timed technical drillMove between G and C for two minutes
Spend two minutes changing only between G and C with relaxed pressure. Keep the beat steady and do not stop the rhythm while the left hand moves.
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Example lesson history · Keeping a Four-Bar Chord Progression in Time
Keep the chord changes moving · 26 Aug Build three clear chord shapes · 19 Aug Find and hold a steady pulse · 12 Aug2 September 2026
Keeping a Four-Bar Chord Progression in Time ✓ Teacher approved
Today you worked on a simple chord progression and a steady pulse. The main goal was to keep the rhythm moving while changing shapes, especially from G to C. The work was reduced to one down-strum per beat at 60 bpm so you could focus on timing, relaxed pressure and clean movement between chords.
Work from this lesson
Your next steps
rhythm and chord-change practicePlay four complete G-C-D-D loops
Play four full loops at 60 bpm with one down-strum per beat. Keep counting aloud and aim to finish the changes on time, even if a chord is not perfect.
listening and self-reviewRecord one short attempt and listen back
Record a short version of the progression and listen for the pulse, especially across the change from G to C. Notice whether the strums stay evenly spaced.
The lesson focused on keeping a four-bar progression moving in time: one bar of G, one bar of C, and two bars of D. You could form the chords separately, but the main challenge was not stopping the strumming hand during the change from G to C. The key idea was to keep the pulse going, even if the chord shape is still settling, because a slightly imperfect chord on time is better than a perfect chord that arrives late.
Keep the pulse going during chord changes
The main skill was to let the strumming hand keep time while the fretting hand prepares the next shape. Stopping the rhythm makes the pause part of the performance, so the progression loses its flow.
Example If you are moving from G to C, keep counting and strumming on the beat even if the C chord is not fully clean yet. A slightly imperfect chord on time is more useful than a clean chord that arrives late.
Common misconception A chord change must pause the rhythm until the shape is perfect.
Check yourself Can you keep strumming evenly while changing from G to C?
Relaxed pressure can make changes faster
The lesson showed that too much fretting pressure can slow the hand down. Releasing unnecessary pressure, while still keeping contact with the strings, reduces the distance the fingers need to travel and helps the next shape arrive sooner.
Example On beat three, ease the pressure a little rather than lifting the fingers away completely. For C, bring the fingertips nearer to the fret so muted notes clear without squeezing harder.
Common misconception Pressing harder always makes a chord change cleaner and quicker.
Check yourself Are your fingers staying close to the strings without gripping too tightly?
Listen for even spacing between strums
You were shown to listen for the gap between strums, not just whether every string rang clearly. Even spacing tells you that the pulse is steady across the whole progression.
Example At 60 bpm with one down-strum per beat, each strum should feel evenly separated from the next, including the move from G to C.
Common misconception A good practice run is only one where every chord rings perfectly.
Check yourself Do the strums sound evenly spaced all the way through the loop?
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