Any Suggestions?

Hi there,
I am very new to guitar tricks, I joined to see if they could help in expanding my playing ability. I have played for quite some time but, my problem is, I have only a few songs in my bag if you know what I mean. I want to learn to branch out. I am o.k with rythm but, my problem lies with barre chords and being able to stretch my fingers. Any suggestions? I am currently in fundementals 2 and it seems to help out. Anyway, just thought I would say hello.

Try playing the rock part of Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven, it's chords progresses on the simple Am/G/F and back. It's an enjoyable song to practice barre chords. Also you can try the Eye of the Tiger..
I don't know any magical tricks for playing barres but at least with these song, I think you might enjoy your fingers' suffering.. :)

Good luck!

Originally Posted by: crockyHi there,
I am very new to guitar tricks, I joined to see if they could help in expanding my playing ability. I have played for quite some time but, my problem is, I have only a few songs in my bag if you know what I mean. I want to learn to branch out. I am o.k with rythm but, my problem lies with barre chords and being able to stretch my fingers. Any suggestions? I am currently in fundementals 2 and it seems to help out. Anyway, just thought I would say hello.

What's difficult (if you can explain) about holding the chords? Kinda hard to explain I 'spose but what to do depends on your struggle. You'd said something about the 'stretch', do you mean like you are have trouble with 'fretting' the chord like holding it down and not have you finger hit the frets (thus making it buzz)? Kinda like it's hard to get the space far enough between the index finger and the ring/pinky to confidently hold down the chord and not struggle with holding it 'wide enough'?

Originally Posted by: crockyHi there,
I am very new to guitar tricks, I joined to see if they could help in expanding my playing ability. I have played for quite some time but, my problem is, I have only a few songs in my bag if you know what I mean. I want to learn to branch out. I am o.k with rythm but, my problem lies with barre chords and being able to stretch my fingers. Any suggestions? I am currently in fundementals 2 and it seems to help out. Anyway, just thought I would say hello.

If you slide the Barre chord shape further up the neck - the frets are much closer together and not such a stretch - when you have mastered the shape higher up -you can slide it back down and it should be easier

Originally Posted by: pamjeffWhat's difficult (if you can explain) about holding the chords? Kinda hard to explain I 'spose but what to do depends on your struggle. You'd said something about the 'stretch', do you mean like you are have trouble with 'fretting' the chord like holding it down and not have you finger hit the frets (thus making it buzz)? Kinda like it's hard to get the space far enough between the index finger and the ring/pinky to confidently hold down the chord and not struggle with holding it 'wide enough'?

Hey there,
Ya, I just find it hard to stretch with the pinky. It is hard to explain, I just need a lot of work at it. I have to concentrate at playing more barre chords so they become more natural. Thanks for trying to understand.

Thanks for the input, I will give everything a go and hopefully see some magic happen. :)