Is It OK to Skip the Barr Chords?

My index finger is too short to make them. Rock will be my style. Can I skip them? I hope?

It took me a while before I started focusing on them because they just seemed so difficult. It's probably more your hand strength and flexibility that's causing you problems, particularly if you're fairly new at it.

I'd say you'll definitely want to play them at some point, so don't give up entirely. You'll need to reach over to the E and A strings anyway for power chords and open chords, so you won't ever be able to escape the stretch completely.

Originally Posted by: leslieeganMy index finger is too short to make them. Rock will be my style. Can I skip them? I hope?

You practically can't have one without the other.

If you think your index finger is too short to reach the E string......then you won't be playing many songs on the guitar. You just need to practice.

Besides, they a probably the most useful chord formation you will ever learn. Seriously.

I bet I have shorter fingers than you, anyway. I've been thought this with other posters. Nobody has beat me for shortest fingers yet! :)

Originally Posted by: RazboBesides, they a probably the most useful chord formation you will ever learn. Seriously.

I bet I have shorter fingers than you, anyway. I've been thought this with other posters. Nobody has beat me for shortest fingers yet! :)

*hehe*
Well it's really true. I just want to affirm that it's really a useful chord that we can learn. It's also true that we often will experience that feeling of skepticism, if we are able to make it or not. So solution? Perseverance and practice. It may sound so common but it still works. I've friends who thought they couldn't learn guitar because of their short fingers but heck it was absolutely a wrong impression. Now they play great! :) So don't give up. You will for sure make it.

Cheers!

You can get by with just power chords to keep your momentum going but don't give up on the barre chords, you'll be able to really broaden your playing capabilities with barre chords under your belt.

Persistence IS the key! :)

Thanks everyone for your encouragement! I am glad to know that short fingers might not rule me out...