I can’t make the switches fast enough to keep up w the basic songs at the level i’m learning.
Then you need to slow down. It’s better to play accurately at a slower tempo than to play fast but sloppy. On YouTube, you can slow the songs down but they stay in the correct pitch. There are also apps available that can do that to songs you may already have downloaded. I’m sure someone will be along to recommend such an app.
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As @markr31 says or simply you need to do more chord change practice sessions.
Please know that many of us have been where you are now. It’s hard at the start. You do the chord change exercises ok and then try to change chords in time with a song and find it’s not so easy. The other approach is literally just strum the first chord of each bar and then change ready for the next bar. Yes, it sounds super basic and doesn’t really feel like you’re playing guitar but keep practicing each day and it does get easier
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I do the chord change exercises for the particular chord changes I am having trouble with in the the songs.
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Don’t worry, I think that’s just part of learning guitar! Figure out what chord changes you’ll need for the song you’re learning and just keep practicing the one minute changes and perfect one minute changes exercises.
Another thing that helps me is slowing down the song to a tempo I’m comfortable hitting the changes at, then increasing the speed until I can play the song at a normal pace.
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am there, doing that…
If you’re playing along on YouTube, you can slow down here:
The ability to slow down on the JustinApp I use all the time.
UltimateGuitar can slow it down for you (though requires a subscription)
If you’re on a Mac, GarageBand (free from the App store) requires a few more steps.
And, there is always just the metronome. SLow it down and play to the tic.
It will get easier and more fluid, it will–it just feels ponderously slow in the beginning…
(hint: record yourself this week, playback next week–bet you’ve already improved 
)
Cheers,
Bruce
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This is useful, but I’ve found that the 25% increments are usually too big (although I think on some platforms the YouTube app allows smaller increments).
The Justin app is much better…you can bump up 10% at a time.
And Moises gives the finest control…1 BPM. Sometimes that’s the best way…tiny increments in tempo over several days of practice.
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Yeah, on the YouTube app on a phone or tablet it only allows 25% steps, which isn’t very helpful. I use my laptop and a Firefox browser. That allows using the little custom slider pictured above, which makes adjustments in 5% increments.
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I’m a fan of a metronome for getting quicker. Start slow, speed up. When things start falling apart, slow it down to where I was solid. Play there for a bit, speed up again, if it’s still not going well then work out what’s going wrong. It could be your fretting hand, or your strumming hand.
Some people find metronomes boring, and find drum machines work better for them. I’d suggest trying with the metronome as there isn’t really any where to hide with it - it’s more obvious whether you are in time or not. (Though I have to confess that for a syncopated jazz tune I was learning on piano, I did ask my son to record drums for me at a couple of different tempos as I struggle with syncopation and a metronome).
At some point you have to switch to playing the song. That could be when you have worked up the song tempo with the metronome or drum machine, or you could use one of the apps that let’s you play at a slower speed, and that lets you loop sections.
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Everyone is right about practicing slowly but as well as that, those ‘One Minute Changes’ Justin recommends were a lifesaver in getting me to be able to switch chords easily. Pick two chords you’re struggling with and give it a go. Then try again with one of the chords you’ve just practiced and a second chord. After a while it just becomes automatic and you don’t need to think about it any more. Then you can focus on other parts of the song, which makes everything so much easier.
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One minute changes as @Dweebs12 to get the chords changing down between your basic chords. Then absolutly use a metronome as, …(omg I’m going to say it) Simon says 
As a matter of fact I just got a vintage seth thomas metronome in the mail. I Love these old ones. I have a cool fancy one also, but something about these old school ones are nice.
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Thanks for the feedback y’all!!!
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By using the “Custom” slider, you can drop down to ±5% increments
(my current favorite Youtube guitar team of Josh Turner & Carson McKee: https://youtu.be/3q7crp4mp8o)
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I don’t know if this option (the slider) is new but I’ve just checked and it’s there on the iPad app so definitely something I will use in the future. As others have said, the 25% increments were largely useless for learning guitar but 5% is much better. Thanks for highlighting this
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It’s not on mine… Still just seeing the 25% increments. Maybe the feature varies by region? I’m up-to-date on both iPadOS and YouTube versions.
Some really great advice here; yeah, slow it down, use a metronome or other time keeping device such as a drum track, and have fun with it. When it gets frustrating, I either put it down and come back to it, or do something else I am good at on guitar. I always end a practice session with something I’m good at, not just get frustrated and put it away. If I do that, I’ll focus on all I did wrong for a while instead of all I did right. Record yourself too, video and audio. Replay it, save it, watch what you’re doing, correct, and have fun. A month later, record the same song again and compare it to the previous one. You’ll be amazed, guaranteed. Nothing wrong with slowing a song down either when you’re playing it. Sometimes it sounds even nicer than the fast version. I sometimes skip a strum at the end of a measure, or beginning as well, to give myself time to catch up. Think about making it happen, not about screwing it up helps me too. Don’t be afraid to post videos of your playing either. People here in the JG community are always positive, and will give you great feedback and tips. Enjoy it!
Maybe a YouTube premium feature? I have YT premium. It’s also available on my iPhone
I don’t have premium. I just checked the YouTube app on my Android tablet, and it has the custom slider for 5% increments. Tap on the video, then tap the gear wheel.
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That’s handy to know and new to me. Just checked YT via Chrome. Win10 and no subscription and the option is avaiable.
Man this really screwed Lee and Wilco though 
Back to full speed please !
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I just want to say that having this community makes learning to play easier for me. It’s so easy to get discouraged, and knowing others go through it also really helps. Thank you all!
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