barre chords

Hello people,
New here and a beginner on the guitar, i am having a really hard time with playing barre chords i just can't seem to keep my index finger on all the strings, any tricks? or help i would be very grateful

Rick and J0-Jo

Quick lilttle tip for barre chords.

Start with this chord:

-0-
-0-
-6-
-7-
-7-
-5-

That will put your fingers in the right position and not sound harsh. keep practicing that for awhile and work towards bringing your index finger across to complete the barre.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it really is just a matter of time. Keep working with them and your fingers will gradually get stronger. The cool thing is that it's like riding a bike, once you've got, you've always got it!

CAP,

I have been playing for about 6 months. Everything I read about barre chords said the same thing - they are hard, take time and you will get there. I've have been going through about 5-10 minutes of the exercises here, every day, in Guitar Fundamentals on barre chords and am making steady progress. For me, I practice with consistency (daily) but for short duration (before the frustration kicks in). After that I move onto something else.

Just last week I came across a song that is supposed to be a good oine to practice barre chords with - The Weight by The Band. Only 3 barre chords but a fun way to practice (since I like the song).

I logged on today to ask this exact question. I learned the F chord yesterday and no matter how hard I press down, I'm still muting the 1st string and it's FRUSTRATING. I remember when I asked advice on here for the A chord and now that doesn't seem so hard, so I'm hopiong with practice this barre chord just comes too. Good luck, keep us posted of your progress.

OK, I know I said a couple days ago I was confident with practice I could get this barre chord thing down since my A major chord is now played effortlessly, BUT well, I just don't see how. Everytime I barre those two strings, the E string is muted and it's driving me batty!. I finally tried using my index and middle finger on the e and b string and then my ring finger on the G string and pinky on the D string and that at least gives me the sound I'm hoping for, but it takes a little bit to get there. I think I have better luck learning it that way than ever being able to barre. I don't think my finger pad is large enough nor my hand strong enough. I'll keep practicing it the right way, but I'm a girl playing an acoustic guitar so the strings seems harder to push down as it is. I wonder if other women guitar players have this problem? Are there any women guitar players out there?

Originally Posted by: terra25OK, I know I said a couple days ago I was confident with practice I could get this barre chord thing down since my A major chord is now played effortlessly, BUT well, I just don't see how. Everytime I barre those two strings, the E string is muted and it's driving me batty!. I finally tried using my index and middle finger on the e and b string and then my ring finger on the G string and pinky on the D string and that at least gives me the sound I'm hoping for, but it takes a little bit to get there. I think I have better luck learning it that way than ever being able to barre. I don't think my finger pad is large enough nor my hand strong enough. I'll keep practicing it the right way, but I'm a girl playing an acoustic guitar so the strings seems harder to push down as it is. I wonder if other women guitar players have this problem? Are there any women guitar players out there?

terra,

Check out my above advice for barre chords. In my experience, most peoples frustration, both men and women (on both acoustic and electric), with barre chords comes from their left hand not being in the right position. Start with the above chord and gradually work towards lowering your index finger to the barre position.

You could also play that shape on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 12th frets with the open high e and B strings ringing and it won't sound harsh.

Jon,
I saw your post, previously, but I don't know if I know what you mean. I should be putting my index finger on the G-6, then barre with my middle finger on the D and A-7, with ring finger on A-6? I'm not with my guitar right now, but that seems alarming. Am I reading that wrong?

Originally Posted by: terra25Jon,
I saw your post, previously, but I don't know if I know what you mean. I should be putting my index finger on the G-6, then barre with my middle finger on the D and A-7, with ring finger on A-6? I'm not with my guitar right now, but that seems alarming. Am I reading that wrong?

Hi Terra,

Sorry for any confusion. Here's what I mean

-0-
-0-
-6- middle finger
-7- pinky finger
-7- ring finger
-5- index finger

Doing that will put your hand in the correct formation for barre chords. Practice that for awhile and eventually start lowering your index finger to a full barre position.

Originally Posted by: terra25OK, I know I said a couple days ago I was confident with practice I could get this barre chord thing down since my A major chord is now played effortlessly, BUT well, I just don't see how. Everytime I barre those two strings, the E string is muted and it's driving me batty!. I finally tried using my index and middle finger on the e and b string and then my ring finger on the G string and pinky on the D string and that at least gives me the sound I'm hoping for, but it takes a little bit to get there. I think I have better luck learning it that way than ever being able to barre. I don't think my finger pad is large enough nor my hand strong enough. I'll keep practicing it the right way, but I'm a girl playing an acoustic guitar so the strings seems harder to push down as it is. I wonder if other women guitar players have this problem? Are there any women guitar players out there?

You bet there are women guitar players out there..I know I'm one of them! ;) Everyone struggles with barre chords, but you will get them. Your hand will eventually build up the strength. Try using the side of your barring finger. Also as you are using an acoustic, the action is a bit higher and the strings a bit heavier than on an electric (which is my weapon of choice) So, you may want to have a go on an electric and see if that is any easier for you. It could be the action is too high on your guitar and that may make it harder for you to get the barre down. Don't get discouraged, you will get it. I know I struggled with them for a long time, but once I got them down I had them for good!