It is exam time, wahoo!!!
Do not worry this is not a pass/fail situation.
This exercise is simply meant to work on a few aspects of the E shaped barre chord. The first aspect will be stamina, holding the barre chord for a long time will help with strength and also defining the overall balance necessary on the fretting hand.
The second aspect of this exercise is overall string clarity, by going through the exercise in quarter notes and eighth notes, you will identify which strings may be giving you problems and can further refine your approach.
Working with this exercise will take your E shaped barre chord to a whole new level of clarity and sonic awesomeness.
Try this guitar challenge
STEP 1: Watch the video to learn the bite-sized piece of music
STEP 2: Click the “PLAY” tab below the video to play along with Tony until you can do it on your own.
Like this lesson? Join Tony’s Acoustic Challenge to keep going!
Responses
You’ve been invited to experience Tony’s Acoustic Challenge
Stop Dabbling, Start Playing
GET STARTED
Watch the free class to discover the fun guitar learning method used by over 35,000 students to learn guitar through nostalgic songs from the 60s and 70s.
Responses
-
After practicing this for some time, I T’S STILL TOUGH!
I’d give myself a D for execution but I know where my fingers go and understand it, so, I’ll give myself a C for showing up. And that’s being generous lol -
I thought I had this down. But after I play through it once, my fretting hand cramps and I cannot hold the right pressure to play clean notes. Good one Tony! I’ll get there!
-
Moving on, but I need to practice this cord. every day.
-
I can only get the b string clear for a very short time. I will keep practicing.
-
I’m having a lot of trouble holding the index finger in position long enough to get clarity on the strings.I guess i’ll have to do more strength exercises untill i get there.
-
barre chords still giving me fits.
-
This is titled E shape but you are teaching F cord and exercise. I still like how you are teaching the cord no matter title. Very clear and understandable direction.
-
I totally flunked. I have difficulty folding up my middle finger due to mild arthritis and my fingers are short so they don’t arch well. More strength might help some, but I don’t have high hopes for that. I have the same trouble with the mini-F and the C chord, though they are improving little by little.
-
I got a guitar with a shorter scale length (Martin Dreadnought Jr.). Now I can play the full F chord. Alternately, you can warm up your fingers … see Tony’s stretching exercises in the Skill Courses.
-
-
Excellent instruction. As a teacher of more than 40 years experience, as you can imagine I have been around the block a few times. Full marks for the meta cognitive approach and delivery. chapeau!
-
My index finger just does not go that way
-
E shape all good
-
B string almost impossible to ring out clearly
-
I had 1 clean F chord. End on a good note. Time to bring in the New Year 2024.
PEACE -
This will be a regular exercise
-
lol I hate the f chord muffled b string at times
-
Tough on the thumb and index but sounds clear
-
My hand is sore between my index finger and thumb but I made it through with pretty clear notes!
-
Clarity!! I’m so happy right now! Lol
-
Still have a muffled G note
-
Much better than when I began and made it to 1.5 before my hand and wrist gave out. I passed the E Shape exam, thank you Tony!!!!
-
Made good progress on my barre chords today. Found that one of my guitars was much easier to have clear barre chords. Love my Alvarez!!!!
-
Been working on these cords for over a year and finally having a small win. Need to keep at them for clarity.
-
It is still a problem in getting solid sound on the G and B. Need to do this as a warm-up every day.
-
OK, I’ll have to play with this for awile my index finger is still not putting pressure on the B-E string and at times the “G” string is dead too. I will practice this too as I go along with this course
-
this is a true challenge….I am not a fan of these chords but practice I will
-
Me too it’s hard not afraid to admit it!
-
-
Getting better I can get about 20 or 25 before my thumb gives out now.
-
I am having fun with this it is easier turning your index finger a bit chord sounds a lot cleaner. I am all over the neck with this bar
-
After a few minutes I can feel this in the forearm of my fretting hand. Did it up and down the neck just for fun.
-
I just got an F in that exam !
-
That B string is a real thorn in my side….Gonna keep hacking away at it tho
-
No, no way is it easier than the B Barre. My thumb joint is killing me after this one. In fact I took a small break halfway thru to rest my hand.
-
Just dont have the flexibilty. but I am sure it will get better with practice
-
Sorta like barbells for barre chords ! Feel that one !
-
I actually find the F easier than the B shape is that weird?
-
I agree!
-
oh I totally agree….MUCH easier for me
-
Congratulations, !
Challenge complete
Come back tomorrow for your next challenge
After practicing this for some time, I T’S STILL TOUGH!
I’d give myself a D for execution but I know where my fingers go and understand it, so, I’ll give myself a C for showing up. And that’s being generous lol
I thought I had this down. But after I play through it once, my fretting hand cramps and I cannot hold the right pressure to play clean notes. Good one Tony! I’ll get there!
Moving on, but I need to practice this cord. every day.
I can only get the b string clear for a very short time. I will keep practicing.
I’m having a lot of trouble holding the index finger in position long enough to get clarity on the strings.I guess i’ll have to do more strength exercises untill i get there.
barre chords still giving me fits.
This is titled E shape but you are teaching F cord and exercise. I still like how you are teaching the cord no matter title. Very clear and understandable direction.
I totally flunked. I have difficulty folding up my middle finger due to mild arthritis and my fingers are short so they don’t arch well. More strength might help some, but I don’t have high hopes for that. I have the same trouble with the mini-F and the C chord, though they are improving little by little.
I got a guitar with a shorter scale length (Martin Dreadnought Jr.). Now I can play the full F chord. Alternately, you can warm up your fingers … see Tony’s stretching exercises in the Skill Courses.
Excellent instruction. As a teacher of more than 40 years experience, as you can imagine I have been around the block a few times. Full marks for the meta cognitive approach and delivery. chapeau!
My index finger just does not go that way
E shape all good
B string almost impossible to ring out clearly
I had 1 clean F chord. End on a good note. Time to bring in the New Year 2024.
PEACE
This will be a regular exercise
lol I hate the f chord muffled b string at times
Tough on the thumb and index but sounds clear
My hand is sore between my index finger and thumb but I made it through with pretty clear notes!
Clarity!! I’m so happy right now! Lol
Still have a muffled G note
Much better than when I began and made it to 1.5 before my hand and wrist gave out. I passed the E Shape exam, thank you Tony!!!!
Made good progress on my barre chords today. Found that one of my guitars was much easier to have clear barre chords. Love my Alvarez!!!!
Been working on these cords for over a year and finally having a small win. Need to keep at them for clarity.
It is still a problem in getting solid sound on the G and B. Need to do this as a warm-up every day.
OK, I’ll have to play with this for awile my index finger is still not putting pressure on the B-E string and at times the “G” string is dead too. I will practice this too as I go along with this course
this is a true challenge….I am not a fan of these chords but practice I will
Me too it’s hard not afraid to admit it!
Getting better I can get about 20 or 25 before my thumb gives out now.
I am having fun with this it is easier turning your index finger a bit chord sounds a lot cleaner. I am all over the neck with this bar
After a few minutes I can feel this in the forearm of my fretting hand. Did it up and down the neck just for fun.
I just got an F in that exam !
That B string is a real thorn in my side….Gonna keep hacking away at it tho
No, no way is it easier than the B Barre. My thumb joint is killing me after this one. In fact I took a small break halfway thru to rest my hand.
Just dont have the flexibilty. but I am sure it will get better with practice
Sorta like barbells for barre chords ! Feel that one !
I actually find the F easier than the B shape is that weird?
I agree!
oh I totally agree….MUCH easier for me