Chord charts are generally a great tool for learning how to play songs. They tell you which chords to play and give you a rough idea of how long you have to play them and when to switch. However, sometimes this might not be clear enough, especially in a more complex song, and many guitarists get stuck, unsure when to change chords.
Learning guitar keys makes it much easier to predict which chord comes next.
Related: how to write lyrics. For the full overview, see our beginner songwriting guide.
If you want to learn when to change chords, listening carefully and experimenting are the two most important skills. You have to familiarize yourself with the key of the song and the common moments when you can change chords. It’s also important to jam with other people.
If you struggle with figuring out when to switch chords in a song, don’t worry. This article will explain everything you need to know on this topic, so you’ll be ready to easily conquer your guitar goals.
How To Know When To Change Guitar Chords in a Song: When Do Chord Changes Happen in a Song?
Before jumping deeper into this topic, it’s important to first familiarize yourself with how chord changes usually happen in a song. It goes without saying that they aren’t random, so understanding when they happen will help you predict when you’re supposed to change the chord in the song you’re playing.
Of course, there are many variations, but most songs in popular music roughly follow the same rules. The beat is usually 4/4, which makes things pretty easy for a prospective guitarist, and the chords usually change in these three situations:
- Once every measure
- Once every two measures
- In the middle of the measure
We’ll explain these chord changes in a minute, but before that, let’s go back to the basics and see what a measure is in music.
What Is a Measure?
A measure (also known as a bar) in music is a group of beats you play at a certain tempo. Music sheets are usually divided into measures to create bite-sized pieces that are easy to read and understand.
For example, if you have a 4/4 time signature, there are four beats in the measure, and each one lasts a quarter of the measure. 3/4 means there are three such beats in the measure. Many other variations exist, but these two are the most common in Western music.
Most of the time, you’ll play in these time signatures unless you play progressive rock or something like that. In that case, you’re probably skilled enough not to need this article, so we’ll stick to the easiest time signatures for simplicity.
Now that we know what a measure is, let’s take at the most common chord change options.
Chord Changes Every Measure
Chords often change after each measure, especially if it’s a simple song. This is the easiest option, and it’s not difficult to pick up these changes. As a rule of thumb, the chord changes at the beginning of the measure, meaning it’ll change on the first beat.
If you’re playing a song with this structure, tap your foot to the beat and change the chord every four beats. It’s a piece of cake; you’ll be able to nail this in no time. Start slowly and increase the tempo as you get a better feeling for the rhythm. Focus only on the beat at this stage.
Chord Changes Every Two Measures
Another common option is changing the chord every two measures. This functions in pretty much the same way as the previous option; you just strum each chord twice as long. This case might even be easier as you have to move your fretting hand less often and have more time to get into the rhythm,
This pattern might be extended almost indefinitely. Sometimes you’ll find songs in which you have to stay on the same chord for up to four measures. This is so easy that you might forget you even have to change the chord.
Remember to count the beats, not the times you strum the chord. While the latter might help you get it right, it doesn’t let you develop a good sense of rhythm. You might learn one song more easily, but it’ll hinder your long-term progress, and you won’t develop your full potential.
Chord Changes in the Middle of the Measure
Sometimes, things might get a bit complicated, so you’ll have to change chords in the middle of the measure. This is usually done on the third beat, which might catch you by surprise if you are not fully concentrated.
Sometimes, you’ll even have a mix of these situations. While this might be harder to learn, it’s a great way to liven up your songs if you’re a songwriter. Chord changes that are too regular will make your music sound robotic, and it won’t be as catchy and exciting as unpredictable music.
Of course, you should not overdo it. You should entertain your audience and make them dance. Nobody wants to hear a chord salad in a weird time signature they can’t vibe to. Don’t show off when writing your chord progressions.
Familiarize Yourself With the Scale
We get it—scales are boring and you’d most likely rather watch paint dry than practice them. However, learning the basic scales will make it much easier for you not just to learn how to play songs, but also how to write them.
Before learning a new song, see which key it is in. This will tell you which chords to expect in the song. While this technique won’t necessarily tell you when to change chords, knowing what to expect will allow you to change chords much faster.
This is particularly true when you can’t see your chord sheet or are not exactly certain which chord goes next. Having a good grasp of scales will let you make educated guesses on which chord to play next, which, in turn, will make your playing smoother.
Listen Very Carefully
Listening carefully is the most important thing when it comes to figuring out the chord changes in a song. When learning a song, make sure you listen to it very often, but not passively. Don’t just blast it in the background.