Bad Habit Chords: How to Play and Avoid Them

Bad habit chords are chords that are played incorrectly or inefficiently, resulting in poor sound quality, finger strain, or difficulty in changing to other chords. Bad habit chords can affect your guitar playing negatively, and prevent you from reaching your full potential as a musician. In this article, we will discuss some common examples of bad habit chords, how to identify and avoid them, and how to practice good chord habits instead.

Bad Habit Chords

Some of the most common examples of bad habit chords are:

[Intro]
 
I wish I knew you wanted me
A#m9       D#6 C#maj7      D#6
I wish I knew, I wish I knew you wanted me
A#m9       D#6 C#maj7      D#6
I wish I knew, I wish I knew you wanted me
 
 
[Verse 1]
A#m9                          D#6
What you, ooh, uh, what you do?
C#maj7                        D#6
Made a move, coulda made a move
A#m9                          D#6
If I knew I'd be with you
C#maj7                        D#6
Is it too late to pursue?
 
 
[Chorus]
 
A#m9 D#9
                              D#6  A#m9  D#9
I bite my tongue, it's a bad habit
C#maj7                        D#6
Kinda mad that I didn't take a stab at it
A#m9                          D#6
Thought you were too good for me, my dear
C#maj7                        D#6
Never gave me time of day, my dear
A#m9                          D#6
It's okay, things happen for
C#maj7                        D#6
Reasons that I think are sure, yeah
 
 
[Post-Chorus]
A#m9        D#6 C#maj7      D#6
I wish I knew, I wish I knew you wanted me (I wish I knew)
A#m9        D#6 C#maj7      D#6
I wish I knew (Oh), I wish I knew you wanted me
A#m9        D#6 C#maj7      D#6
I wish I knew (Yeah), I wish I knew you wanted me (Oh)
A#m9        D#6 C#maj7      D#6
I wish I knew, I wish I knew you wanted me
 
 
[Verse 2]
A#m9   D#6 C#maj7 D#9
Please say to me (Please, just say to me)
A#m9   D#6 C#maj7 D#9
If you still want it
A#m9   D#6 C#maj7 D#9
I wish you wouldn't play with me
A#m9   D#6 C#maj7 D#9
I wanna know (Oh, no)
 
 
[Chorus]
A#m9 D#6
                    C#maj7             D#6   A#m9  D#6
Uh, can I bite your tongue like my bad habit?
C#maj7                        D#6
Would you mind if I tried to make a pass at it?
A#m9                          D#6
Were you not too good for me, my dear?
C#maj7                        D#6
Funny you came back to me, my dear
A#m9                          D#6
It's okay, things happen for
C#maj7                        D#6
Reasons that I can't ignore, yeah
 
 
[Post-Chorus]
A#m9        D#6 C#maj7      D#6
I wish I knew, I wish I knew you wanted me
A#m9        D#6 C#maj7      D#6
I wish I knew (Wish I knew), I wish I knew you wanted me (Oh)
 
 
[Bridge]
N.C
You can't surprise a Gemini (I wish I knew)
N.C
I'm everywhere, I'm cross-eyed (I wish I knew you wanted me)
N.C
Now that you're back, I can't decide (I wish I knew)
N.C
If I decide if you're invited (I wish I knew you wanted me)
N.C.
You always knew the way to wow me
N.C
Fuck around, get tongue-tied and
N.C
I turn it on, I make it rowdy
N.C
Then carry on, but I'm not hidin'
Amaj7 C#maj7   C#maj7           Gm7b5              Fm9
You grabbin' me hard 'cause you know what you found
Amaj7       Amaj7     Gm7b5
Is biscuits, is gravy, babe
 
 
[Break]
Amaj7  C#maj7
Mm-mm-mm
C#maj7 Gm7b5
Mm-mm-mm
Fm9    Amaj7
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm-mm-mm
Amaj7  Gm7b5
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm-mm-mm
Amaj7  C#maj7
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm-mm-mm
C#maj7 Gm7b5
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm-mm-mm
Fm9    Amaj7
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm-mm-mm
Amaj7  Gm7b5
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm-mm-mm
 
 
[Outro]
Amaj7 C#maj7 C#maj7  Gm7b5
You can't surprise a Gemini
        Fm9     Amaj7          Amaj7  Gm7b5  Amaj7
But you know it's biscuits, is gravy, babe
  C#maj7     C#maj7    Gm7b5
I knew you'd come back around
           Fm9       Amaj7        Amaj7  Gm7b5  Amaj7
'Cause you know it's biscuits, is gravy, babe
      C#maj7      C#maj7      Gm7b5             Fm9
Let's fuck in the back of the mall, lose control
   Amaj7      Amaj7  Gm7b5   Amaj7
Go stupid, go crazy, babe
  C#maj7    C#maj7     Gm7b5             Fm9
I know I'll be in your heart 'til the end
       Amaj7          Amaj7   Gm7b5
You'll miss me, don't beg me, babe

How to Identify and Avoid Bad Habit Chords

The best way to identify and avoid bad habit chords is to pay attention to your technique and sound when playing guitar. Here are some tips to help you do that:

• Use a mirror or a video camera: A mirror or a video camera can help you see how your fingers and hand look when playing chords. You can compare your technique with that of a professional guitarist or a guitar teacher, and spot any errors or inconsistencies. You can also record yourself playing and watch it later, or ask for feedback from someone else.
• Listen carefully to your sound: Your ears are your best judge when it comes to your sound quality. You should listen carefully to each string and each chord you play, and notice if there are any unwanted noises, such as buzzing, muting, or ringing. You should also listen to how your chords sound in relation to each other, and if they are in tune and harmonious.
• Practice slowly and deliberately: Practicing slowly and deliberately can help you focus on your technique and sound, and correct any mistakes before they become habits. You should practice each chord individually, as well as in chord progressions and songs. You should also practice with a metronome or a backing track, to develop your sense of rhythm and timing.

How to Practice Good Chord Habits

Practicing good chord habits can help you improve your guitar playing significantly, and make it more enjoyable and rewarding. Here are some tips to help you practice good chord habits:

• Use the minimum amount of pressure: When playing chords, you should use the minimum amount of pressure needed to produce a clear and clean sound. This will reduce the tension and stress in your hand, and allow you to play faster and easier. You can test your pressure by lifting your fingers slightly off the strings until they start to buzz, then pressing them down again until they stop buzzing. That is the ideal pressure for each string.
• Use proper finger posture: When playing chords, you should use proper finger posture, meaning that your fingers should be curved and relaxed, not flat or stiff. Your fingertips should press down on the strings close to the frets, not in the middle or far from them. Your thumb should be behind the neck of the guitar, not over it or under it. Your wrist should be straight or slightly bent, not twisted or angled.
• Use optimal fingering: When playing chords, you should use optimal fingering, meaning that you should choose the fingering that suits the chord shape, the song style, and the chord transition best. You should avoid unnecessary finger movements or changes, such as lifting or shifting fingers that can stay on the same string or fret. You should also use common finger patterns or shapes that can be applied to different chords easily.

Conclusion

Bad habit chords are chords that are played incorrectly or inefficiently, resulting in poor sound quality, finger strain, or difficulty in changing to other chords. Bad habit chords can affect your guitar playing negatively, and prevent you from reaching your full potential as a musician. To avoid bad habit chords, you should pay attention to your technique and sound when playing guitar, and practice good chord habits instead. By doing so, you will improve your guitar playing significantly, and make it more enjoyable and rewarding.