7 Hacks For Switching Chords Faster On Guitar
by Simon Candy
Struggling with messy chord changes?
In this video, I’ll give you 7 hacks for switching chords faster that most guitar teachers never show you.
Now, here’s the thing: the usual advice is just ‘keep practising the shapes over and over, and eventually it’ll click.’ And sure, repetition helps… but it’s also why so many players stay stuck for years.
The truth is, smooth chord changes aren’t about practising harder—they’re about practising smarter.
And once you understand the different ways to approach chord changes—whether you’re strumming, fingerpicking, or moving between tricky shapes—you’ll be amazed at how much faster you can make chord changes and how much cleaner your playing sounds.
Hack #3 in particular is one that almost no one ever thinks about.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Be sure to watch the video above for detailed breakdowns and demonstrations of each hack outlined below.
Hack 1: Open String Connection
One of the easiest ways to smooth out chord changes is to use open strings as a bridge.
Instead of always fretting the last note of a pattern, let an open string ring — it buys you time to move your hand.
This matters because it frees you from feeling rushed. Instead of clunky jumps, your changes sound fluid and musical. And this becomes even more powerful in fingerpicking, because the open notes blend right into the next chord.
But sometimes you can’t rely on open strings alone.
What if you want to keep one note sustaining while changing chords?
That’s hack #2.
Hack 2: Layering Fingers Down
Most beginners slam all their fingers down at once when changing chords. But in reality, you don’t always need every finger down immediately — sometimes layering is smoother.
This is key because you’re not just making the chord — you’re making music. When you layer, you control which notes sustain, giving you a pro-level sound even with basic chords.
And layering is great, but sometimes the best move is to literally carry a note over into the next chord.
That’s hack #3.
Hack 3: Carrying a Note Over
A lot of smooth chord playing comes from voice leading — letting one finger stay down while the rest move. This is “carrying” a note over.
This gives your changes a glue-like quality. Instead of sounding like blocks, chords start to flow into each other naturally.
Now sometimes, though, you don’t want smooth… you want snappy.
That’s hack #4.
Hack 4: Snapping Fingers Down
When strumming, especially in rhythm-heavy songs, you need a quick, confident snap of your fingers onto the fretboard. Hesitation makes the rhythm fall apart.
This isn’t just about speed — it’s about keeping the rhythm locked in. If you hesitate, the whole song feels shaky.
With snapping, you anchor the groove.
And here’s a cool thing — sometimes you don’t even need to move much at all, because the chords share common notes.
That’s hack #5.
Hack 5: Common Note
Many chords share notes, and if you recognise that, you can anchor your hand around that finger instead of lifting everything off.
Spotting common notes reduces wasted motion. Instead of jumping, you pivot around the notes that stay the same — it’s like using stepping stones instead of leaping over a stream.
But it’s not just about a single note — sometimes whole finger shapes repeat across chords.
That’s hack #6.
Hack 6: Common Formations
Sometimes chords share the same finger formation, even if they look different at first glance. If you see those patterns, changes become way easier.
Seeing shapes instead of individual fingers speeds up your learning curve. You’re no longer memorising 100 separate chords — you’re recognising patterns that repeat everywhere.
And once you spot shapes, the final step is noticing when the same finger stays on the same string — just sliding up or down.
That’s hack #7.
Hack 7: Common String
Sometimes your finger stays on the same string but just shifts frets. This makes changes feel natural and connected.
This matters because it reduces the mental load.
Instead of thinking, “Where do all four fingers go?” you think, “Keep this finger here, then adjust the rest.”
It’s like having a landmark in a new city — you won’t get lost.
Discover simple ways to create stunning fingerpicking music, even as a beginner