Barre Chords *shudders*

[Simone]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and had a question for anyone out there. I don't know if it's just me, but barre chords are being a royal pain in my......well, you know ;) ! I was wondering if anyone can show me a barre chord in tab form and also, are there any tips on how to play them well? lol I mean without dismembering your fingers! It seems like I can't get my fingers in the right position without them cramping up after awhile. Does anyone know of any good finger exercises? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks again ;)
Simone

[James8831]

Works at any fret , say 3 (G Major)

E --3--
B --3--
G --34
D --3-5
A --3-5
E --3---

You might notice that this is an E chord shape

Proper way- hold finger nearest thumb across all strings at fret3 (daunting isn't it- i remember), put next finger at fret 4 on 3rd string, put finger 3 at fret 5 on 5th string, put your little finger at fret 5 on string 4.

Cheat- only hold down the first 2 strings with your first finger!!

Please note that i'm not brilliant at barre chords and with have been known to **** them up.

Finally .Practise,Practise,Practise or Practice,Practice,Practice - as we say over here. Try only playing barres for a short while and then go back to "ordinary chords" ,or easy to hold bits, or you will knacker your hands.

Good luck and keep,um,on keeping on.

[DiscoSamurai]

Just to briefly expand on what James8831 said about practising. When I first started learning barre chords I would alternate between barre and easier chords that way you dont cramp you hands up much. (I found G was a good chord to alternate with as it seems to stretch you hand out a bit more).

Good luck

[Simone]

Thanks alot for the replies, I'll try those... :)

[friskynibbles]

I cheat like James.
-Daniel

[Rainking]

When you practice a Barre, you should begin with holding the neck almost vertical, so that your hands recieve more blood.
Now you have more power in your hands to execute your barre.

[trenchcoat]

If Daniel and frisky "cheats", what do you do about the 6th string?

[James8831]

..trenchcoat - I know it's not absolutely perfect, but you can play the 6th string with your thumb or kind of hope the 1st string rings out well enough to cover the root note. I only suggest you use the cheat of leaving the 6th until your hands are strong enough to hold it. it seems better at first to play an approximation of the chord well than to C_ock up a "perfectly" formed chord. I know this is half assed, and, i know little about music theory but it's a "work around" that allows you to play barres reasonably well and concentrate on changing position and the more interesting stuff on the guitar. :)

[trenchcoat]

Hehe.. I see.... I've played for 2 years almost exactly and I do the barres pretty exact, including the root note. Perhaps that makes me 1337 :)