Clean Chord Switching in 7 Days
Change chords in time, every time.
Beginner guitarists
You should be comfortable with open and power chords to take this class. Bar chord experience is helpful but not required.
7 days
Dan will guide you through 7 days of step-by-step instruction with daily practice plans and assessments.
Smooth chord changes
This class will help you strengthen your chord-changing skills to flow through progressions with ease.
Take the next step
Once you've mastered this challenge, keep learning with more challenges and guided Learning Pathways.
What you'll learn
In this class, Dan Kalisher breaks down the essential fretting-hand mechanics that help chord changes feel easier and steadier. Each day, you’ll focus on a practical chord-switching concept so you can move between shapes without rushing or freezing up.
- Sharpen your timing.
- Nail chord changes that slow beginners down.
- Learn how to stop falling off the beat.
- Build fundamental rhythm muscle memory.
Curriculum
Stay focused with this step-by-step learning program designed by our expert team of music educators.
Your guided learning experience
In this 7-day Challenge, Dan will help you improve your fretting-hand dexterity and speed so you can switch chords right on the beat every time.
Wiggle or no wiggle
Start the class by learning a simple shape-memorization technique called the wiggle.
You’ll train your fretting hand to find chord shapes faster, then practice landing each change on the downbeat.
Pivot fingers
Now that you’ve started building muscle memory, you’ll learn how shared notes can help your fingers stay anchored between chord shapes.
You’ll use pivot fingers to make common chord progressions feel smoother and more connected.
Smarter chord switches
Next, you'll take on more challenging progressions by learning how to use certain fingers to lead the rest.
You’ll also work on finding the most efficient movement and choosing the easiest route between chords.
Then, you'll apply those ideas to open and power chords.
Day 6. Bar chords crash course review
Dan helps you take the mystery out of bar chords. You’ll get a clearer handle on the mechanics, then work through the main shapes and root movements so they start to feel more manageable.
Day 7. Integrating bar chords
In the final lesson, you’ll bring every chord type into one focused practice session. Dan guides you through efficient movement and cleaner switches using a John Mayer-inspired progression.
Performances
Before you move on from this class, Dan will challenge you to learn a song and put everything into practice in a real musical setting. This is your chance to apply the techniques in context and start making them your own.
Day 1. Wiggle or no wiggle
You’ll start building stronger chord-shape memory with a simple technique called the wiggle. Learn how to land changes on the downbeat by resetting your hand and visualizing each chord shape.
In this intro lesson, Dan will introduce the wiggle – a technique that helps you strengthen your muscle memory for chord shapes. You’ll build up to sustaining each chord for as long as possible before catching the next downbeat.
Day 2. Pivot fingers
Your fingers don’t always need to start from scratch with every new chord. You’ll learn how shared notes can help you pivot between chords and keep your progressions moving with less effort.
Many chords share one or more notes. That’s where pivot fingers come in handy. Using an Oasis-inspired progression, Dan shows you how to use pivot fingers to connect chord shapes more smoothly.
Days 3-5. Smarter chord switches
In these lessons, Dan will help you move through tougher progressions with better control. You’ll explore smarter ways to guide your fretting hand between shapes, including using leading fingers and finding the more efficient path from one chord to the next.
Day 3. Challenging chord switches
You’ll take on more difficult chord progressions by learning how leading fingers can guide the rest of your hand into place. Dan will help you work through multiple chord combinations inspired by AC/DC’s Back in Black.
Day 4. Path of least resistance
Smooth chord changes are all about spotting the easiest route between chord shapes. You’ll learn how inward and outward hand movement can make progressions feel more natural while practicing shapes inspired by Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here.
Day 5. Power chords
Now, you’ll add power chords into the mix and practice switching between open and movable shapes. Dan will help you combine open and power chords for rock-inspired progressions – giving you more chordal options to play through your favorite songs.
Days 6-7. Bar chord challenge
In these final days, you’ll tackle the dreaded bar chord and combine everything you’ve practiced so far. You’ll bring your chord switching together by playing through a full progression using bar chord shapes, power chords, and open chords.
Day 6. Bar chords crash course review
Take a deep breath because we’re working on bar chords today. Fortunately, Dan breaks down the mechanics of bar chords so they feel less intimidating. You’ll practice E- and A-shape bar chords, minor bar chord shapes, and smoother switches between 5th- and 6th-string roots.
Day 7. Dynamics
In the final lesson, you’ll combine open, power, and bar chords in one complete workout. Dan will help you apply the path of least resistance, cleaner finger movement, and full bar chord switching in a John Mayer-inspired progression. This is where it all comes together.
Performances
Now that you’ve worked so hard on your chord-switching skills, it’s time to put them into practice. Work on pivot fingers with an Oasis-inspired jam, then combine open chords, power chords, and palm muting in a Nirvana-inspired performance piece.
REAL students
Don’t take our word for it, take theirs
What guitarists love about this course
FULL REFUND, NO QUESTIONS ASKED
Improve your playing or get your money back
We’re so confident that we can improve your playing that we’re underwriting your membership with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
Your Instructor
Dan Kalisher
Dan is an expert session guitarist, pedal steel player, and producer who’ll help you become a more confident rhythm and lead guitarist.
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Frequently asked questions
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