How to Practice Difficult Left-Hand Shifts on Guitar

The hardest shifts on guitar involve moving the left hand a long distance between completely different chord shapes.

When you encounter a shift like this, it can totally disrupt the flow of the music.

You pause to hunt for the new location of your hand before you can keep playing.

How do you overcome this obstacle?

1. Change Chords in the Same Position

Start by separating the chord switch from the shift. Move your left hand to the new chord shape but in the same position. If you’re shifting from 7^th position to 1^st position, for example, start by just changing your hand to the new chord shape in 7^th position.

2. Shift One Fret

Next, practice changing the chord shape and only shifting one fret. If you started at the 7^th position, shift to the 6^th position.

3. Continue Increasing the Shift Distance

Gradually shift further. If you started with 7^th position, shift to 5^th position, then 4^th, then 3^rd, then 2^nd position.

4. Shift Fully and Stop

Next, go all the way from 7^th position to 1^st position and stop on the new chord. Check that all fingers are positioned where they need to be. Repeat this until you can consistently and confidently land the full shift.

5. Play On

Now you have overcome the obstacle and can play through the shift without a pause This is the result you were working toward! Way to go!

Before you practice shifting, I encourage you to start your practice session with a simple Warmup Routine.

If you would like to get my Warmup Routine for free while joining more than 800 people who receive my free Saturday Classical Guitarist newsletter, click here.

Keep making music!