Easy 10-Minute Guitar Workout – How to Play Em and C

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We’re back with part two of Ayla’s Easy Guitar Workout series! This play-along is perfect for any beginner guitarist who wants to improve their chord changes and sense of timing. The format will be exactly the same as part one, but we’ll be throwing a new chord into the mix. 

Rather than changing between a G major chord and an E minor chord, you’ll be changing between an E minor chord and a C major chord.

You already know the drill, so let’s get to it!

1. Strum an E minor chord and hold for 4 beats
2. Pick each individual string of the E minor chord on the beat
3. Strum an E minor chord and hold for 4 beats, then release pressure for 4 beats
4. Strum an E minor chord and hold for 4 beats, then take hand off and point at the screen
5. Take a short break and stretch out your fingers
6. Strum a C major chord and hold for 4 beats
7. Pick each individual string of the C major chord on the beat
8. Strum a C major chord and hold for 4 beats, then release pressure for 4 beats
9. Strum a C major chord and hold for 4 beats, then take hand off and point at the screen
10. Take another break and stretch out your fingers
11. Play E minor for 2 bars (8 beats) followed by C major for 2 bars (8 beats)
12. Play E minor for 1 bar (4 beats) followed by C major for 1 bar (4 beats)
13. Play E minor for 2 beats followed by C major for 2 beats

Just like with part one of this series, if you’re struggling to make the changes in time it’s better to leave a chord early and land on time than vice versa. Be sure to stretch and shake out those fingers during every break. It can go a long way in making the remaining parts of the workout less painful. 

Add this exercise to your daily practice time, and we’ll see you back here for part three very soon!

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