Expert: Joe O'Neill - 2/27/2006

Question
I can't afford a lefty guitar (out of the question). It's been 4 months since I've been playing a right-handed steel-string acoustic - upsidedown. I tried doing it the other way for a while but could not get the right feel.  My question is on an avarage how long does it take to master chord formations?  I'm able to keep up with certain sound tracks, but I still finger each string.  I keep hearing that in chords, your fingers should all land on the strings at the same time and that's what I see when others play. I try and try but it's not happening.  How long? What are some exercises that maybe I can do to speed the process? Any books, DVDs or personal advice?  The hardest chords for me are the open Gmajor and Cmajor (I hate B7) and I have not even tried barre chords!  

Answer
Axel - I feel your pain! But don't worry, it will come. You need to acept the fact that upside down lefthanders have to cheat their chords a bid. The downside to that is the sound will be be slightly different when playing some chords (open or closed). There are no books that I have ever seen that can help with our unique style of playing guitar. But there are many books that show alternate methods of playing Gmajor,Cmajor, and even B7. Some of these alternate methods are very easy. As you study, and I hope you will continue, you will develope 4, 5, or possibly even 6 methods of playing the same chord. The most important thing about learning to play serious is chord formations. What notes make the chord. Secondly, learn the notes on all of the frets. It may seem overwhelming to do this at first, but it's just a matter of a string at a time. Once you know the fret notes and chord formation, you can go looking on the guitar for the chord you feel most comfortable with.

There is much to learn about this instrument and at 50 years old now, I still read and practice every night for 30 minutes or so.

Something that might help. Generally chord are made up of triads (just 3 certain notes), so some of the time the others strings you are strumming are just duplicates of these notes anyway.Good luck!   Joe.........