How 1-on-1 guitar lessons helped Chloe overcome strumming challenges and improve her rhythm

Have you ever found yourself stuck, trying to keep the rhythm going while your fingers fumble through chord changes?

Chloe had the same experience and it used to leave her feeling stuck every time she picked up her guitar. Even though she practiced regularly, strumming patterns and smooth transitions between chords felt just out of reach.

The biggest challenge? Staying in rhythm while moving from one chord to another-especially during fast-paced sections of a song.

Things began to shift once Chloe started 1-on-1 guitar lessons with guitar tutor Jasmin Vilca. With personalized guidance, she started building confidence, improving her control, and finally getting comfortable with those tricky transitions.

Looking to learn guitar? Get 1-on-1 lessons from expert-vetted guitar tutors, whether you’re jamming for fun, working on technique, or getting ready for auditions.

Real class insight: Chloe’s one-on-one guitar session

In one of their recent live lessons, Jasmin helped Chloe focus on three key areas: smoothing out her left-hand transitions, tightening her strumming technique, and maintaining a steady tempo. Here’s what they focused on during their session:

Mastering chord transitions – from C to G major

Chloe had been struggling to transition quickly and smoothly from C major to G major-especially when the tempo picked up. No matter how much she practiced, those fast chord changes always felt clunky and just out of sync.

Jasmin Vilca noticed the issue right away. Chloe’s left hand was doing more work than necessary, making it harder to keep up with the rhythm.

What Chloe learned: 

“Jasmin showed me how to keep my fingers relaxed and hover them over the fretboard while switching chords. It helped me avoid unnecessary hand movements and allowed me to transition faster,” Chloe explains.

Jasmin also suggested that Chloe practice slower transitions, focusing on form and precision before building speed.

Strumming patterns – finding the right rhythm

Keeping a consistent rhythm while strumming was for Chloe-especially during certain sections of a song where timing mattered most. No matter how much she tried to stay on beat, her strumming would sometimes rush or fall out of sync.

Seeing this, Jasmin guided her to take a step back and slow things down. She encouraged Chloe to shift her focus from speed to precision, paying close attention to the timing and clarity of each strum.

What Chloe learned:

 “Jasmin had me slow down the strumming pattern at first, making sure I didn’t rush through it. She showed me how to focus on the up and down motion of my hand to keep the rhythm steady. It was amazing how much smoother it felt when I concentrated on each individual strum,” Chloe recalls.

By breaking down the rhythm and focusing on steady strumming, Chloe was able to improve the flow and consistency of her playing.

Building left-hand speed – E minor, G, and D major

As they progressed, Chloe worked on increasing the speed of her left-hand transitions between E minor, G, and D major. Jasmin emphasized muscle memory and hand placement to help Chloe switch chords more efficiently.

What Chloe learned:
“I was surprised at how quickly my left hand improved with the right guidance,” Chloe says. “Jasmin showed me how to anticipate the chord changes and start moving my fingers even before reaching the next chord.”

By practicing these transitions at a slower pace and gradually increasing the speed, Chloe built more confidence and control over her hand movements.

Why this matters: you can learn faster with personalized guidance

Chloe’s progress in just one lesson demonstrates the power of 1-on-1 lessons in breaking down challenges and improving technique. With real-time feedback and a personalized approach, Chloe was able to focus on her weak points and build confidence in her playing.

As Jasmin pointed out during the session, “Remember, it’s not all at once. It takes some time, takes a few sessions.” That patience-first approach is what allowed Chloe to overcome the initial hurdles and keep moving forward.

“The improvement in my left-hand transitions and strumming was noticeable almost immediately,” Chloe says. “I feel much more in control of my playing now, and I’m excited to keep learning!”

Want to improve strumming and rhythm like this? 

Connect with top-rated guitar tutors who can:

• Help with strumming patterns, chord transitions, and hand coordination
• Offer real-time feedback and tailored exercises
• Provide structured lessons that are focused on your progress

Book a lesson with a guitar tutor today – your first lesson is on us!

Looking to learn guitar? Get 1-on-1 lessons from expert-vetted guitar tutors, whether you’re jamming for fun, working on technique, or getting ready for auditions.

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Link to Jasmin Vilca’s profile

Jasmin Vilca

Footnote: The student’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.