50 to 100 bpm tempo exercise

50 to 100 BPM Chord Speed Exercise

In order to be able to switch between chords quickly and efficiently, we will be using an exercise I have created called the "50 to 100 BPM Chord Speed" exercise. Follow the instructions below to perform this exercise (feel free to substitute out the chords for any chord switch you may be having trouble with):

Exercise 1
The first step to switching chords quickly and efficiently is to play each chord one strum at a time to build muscle memory between the two chords.

C G7 C G7
/ / / /

Try this exercise at your own speed. The / (forward slash) means to strum your chord once. This exercise requires you to strum C once, then move to G7, then back to C, then again to G7. Repeat this as long as it takes to get comfortable switching between these chords. Push yourself to switch as fast as you can without sacrificing the accuracy of your fretting hand positioning.

Exercise 2
Once you're comfortable with the first exercise, let's try this next one. Play each chord two times, then rest (stop playing) for two counts. During this rest section, it's a good idea to start preparing yourself for the switch of the next chord. The vertical lines that happen in between the chords are called bar lines and they separate what's called measures. This is a way of making written music more organized and readable.

C G7
/ / rest rest | / / rest rest |

C G7

/ / rest rest | / / rest rest |

If you wish to do a more focused version of this exercise that will work on coordinating your strums with even spaces between, do the exact same thing, except follow a drum beat or metronome. Go to YouTube.com and look up the bpm followed by "drum beat" (ex. 50 bpm drum beat) to play with a drum beat at the speed of your choice, or go to google.com and search the bpm followed by "metronome" (ex. 50 bpm metronome) to practice with a metronome. Start at 50 bpm and bring the tempo up by 10 bpm as you get comfortable with each speed. If you're at 100 bpm, you are definitely ready for the next exercise.

Exercise 3
Now it's time to get rid of the rests. If you need to, before moving on to the next portion of this exercise, you may practice three strums with one beat of rest (/ / / rest) before switching to your next chord. If you feel confident about your chord switches up to this point, try this out!

C G7 C G7
/ / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |

Try this exercise at different tempos as well. Again, start at 50 bpm and push it up 10 bpm everytime you get comfortable. Go as high as your heart's content!