The Chord Squeeze

Here is a good way to start playing chords. Carefully place your fingers on the notes for a chord, remembering to use your fingertips and to be as close to the frets as possible. Also check to make sure your fingers are nicely arched. Then just use a quick pumping motion to squeeze the neck between your thumb and fingers. You are trying to hold it down for less than half a second then releasing it, not losing contact with the strings. Repeat this 10 to 20 times then go on to the next chord you are working on. You might also add a strum down across the strings just as you are squeezing.

This is a particularly effective way to learn to play bar chords. Hold your fingers on an F chord with your 1st finger slightly rounded to the shape of the neck. The other 3 fingers need a nice arch into the strings. You can also practice sliding back and forth from F to G (1st fret to 3rd fret). Remember that when you are moving, your fingers are in contact with the strings but not applying pressure.

As you get the hang of this and some of the chords start getting easier and sounding better the next step is working on two chords at a time. Squeeze and strum the 1st chord 4 times then change to the 2nd chord. The goal here is to keep the strums even through the change. You should be able to tap your foot steadily with each stroke.