The Bar Chords (or Barre Chord) are the ones played with the Bar Technique. It is indeed a quite challenging and difficult technique to achieve and sometimes can take up to a month for the Chords to start sounding good. What exactly means Bar chord?
In this Technique the index will be playing two or more strings at the same time (within the same fret). It’s really important that:
- The Thumb must be placed straight behind the neck. This is the key point if you want to succeed. By keeping the thumb in the right position, you will be able to apply enough pressure and maintain Control. Use the thumb in a wrong way and you will never get to play bar chords.
- Keep the Index Finger straight on the Fret and apply pressure on all the strings. You will notice that third and second string are usually buzzing or completely muffled. Look closely and you will notice a little arch right on the second an third string. Start working on that !!! Make sure you are pressing all the strings. I know it’s hard, but I will show you couple of exercises that will help you to fix that.
I would recommend you to start with the F Minor Chord which use a E minor shape. Check out the Bar Chords Diagram here. Remember to take things step by step. The Most Important Thing !!! When you practice the bar chord, take short breaks every one or two minutes. Don’t stress your tendons and muscle too much !!!
Let’s get into details !!!
- F Major Chord: This chord uses a E major shape chord one fret up and Bar on the First Fret.
- F Minor Chord: E minor shape moved one fret up and, as F major, bar on the first fret with Index finger.
- B Major Chord: This chord is quite challenging. It uses a A major shape two frets up and bar on second fret. The first string never sounds right. To be honest with you … I don’t play this chord with the bar and I usually leave the First string out !!! Does it make me a bad person??
- B Minor Chord: Much easier that the B major, this chord will use a A minor shape two frets up and bar on the second fret.
