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.