Beginners, if you find changing chords quickly and cleanly hard going, read on.

The first thing you should do is try to memorise the chord shapes you wish to play in a piece or exercise. Next you need to hold down each of those chord shapes as cleanly as possible so all the notes play and sound as they should. At first you may have to deliberately place each finger on the correct string and fret and repeat the process when the chord changes - which is quite normal - but in time, and once you can easily recall chord shapes from memory the basics of this process will become more natural to you and your concentration can then be more focussed on how well you play the chords.

So, starting with a couple of chords which you feel comfortable playing and have committed to memory, play one a few times and then repeat the process with the second chord, and then back again and again and... Whether you are strumming or fingerpicking with your right hand (left for left-handed players) try to ...

Another year is over - so welcome 2012. A HAPPY NEW YEAR to lovers of the guitar the world over.

Amidst all the doom and gloom, which is mostly what we hear about these days, here is something positive to think about:

If you keep practicing, trying and learning new material, embellishing old and creating new arrangements, you will be a better player by this time next year than you are today. In fact making the effort should be an easy resolution for you to create and to keep - and likely that will be a first for many of you!

To support you in 2012 I'll have new study material and articles plus this year should see the official introduction of Music PlayCharts providing fingerstyle arrangements to suit guitar players of varying ability and which will be available to everybody - not just to those taking lessons with me. To stay up with events please keep visiting, subscribe and stay in touch by submitting your comments and contact messages.

No matter what you play - HAVE FUN!

James

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