| Guitar barre chords (sometimes spelled as bar chords), | | | | note on the sixth string. |
| are often regarded with dread by new guitarists. It's | | | | As noted earlier, this is an example of a moveable |
| true that they can be tricky when you first start | | | | chord shape - to see how flexible this is, try keeping |
| attempting them, but with correct technique and lots of | | | | your fingers in the same relative positions, but slide |
| practice, you'll be able to master them sooner than | | | | them along so you're starting at the third fret, rather |
| you'd expect. Let's take a look at what barre chords | | | | than the first - now you're playing a G major chord. |
| involve, and some tips for playing them properly. | | | | Similarly, if you move up to the fifth fret, you have an |
| What Are Barre Chords? | | | | A major chord. In this way you can play every major |
| Simply put, a barre chord involves using one (or more) | | | | chord by moving along the fretboard. Many people find |
| of the fingers on your fretting hand to hold down | | | | it easier to learn barre chords by starting further up the |
| multiple strings at once. This is in contrast to regular | | | | fretboard, so if the F major chord is giving you |
| chords, where each finger depresses only one string | | | | problems, try practising the A chord at the fifth fret |
| at a time, using the tip. In a 'full barre', the index finger is | | | | first, and then move downwards as your technique |
| placed across all six strings, whereas in a 'half barre', | | | | improves. |
| fewer strings (between 2 and 5) are pressed down | | | | Tips For Playing Better Barre Chords |
| simultaneously. | | | | Ok, if you're like 99% of beginner guitarists, chances |
| There are different barre shapes to learn, some of | | | | are that the chord you just played sounded pretty |
| which you may find more difficult than others. It's worth | | | | ropey! It's normal to find that some notes don't sound |
| making the effort however, as barre chords are an | | | | properly at first, and to experience discomfort in your |
| essential part of becoming a skilled guitarist, and once | | | | left hand. Here are some additional things to bear in |
| mastered, they also add a lot of flexibility to your | | | | mind to improve the sound of your barre chords: |
| playing, as the shapes can be moved up and down | | | | - The finger that is holding down multiple strings (the |
| the fretboard, allowing you to play a wide variety of | | | | index finger in this case) is generally the one that |
| chords without changing the configuration of the | | | | causes the most problems, so it's especially important |
| fingers. | | | | to make sure it's correctly placed. Some people will tell |
| Barre Chords For Beginners - Getting Started With F | | | | you that the finger should be straight - this may work |
| Major | | | | for them, but many others (me included) find that |
| So, where to begin? If you are new to barre chords, | | | | curving the index finger slightly helps to depress the |
| the F chord is among the most popular places to start. | | | | strings better, and is more comfortable too. It also |
| This involves playing the F major chord (F-A-C) at the | | | | helps to roll the finger back a little, so the side of the |
| first fret, using a full barre. Here's how to do it: | | | | finger closest to the thumb presses on the strings - this |
| | | | helps to avoid using the parts of the finger where a |
| 1. Place your first (index) finger across all six strings on | | | | crease forms at the joints, which aren't as effective |
| the first fret and press down. You don't need to | | | | as the flatter, fleshier areas. |
| depress all of the strings with this finger, but try to | | | | - When playing a full barre with the index finger |
| ensure that the 6th, (E) 2nd (B) and 1st (E) strings are | | | | extended across all the strings, don't exert too much |
| fully pressed down. The other fingers will take care of | | | | force along the entire length of the finger - overdoing it |
| the remaining strings. | | | | can lead to injury. Remember that you don't need to |
| 2. Place the tip of your second (middle) finger by the | | | | hold down every string completely with this finger - just |
| second fret of the 3rd (G) string. | | | | those that aren't being fretted by the other fingers. |
| 3. Place your third (ring) finger by the third fret of the | | | | - Once your index finger is in place, place the remaining |
| 5th (A) string. | | | | fingers as close to the relevant frets as possible (but |
| 4. Place your fourth (pinky) finger by the third fret of | | | | not actually on the frets) - this will help to avoid fret |
| the 4th (D) string. | | | | buzz and ensure that the notes sound clearly. |
| With your hand in this position, you're playing the | | | | - Make sure that the thumb of your fretting hand is |
| following notes: | | | | resting towards the middle of the neck - don't wrap it |
| - First finger - F (6th string), C (2nd string), F (1st string) | | | | round the top as if you're gripping a pole. Placing it |
| - Second finger - A (3rd string) | | | | closer to the centre helps you to get your fingers in |
| - Third finger - C (5th string) | | | | the right position, and to press them down effectively |
| - Fourth finger - F (4th string) | | | | (and yes, you'll see a lot of guitarists flout this rule, but |
| In tab notation, the chord looks like this: | | | | it's poor technique. Break the rules later on when |
| E | -- 1 -- | | | | | you're a skilled guitarist if you like, but make it easier for |
| B | -- 1 -- | | | | | yourself by getting things right to start with!) |
| G | -- 2 -- | | | | | - It's important to realise that (as with other guitar |
| D | -- 3 -- | | | | | techniques) there isn't a single 'correct' way to play |
| A | -- 3 -- | | | | | barre chords. Other people can give advice, but |
| E | -- 1 -- | | | | | because every guitarist has a unique hand structure, |
| With your fingers in place, use your other hand to pick | | | | with its own strengths and weaknesses, some |
| out each note of the chord individually - ideally, they | | | | experimentation will usually be needed to find the |
| should all sound clearly with no buzz or muting. Then | | | | exact positions that work most effectively for you. So |
| try strumming the strings with your thumb or a pick. It's | | | | treat barre chord instructions as a starting point, not |
| important to ensure that the individual notes sound | | | | gospel. |
| properly before strumming, otherwise you may not | | | | - Perhaps the most important tip of all is to keep |
| notice if some of the notes aren't properly formed. | | | | practicing, now matter how frustrating the process |
| Moveable Barre Chords | | | | may be. Most people find barre chords difficult to begin |
| This type of barre chord is based on the open E | | | | with, and if you're feeling discouraged, remember that |
| major chord - you'll notice that the second, third and | | | | just about every great guitarist that you admire has |
| fourth fingers are in the same relative positions as in | | | | been in exactly the same position as you are now. |
| the E chord, but are one fret further along. The index | | | | Just set aside some time each day to keep plugging |
| finger forms the barre and takes the place of the | | | | away at them, and these chords will become easier, |
| guitar nut. Chords using this configuration are known as | | | | until one day you'll be playing them effortlessly. |
| E major shape barre chords, and all have their root | | | | |
