lesson exclusively on chord changes, there are lessons on techniques and on pieces that touch on chord changes. I can think of one lesson that talks about shifts- Gael Solal' lesson on Carlevaro techniques.

    I'm no expert but here's a few things I learnt.

    1. Fingering choices are very important and can have an influence on the ease of shifting from one chord to another.

    2. Use of guide fingers or ghost fingers whenever possible instead of jumping directly by lifting all fingers.

    3. Sequential planting of LH fingers, instead of planting them all at once, especially on arpeggios.

    Hope that helps and good luck.

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    • Georg
    • Georg
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Perhaps this will help you:
    First practice each chord separately- find a good fingering for the chord, play it 2 or 3 times, then remove your hand from the fingerboard, let the arm fall and relax for a few seconds
    Repeat this 5 to 7 times
    When you have mastered the first chord do the same with the next chord
    Remember to relax your arm and fingers for a few seconds
    Next play the first chord, let your arm fall, relax and then play the second chord
    Repeat this 5 to 7 times
    Next fetch your metronome 😉
    Count four beats
    Play each chord ONLY on the first beat, not earlier, not later
    The sound between is not important, concentrate on playing on the first beat
    If you have mastered this you may count 3, 2 or 1 beats, playing only on the first beat

    Voilá
    Good luck

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