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STEP 2: Click the "PLAY" tab below the video to play along with Tony until you can do it on your own.
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Responses
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Day 2 – ‘E’ Shape Familiarity
Responses
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B and high E were pretty much no goes. Couldn’t figure out a good position of my index finger. Will keep working.
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ARGHH! The more I tried to play the F chord, the worse it sounded. My main problem seems to be if I can get the top 5 strings to sound clean, the low F sounds clunky. I experimented with different finger placements but did not come up with a consistent way to make the F chord. Either the B and E sound weak or the low E sounds clunky. This will need more work.
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It is a struggle with the B and high E. I could get it occasionally but it was buzzy. Slow improvement is improvement. I will get there one day.
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I’ll amen on the B string though it’s coming along. Wrist is burning!
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Small win today, G string was muted yesterday, today it sounds good!
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B string is my only dud. Will keep trying to find the right positioning and pressure to apply to my index finger.
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Get it but I’m surprised how quickly my fretting hand tires.
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Challenge to have fingers in correct position. the reach is too great from 1st to 3rd fret. will keep trying.
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B string is very difficult for me to get clear tone. baby steps…..I hope
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Buzzing/muting every string and I can’t even reach the low E string. Oh well. But I did find an easier F triad I can add to my toolbox.
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Tres Boring
Then I remember why I picked up the guitar…to rehabilitate my left hand…so just what the doctor ordered…very happy with my performance on barre chords , so far -
Much better than a year ago! Small Win. Still have buzzing with the B string. Repetition over the months has helped make these more comfortable with all the Barre chords. My issue now is putting down a barre chord fast enough in a song…..need to learn to lay down all 5 fingers at once instead of one at a time!
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Question: Is this really worth it ???
Remember, one barre chord shape equals 12 chords in your pocket š
Answer: YES !!!
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Like others, I am having some trouble with the B string. I have to strengthen my barre finger. Yes, I feel the burn. Slow progress is still progress.
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I got Big Barre F grooves in my left hand, started out clear but after a while got muddy!
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This one was very difficult for me. Could not get the B string to work and also sometimes the high E string wouldnāt work either. Going to take a break and come back later.
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B-string is rough. I’m also somehow muting the D-string with my pinky for the barre chord. So I’ve got a lot of work to do!
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Been playing barre cords for over 60 years but cross picking for less than a year. As long as I’m not on a C shape, I’m comfortable.
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Feel the burn!!
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For the past 2 weeks I’m having problems with the lesson video dropping after about a minute.
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I had this happen too awhile back. I tried backing up to the last lesson. Let it play for a bit. Then go back to the new days lesson.
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Still don’t have the strength to create clear notes when fingers in barred position. Low E buzzes and B and high E are muted. I try to regularly play songs with barre chords (Hotel California is one) but I suspect that clear barre chords are a better thought of as a long-term goal.
-
My “B” is buzzy. This is a good practice for pick-on-the-correct string.
-
Good lesson. Sore hand and fingers.
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Ouch my forearm burns! I look forward to getting a terrifying grip eventually
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I found if I use the side of my index finger to bar that the high E and B string rang better, than trying to use my fingertip on the low E string.
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So much better than last year! I actually like barre chord week! It’s strength building and an opportunity to really focus on your fretting technique.
Get out those nail clippers, can’t have long nails for these challenges! -
Clear and clean!
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Ouch on the B and High E string! Had to press the fretboard against my index finger to get it to ring clear. And yes, my fingers did cramp up after a few times at it! Ouch again!!
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yeahhhhh, about bar chords… i tried em, not my time yet! lol so this week i am focused on some of the other fingerpicking exercises you have published instead.
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I’m feeling worn out with this one. I tend to squeeze harder when I get the buzz or muting on a string. I think Its more about position rather than squezzing harder. I try to keep my thumb more towards being behind my ring finger on back of fret board and am moving my idea finger around rather than grasping harder. Really focusing on least amount of pressure to get it clear sounding. I will confess to cheating by doing this on my Telecaster
-
Actually looking forward to playing this exercise. They are no longer the “dreaded” barre chords because i can play them thanks to TAC! I found it helpful to work on learning a couple of songs I enjoy that have barre chords in them (I chose “Leader of the Band” and “City of New Orleans,” to learn the Bm barre chord.) Hand will still burn a little and fatigue but the chords sound pretty good.
We hit the road early to drive from CA to CO. When the road is straight and smooth, I’ll hop in the back seat to play through this challenge. -
If not quickly, I can usually hit a barre chord so all strings ring out. A few repetitions of this exercise and that fell apart (mostly the āBā string), exposing the weakness of the muscle group between thumb and index finger! Iām adding this exercise to the list of things that I regularly practice.
-
E form F chord first position on an acoustic guitar is tough. I’d play the exercise two or three then and then rest during which I watched Tonys fingers when he plays this exercise. My low E and B string need some work which I wasn’t aware of until now. I usually comment after I finish the exercise but today, I stopped to comment and will return for a few more tries. Good luck guys.
-
Good exercise!
-
I found the exercise much easier (and far more comfortable) when I slid over to the third fret (G chord, right?). Something about the third digit of my index finger really doesn’t like fretting the b string when playing the F chord — I slid my long finger all up and down the fret trying to find the right position and couldn’t finger a comfortable spot (or, frankly, reliable results)
-
“I do believe I’m feelin’ stronger every day. Yeah, yeah, yeah…”
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A good exercise and I too feel that cramping/burning pain in my forearm. Like Tony, the B string is my most difficult to pluck clearly, but only for the F chord. Anyone know why that is?
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This was so hard a few years ago- now this is an easy exercise rest day—- reps, got to put in your reps then it does feel easy…..stick with it
-
I think my index finger is going to start looking like a foot! For me this xcersize works.
-
I am able to complete the exercise but find it hard to do it more than twice before my fingers and thumb start to ache, I think it will take some time and practice to get comfortable
-
Burning forearmā¦thatās good! No pain, no gain. Iām gaining!!
-
Been trying to play barre chords for 50 years. Wrist just not supple enough to play the notes cleanly. Iāll just have to keep playing without the low E.
-
My finger and forearm are burning. I can tell that my arm is getting stronger though. So definitely a win.
-
Enlightening. Realized that I get a cleaner sound if I keep a bit of a curve in the index finger. That way, the high and low E, and the B string, are held more closely to the fret board.
-
See you next week. LOL.
-
It helps me if I give my fretting arm a good shake after each play through.
-
I agree HowardM, When I first started doing these barre chord exercises i hated them. Now they are interesting and challenging but not impossible to become comfortable with. Repetition over the months has helped make these more comfortable. If you continue these exercises over the next few weeks you will be surprised with how much more comfortable the dreaded barre chords become.
-
This exercise is interesting and challenging. I enjoy going through the fundamentals of barre chords. I hope everyone is doing well, and I can’t wait to read the comments.
-
that B vibration gets me every time. I need longer fingers !!
-
Whoo! 5 minutes was all I could do… Good strengthening exercise
Congratulations, !
Challenge complete
Come back tomorrow for your next challenge
B and high E were pretty much no goes. Couldn’t figure out a good position of my index finger. Will keep working.
ARGHH! The more I tried to play the F chord, the worse it sounded. My main problem seems to be if I can get the top 5 strings to sound clean, the low F sounds clunky. I experimented with different finger placements but did not come up with a consistent way to make the F chord. Either the B and E sound weak or the low E sounds clunky. This will need more work.
It is a struggle with the B and high E. I could get it occasionally but it was buzzy. Slow improvement is improvement. I will get there one day.
I’ll amen on the B string though it’s coming along. Wrist is burning!
Small win today, G string was muted yesterday, today it sounds good!
B string is my only dud. Will keep trying to find the right positioning and pressure to apply to my index finger.
Get it but I’m surprised how quickly my fretting hand tires.
Challenge to have fingers in correct position. the reach is too great from 1st to 3rd fret. will keep trying.
B string is very difficult for me to get clear tone. baby steps…..I hope
Buzzing/muting every string and I can’t even reach the low E string. Oh well. But I did find an easier F triad I can add to my toolbox.
Tres Boring
Then I remember why I picked up the guitar…to rehabilitate my left hand…so just what the doctor ordered…very happy with my performance on barre chords , so far
Much better than a year ago! Small Win. Still have buzzing with the B string. Repetition over the months has helped make these more comfortable with all the Barre chords. My issue now is putting down a barre chord fast enough in a song…..need to learn to lay down all 5 fingers at once instead of one at a time!
Question: Is this really worth it ???
Remember, one barre chord shape equals 12 chords in your pocket š
Answer: YES !!!
Like others, I am having some trouble with the B string. I have to strengthen my barre finger. Yes, I feel the burn. Slow progress is still progress.
I got Big Barre F grooves in my left hand, started out clear but after a while got muddy!
This one was very difficult for me. Could not get the B string to work and also sometimes the high E string wouldnāt work either. Going to take a break and come back later.
B-string is rough. I’m also somehow muting the D-string with my pinky for the barre chord. So I’ve got a lot of work to do!
Been playing barre cords for over 60 years but cross picking for less than a year. As long as I’m not on a C shape, I’m comfortable.
Feel the burn!!
For the past 2 weeks I’m having problems with the lesson video dropping after about a minute.
I had this happen too awhile back. I tried backing up to the last lesson. Let it play for a bit. Then go back to the new days lesson.
Still don’t have the strength to create clear notes when fingers in barred position. Low E buzzes and B and high E are muted. I try to regularly play songs with barre chords (Hotel California is one) but I suspect that clear barre chords are a better thought of as a long-term goal.
My “B” is buzzy. This is a good practice for pick-on-the-correct string.
Good lesson. Sore hand and fingers.
Ouch my forearm burns! I look forward to getting a terrifying grip eventually
I found if I use the side of my index finger to bar that the high E and B string rang better, than trying to use my fingertip on the low E string.
So much better than last year! I actually like barre chord week! It’s strength building and an opportunity to really focus on your fretting technique.
Get out those nail clippers, can’t have long nails for these challenges!
Clear and clean!
Ouch on the B and High E string! Had to press the fretboard against my index finger to get it to ring clear. And yes, my fingers did cramp up after a few times at it! Ouch again!!
yeahhhhh, about bar chords… i tried em, not my time yet! lol so this week i am focused on some of the other fingerpicking exercises you have published instead.
I’m feeling worn out with this one. I tend to squeeze harder when I get the buzz or muting on a string. I think Its more about position rather than squezzing harder. I try to keep my thumb more towards being behind my ring finger on back of fret board and am moving my idea finger around rather than grasping harder. Really focusing on least amount of pressure to get it clear sounding. I will confess to cheating by doing this on my Telecaster
Actually looking forward to playing this exercise. They are no longer the “dreaded” barre chords because i can play them thanks to TAC! I found it helpful to work on learning a couple of songs I enjoy that have barre chords in them (I chose “Leader of the Band” and “City of New Orleans,” to learn the Bm barre chord.) Hand will still burn a little and fatigue but the chords sound pretty good.
We hit the road early to drive from CA to CO. When the road is straight and smooth, I’ll hop in the back seat to play through this challenge.
If not quickly, I can usually hit a barre chord so all strings ring out. A few repetitions of this exercise and that fell apart (mostly the āBā string), exposing the weakness of the muscle group between thumb and index finger! Iām adding this exercise to the list of things that I regularly practice.
E form F chord first position on an acoustic guitar is tough. I’d play the exercise two or three then and then rest during which I watched Tonys fingers when he plays this exercise. My low E and B string need some work which I wasn’t aware of until now. I usually comment after I finish the exercise but today, I stopped to comment and will return for a few more tries. Good luck guys.
Good exercise!
I found the exercise much easier (and far more comfortable) when I slid over to the third fret (G chord, right?). Something about the third digit of my index finger really doesn’t like fretting the b string when playing the F chord — I slid my long finger all up and down the fret trying to find the right position and couldn’t finger a comfortable spot (or, frankly, reliable results)
“I do believe I’m feelin’ stronger every day. Yeah, yeah, yeah…”
A good exercise and I too feel that cramping/burning pain in my forearm. Like Tony, the B string is my most difficult to pluck clearly, but only for the F chord. Anyone know why that is?
This was so hard a few years ago- now this is an easy exercise rest day—- reps, got to put in your reps then it does feel easy…..stick with it
I think my index finger is going to start looking like a foot! For me this xcersize works.
I am able to complete the exercise but find it hard to do it more than twice before my fingers and thumb start to ache, I think it will take some time and practice to get comfortable
Burning forearmā¦thatās good! No pain, no gain. Iām gaining!!
Been trying to play barre chords for 50 years. Wrist just not supple enough to play the notes cleanly. Iāll just have to keep playing without the low E.
My finger and forearm are burning. I can tell that my arm is getting stronger though. So definitely a win.
Enlightening. Realized that I get a cleaner sound if I keep a bit of a curve in the index finger. That way, the high and low E, and the B string, are held more closely to the fret board.
See you next week. LOL.
It helps me if I give my fretting arm a good shake after each play through.
I agree HowardM, When I first started doing these barre chord exercises i hated them. Now they are interesting and challenging but not impossible to become comfortable with. Repetition over the months has helped make these more comfortable. If you continue these exercises over the next few weeks you will be surprised with how much more comfortable the dreaded barre chords become.
This exercise is interesting and challenging. I enjoy going through the fundamentals of barre chords. I hope everyone is doing well, and I can’t wait to read the comments.
that B vibration gets me every time. I need longer fingers !!
Whoo! 5 minutes was all I could do… Good strengthening exercise