Em to D advice please

[dblinden]

Here’s an out of the box approach:
As you’ve spent a lot of time practicing this chord change, your brain is learning, but you’re not seeing the results yet. Switch for one week, play a D7 chord instead. It will still sound good and might be easier to nail since you’re kind of leading with your index finger. After a week or more, return to the regular D chord that was a challenge. I would bet that you find it easier to get after the break. Many reasons why this happens in neural learning and motor performance.

[Dave999]

Try doing one minute changes but put your 3rd finger down first… feels kinda awkward at first. I had this problem with the G chord.

[theoldman66]

@Paul1234

Can anybody offer any advice that may help me in way of a specific finger exercise

Have you come across Justin’s lesson on Air Changes?

Air Changes (aspire to this!)

[Libitina]

Right now I simply would not worry , If you only started in March this year and it’s only just April. You should still be doing your OMC’s until you get to 60+ and it doesn’t matter how long you practice a single piece of music. You will get there, I play almost every piece every day when time permits. Give yourself time, lots more time.

R

[mattswain]

Whenever I’m learning a chord change I think about what needs to move where. For Em to D you have the first 2 fingers side by side. For these to become D they have to slide across the fretboard and until the 1st finger is on the G and the second finger keeps going to the high E. Finally the 3rd finger slots between them , just 1 fret across.
For me hitting the G string accurately is the key because the rest just follows

[Richard_close2u]

Paul - I addressed this exact same issue with these exact same two chords in a previous reply here:

Module 3 Practice

There are no anchor fingers for the changes: Am → Em Em → D You need to practice correct formation of the chords using chord perfect practice and you need to do one minute changes and you need to try air changes. Finding difficulty forming and changing between certain chords is a very common issue. It can be different chords for different people. Why not try a different approach too? To improve the formation of a chosen chord (let’s use E minor here): Hold your fingers near to but not t…

[brianlarsen]

@Paul1234

I just cannot get my 3rd finger onto the B string

If your main difficulty is the B string, try doing repeated E- D chord changes, with your index anchoring on the G string. That will train your other two fingers to go to the correct strings. When you have that pat, lift the anchor finger on the E so it becomes E minor?

[jjw]

@brianlarsen

anchoring on the A string.

on the G string?

BTW: this seems like an excellent idea!

[brianlarsen]

Haha, typo sorted
Good to see you’re still on the ball.
Cheers, Richard, have a good weekend

[Paul1234]

Hi Alexeyd,

Thanks for the advice and taking time out to help. Much appreciated.

Best Regards,
Paul

[Paul1234]

Hi ontime1969,

Some great advice thank you. Justins videos do make it easier and as you said yourself, there is not one for this song, unfortunately. Having said that, I suppose we all have to learn to learn without watching others eventually so in a way trying to learn by ourselves, working out things on our own is in a way a valuable lesson.

Best Regards,
Paul

[Paul1234]

Hi dblinden,

Yes, I see how you are thinking. From the suggestions given in this thread I will be adding quite a few things to my practice notes. Thank you for taking time out to help out. It is much appreciated.

Best Regards,
Paul

[Paul1234]

Hi dave999,

Thanks, I have added this to my exercise list. You are correct, it is awkward but even after a couple minutes practice it starts to come together. Thank you for taking time out to help.

Best Regards,
Paul

[Paul1234]

Hi theoldman66,

No I have not come across this…thanks! I have the finger gym and pinky workout as part of my exercises but never seen this so will take a look. Thanks again!

Best regards,
Paul

[Paul1234]

Hi Libitina,

Yep, even though I do lessons set out on the guitar app, I guess I have concentrated too much on this one song and trying to get there too quickly. A post earlier in this thread mentioned it is not about speed. Justin quite often mentions that to and I should really head that advice and will going forward. Thank you for taking time out to offer your advice.

Best Regards,
Paul

[Paul1234]

Hi mattswain,

Thank you for the advice. At the moment my 3rd finger feels like it is glued to my second finger. I will get there thanks to yours and many others help on this forum.

Best Regards,
Paul

[Paul1234]

Hi Richard_close2u,

Thank you Richard, that is very helpful. Sorry I did not spot this before. I am in work at mo but will take a read on returning home later. Many thanks.

Best Regards,
Paul

[Paul1234]

Hi brianlarsen,

I will add this to my exercise routine and give it a go. Thanks for taking time out to help out. It is much appreciated.

Best Regards,
Paul

[sairfingers]

Try practising with a capo up the neck, perhaps at fret 5. That way your fingers won’t have so far to move between changes. Then gradually move the capo back down the neck.

[jtoomeyj]

Yes! Use the 1 minute app that Justin has in the App Store….put that in your daily practice routine.