Barre Chords

[Loraine]

@[email protected] Barre chords are the nemesis of many, but don’t let your frustration keep your from trying! Make sure your barre is close to the fret, and pull the guitar up a little and your elbow in. Once you find the sweet spot, you’ll be amazed that you’ll be able to consistently play the barre chords. Keep on plunking!

[tailsawaggin]

Where’s your thumb set?

[Bill_Brown]

Hi Susan ( @[email protected] ), Welcome to TAC. Hope you have a great guitar journey here🤩

Try taking those barre chord shapes (index) up to the 5th or 7th frets🤔. There’s a lot less string tension along that area of the neck😱 and that should make it easier to practice the chord shapes, and perhaps get some quicker gratification😃

Some other pointers, 1) make sure your thumb is lined up with the index finger and you’re squeezing (gently) from both sides of the neck. 2) make sure you’re using all of your index finger – what I mean by that is that you should lay your entire index finger across the fret such that the edge of your palm is against the edge of the neck – hope that makes sense

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  Bill_Brown.

[SusanC]

Thank you everyone! I think my index finger will be up to the task (punishment) tomorrow. I really appreciate your help. I’ll keep you posted.

[Ronlad]

@SusanC I learned that Barre chords are a matter of feel and placement. I still have trouble with Barre chords. I try to roll my index finger until I get a good sound on the frets. It is definitely a tricky thing.

[Olddog]

Some guitars are easier and in some cases much easier than others for barre chords. The problem may not be you but the guitar you are using.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  Olddog.

[N-lightMike]

First, @SusanC , let me say, barre chords are a huge challenge for many people. As adult learners, it will take far longer than we could possible think was reasonable. So let’s start by recognizing 2 things: it will take longer than you want to believe; and slowly but surely, over time, you will get better and better as long as you don’t give up.

Second, since barre chords are especially challenging for us adult learners, I use only 10 gauge string sets. Even then, some guitars are easier than others. Beginners sometimes like shorter scale length guitars because they think they have trouble with spreading their fingers. But short scale length guitars are harder to play barre chords on. (And the finger spread turns out to be a technique problem that will come with time and short scale length guitars don’t help very much.)

All right, so let’s talk technique. Make sure your thumb is behind the neck, not on top. Also, it should be opposite the thumb. And you should experiment where to put your index finger when barring. Raise it up so the tip of the finger is above the fretboard. Then lower it so the tip of the finger just reaches the 6th string. Also experiment with your elbow, moving it toward and away from your body, and pushing your wrist forward or pulling is back. Another trick, you can use the elbow of your picking hand to push on the end of the guitar and create leverage pressure against your fretting hand. One thing that was hard for me to do, was to learn I didn’t have to hold the pressure all the time, but only during a strum. It is a lot easier to squeeze and release, squeeze and release that to simply hold.

I hope this helps. Just don’t give up. And always remember, you can play partial barre chords. This can help to build up to full barre chords while your strength and coordination are building.

MG 😀

[That_Guy]

One thing I had to learn about chords was that I was striking them with the pick way too hard causing the buzzing. Your fret hand may be fine. Try running to pick across the strings later and see if you get less buzzing to see if that’s your problem

[That_Guy]

Later = *lighter

Cant edit for some reason