Dreaded D

Astro5mile, my advice is to keep on practicing and I know how much we all hate to hear that word. But that is how we get better. The "D" chord is just another chord that you simply need to develope your muscle memory too. Just try to strum in any chord progression that has a "D" chord in it and do it over and over again. Repition is where you develope muscle memory. Don't worry about how your struming sounds just concentrate on making the changes slowly and smoothly. Your natural speed will come all on it's own. Do this 10 minutes a day and you will soon have the "D" mastered. If you continue to have to look at the fret board (and there is nothing wrong with that) try make your chord changes with your eye's closed or the lights out. It'll help. You can practice any chords you are having trouble with this way BUT be prepared to cuss the "B" chord for the rest of your lifetime. As for the F#m7 - forget about it!

Nela

I used to think there was a point when I "arrived"--but I don't think you ever do, you just keep learning new things, and getting a little bit better inch by inch.  Just enjoy what you've achieved after 10 months, and keep at it.  Like someone said, everone has tough chord changes.  D to Bm was always tough for me, and A to F#m is never as fast and smooth as I like it.  I just sit in front of the tv and all night long just jump from one to the other, don't strum the chord, just go back and forth all night long...won't take very long and the muscle memory will be there for you.  Go as slow as you need to, but hit it as clean as possible, and the speed will come, don't force it.

Go over your "D" and any other problems every practice session. If your fingers are late or you miss a chord change, don't stop or delay. Be on time for the next chord change.
Playing alone can mess you up if you lose the rhythm when you botch something. Playing with others or along with a recording will help you keep proper time and is very inspiring.

well my bit on this is mostly what has been said, practice practice practice

Try just going from the chord A to D and D to A. Dont try any other until you can do it.

Or G to D   D to G.

Then move on to chords like C to D  D toC   etc etc etc.

Once your fingers learn to make the shape you will wonder how you had trouble to start with, it will eventually come like it did with other chords.

I still have trouble sometimes changing onto Bm7 from any chord apart from D. I should follow my own advice and practice a bit more.

Ken

Thanks great idea its inspired me.........