how to play guitar barre chords

1. what are barre chords?

Barre (or Bar) is a French term used to describe the method of using an index finger to create a “bar” across the strings. For guitar, a Barre Chord is simply when you use one finger to press multiple strings at the same time. In doing so you create a “bar” like shape across a singular fret. The most common are the 6th and 5th string Barre Chords that combine the 1st finger “bar” with the other fingers 2, 3, and 4 to make a full chord.

2. notes on the guitar neck

Chords get their names based off the root note of the chord (ie. If you are playing a G chord, the root note would be G.) For your 6th String Barre Chords, the root note can be found on the 6th string. For 5th String Barre Chords, the root note is found on the 5th string. So before you start learning the chord shapes, you will need to understand the notes of the guitar.

Starting with String 6 open, this will be E. Then move to fret 1, this note will be F. Next skipping a fret, head to fret 3, this will be G. Skipping a fret again move to fret 5, and you have found A. Moving to fret 7, you have the B note. Now this time just moving one fret to fret 8, is the C note. Back to skipping, you move to fret 10 to find D. Lastly, you move up to fret 12, you have E again!

Now do the same with String 5. Starting with String 5 open, this is A. Then move to fret 2, this note will be B. Next just moving one fret, head to fret 3, this will be C. Skipping a fret again move to fret 5, and you have found D. Moving to fret 7, you have the E note. Now this time just moving one fret to fret 8, is the F note. Back to skipping, you move to fret 10 to find G. Lastly, you move up to fret 12, you have A again!

3. how to strengthen your fretting hand

There are a lot of exercises you can do to help build up the strength of your Fretting Hand. Even practicing your chord shapes builds up muscle and conditions your hand so that next time you try it is easier.

Try fretting a chord, pull your fingers off and open your hand as far as it goes, then come back to that chord. Repeat this exercise at least 5 times, and you will notice it will start to become a little easier and more natural feeling.  Gently stretching  your hand and wrist is a great way to relieve the muscles in your hand before and after you play.

You can also purchase hand grippers to help you gain more grip strength.

4. 6TH STRING MAJOR & MINOR BARRE CHORDS

Now that you understand the notes for strings 6 and 5, you can begin to learn the first Barre Chord shapes. When first learning the Barre Chord shapes, start in fret 5 to make barring the chords easier.  First, locate fret 5 on the guitar. Next take finger 1 and stretch it across all the strings on fret 5, and press down hard, and flat. This creates the “bar”.

(You should be able to strum down each string and hear a clean sound. If you hear a buzzing sound, go string by string until you find it and then adjust your finger pressure until it sounds clean)

‍Next, while still barring fret 5, take finger 2 and place it on string 3, fret 6. Still holding finger 1 and 2 in place, take finger 3 and place it on string 5, fret 7. Lastly, add finger 4 (pinky) and place it on string 4, fret 7.

(If you know open chords, you will notice this is similar to E, but adding a “bar” in place of the nut.)

Strum strings 6 through 1, and adjust your hand if you hear buzzing. Since the root note of the 6th string barre chord is the 6th string, and you are playing in fret 5, this shape would be the A Major (A) Barre Chord.

Luckily, to make this an A Minor (Am) Barre Chord, all you have to do is take off finger 2. It is that easy!

(If you know your open chords, you will notice this is similar to Em, but adding a “bar” in place of the nut.)

Once you have learned and memorized both the 6th String Major and Minor shapes you can move it up and down the neck of the guitar. Use the 6th string note guide in the section above to find the root note (name) of the chord.

5. 5TH STRING MAJOR & MINOR BARRE CHORDS

After learning the 6th String Barre Chord shapes, the next step is to learn the 5th String Barre Chord shapes.

Starting again on fret 5, take finger 1 and stretch it across strings 5 through 1 and press and hold, creating the “bar”. Next, while still barring fret 5, take finger 2 and place it on string 4, fret 7. While still holding finger 1 and 2 in place, put finger 3 on string 3, fret 7. Lastly, add finger 4 (pinky) to string 2, fret 7.

(If you know open chords, you will notice this is similar to A, but adding a “bar” in place of the nut.)

‍Strum strings 5 through 1, and adjust your hand if you hear buzzing. Since the root note of the 5th string barre chord is the 5th string, and you are playing in fret 5, this shape would be the D Major (D) Barre Chord.

Now that you have learned how to play the 5th String Major Barre Chord shape, it is time to learn the Minor Barre Chord shape.

Starting again at fret 5, take finger 1 and stretch it across strings 5 through 1 and press and hold, creating your “bar.” Next, while still barring fret 5, take finger 2 and place it on string 2, fret 6. While still holding finger 1 and 2 in place, put finger 3 on string 4, fret 7. Lastly, add finger 4 (pinky) to string 3, fret 7.

(If you know open chords, you will notice this is similar to Am, but adding a “bar” in place of the nut.)

‍Strum strings 5 thru 1, and adjust your hand if you hear buzzing. Since the root note of the 5th string barre chord is the 5th string, and you are playing in fret 5, this shape would be the D Minor (Dm) Barre Chord.

6. playing 7th barre chord shapes

To play 6th String Dominant 7th and Minor 7th Barre Chords, you need to have memorized the Major and Minor shapes. To play a Dominant 7th  Barre Chord play the Major Barre Chord shape, but without finger 4 (pinky).

To play 6th String Minor 7th Barre Chord play the Minor Barre Chord shape, but without finger 4 (pinky). It is that simple!

Just like with Major and Minor Barre Chords, you can play Dominant 7th and Minor 7th on the 5th string as well. Start by getting in the 5th String Major Barre Chord shape. This time take off finger 2 and move finger 3 up to string 4.

To play a 5th String Minor 7th Barre Chord play the Minor Barre Chord shape, but without finger 4 (pinky).

7. TIPS FOR BETTER SOUNDING BARRE CHORDS

When playing Barre Chords it is easy to get discouraged. From buzzing frets to cramped hands, here are some tips to help you along the way.

Buzzing strings is a very common issue when it comes to barring frets. Maybe it is just a few strings, or perhaps the entire barre. To fix this issue, start with just barring the frets with finger 1. Go string by string making sure each string sounds clean and not buzzing. When you come across a buzzing sound, adjust finger 1 until you can hear that string nice and clear, then move to the next string. Once, you have cleared your barre from buzzing strings, you can then add your remaining fingers to the chord shape.

Pro Tip: If you are struggling with the 6th string shapes, try moving to the 5th string shapes. Barring less strings tends to be a little easier.

Pro Tip: Barre Chords can be very difficult and can strain your muscles. When your hand starts feeling fatigued, take your hand off the guitar and “shake it out” This will help the blood circulation in your hand, and relieve those tired fingers.

Pro Tip: If you are unable to either barre chord shapes. Try moving to power chords. Power chords are a simplified version of Barre Chords using only 2 or 3 fingers.