CH-006 • Basic Barre Chords (incl. all four vid lessons)

[connelly73]

New to this forum but great site from Justin. I have been playing guitar for years and never really got the perfect barre chord. I could get by but after deciding to really get some good technique and songs under my belt tried to tackle barre chords properly. It's just I can't get either the g or b string not to mute when playing particular barre chords like Bb7 or Fmin? I have gone over the lessons and tried moving my index finger up down etc... I'm using the side of the finger as Justin suggests but just can’t nail it. It’s as if the two strings dig into the fleshy part in the middle of the finger. If I add my middle finger to push down with more pressure, it eventually works but sure, this should not be the case.

Is it a case of building up more hard skin on the first finger over time?

Thanks

[misterg]

@Connelly73

Justin comes back to this at the start of the intermediate course - It's basically a case of sticking with it 

There are some possibly useful tips in the text below the video lesson. There's no point repeating them here - have a look:

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/IM-111-EShapeMajorMinorBarreChords.php

In keeping with recent requests from the moderators to try and keep the lesson threads on topic, it might be best to post any follow-up questions relating to problems playing E shaped minor chords on the IM-111 thread (if they aren't answered in that lesson).

HTH

Andy

[connelly73]

Thanks andy will stick with it just can't seem to get the g string on the barre. Its not the joint line on my index finger its the fleshy part so hopefully if i build up some hard skin this will help.

[Justo]

I can't find the IM-111 thread

Just wondering though about my a-shape barre chords. Instead of playing them with Index finger and ring finger, I've been playing with index finger and pinky. I've practiced enough to get them nice sounding, but I was wondering if anybody could see any other problems with playing this way. Does anybody else play this way?

[Cue Zephyr]

The only 'problem' I see, is not being able to use the pinky when fingering an Asus4 barre chord.

[misterg]

I can't find the IM-111 thread

Just wondering though about my a-shape barre chords. Instead of playing them with Index finger and ring finger, I've been playing with index finger and pinky. I've practiced enough to get them nice sounding, but I was wondering if anybody could see any other problems with playing this way. Does anybody else play this way?

I tend to play the same - my pinky finger is just the right length.

IM-111 thread is here:

http://justinguitarcommunity.com/index.php?topic=23943.0

(Look at the header when you open the page to see how to get there -  have to admit it's not easy to remember where stuff is!)

Andy

[cobaltblue]

Difference between Maj7 and Dom7 Barre Chords?

[freigeist]

Hi cobaltblue,

the minor/major 7th interval

Major7: 1 3 5 7
Dom7: 1 3 5 7b
Min7: 1 3b 5 7b

If you want to learn more of that stuff, you can take a look at Justins PR-011 - Chord Construction Guide

Have fun

[cobaltblue]

Thanks freigeist!

My only problem for me is I can't find these notes on the guitar fast. I mean I always start on the root note to find the 3 or 5 etc. Any advice?

[Bootstrap]

CB - the good thing about barre chords is that the shapes are replicable. If you know how to play variations in the open position then you know how to play them as barres. So if you are playing an A chord using an E shape barre at the 5th fret then to play an Am you just use the same shape as Em in the open position at the 5th fret (ie just lift your 2nd finger off) same for A7 (ie lift your pinky) etc

[Fintan]

I've got a problem with my Em barre chord  every time i try to play a chord the g-string is muted no matter how i change my barring finger...
Any suggestions? 

[irishalkies]

I've got a problem with my Em barre chord  every time i try to play a chord the g-string is muted no matter how i change my barring finger...
Any suggestions? 

I had that problem for quite a while. Turn your finger on it's side and move it upwards a bit so that the middle joint of your finger rests on the G string. After a while your finger will develop the strength it needs to make that barre. If I can describe it in words - my fingers are long-ish, and the top of my finger is hanging over the top of the neck.

[Cue Zephyr]

I had that too, and even more so with the Asus2 barre chord. The Em-barre worked itself out over time by tring things, including what irish said. I need 'em often, too.

[cobaltblue]

Thanks Bootstrap 

[worz]

I have a question please

My barre cord changes are getting faster now, from barre to barre and barre to open, however when i go from open to barre, it doesn't sound great because the open chord rings nicely and is then completely muted by my barre coming down. Am i doing something wrong or am i still going to slow between chords?

Cheers Worz