Barre (or bar - barre is the correct spelling)chords essentially move the nut to another position on the neck, allowing use of the same chord form to produce other chords at different positions on the fretboard. You "barre" all 6 strings or sometimes fewer (or 7 for you 7 string users) with your index finger so that all the strings all pressed to the fretboard. You then make the chord form with your other fingers. By moving your fret hand up and down the fretboard, you create different chords. There are few limits to the types of barre chords you can create (other than the elasticity of your finger joints). Here are some of the most popular barre chord forms to get you started.

Use index finger to barre fretboard and create the chord form with other fingers.
Notice how in the root chord form (E) the nut is performing the barre function.

Some E chord form barre chords:

----E--F--G--A--B--C---D---E (CHORD NAMES)

E---0--1--3--5--7--8--10--12
B---0--1--3--5--7--8--10--12
G---1--2--4--6--8--9--11--13
D---2--3--5--7--9-10--12--14
A---2--3--5--7--9-10--12--14
E---0--1--3--5--7--8--10--12


In the E chord form, the note on the low E string being barred ID's the chord name.

Some A chord form barre chords.

This is actually a double barre chord. E.G. for a B chord, barre A D G B E strings on the second fret with your index finger and barre the B G D strings on the 4th fret with your ring finger. This one is a little tricky to learn since you have to curl the bottom of your ring finger off the high E string. For a beginner I recommend that you dont' strum the high E until you can perfect this technique.

A--B--C--D (CHORD NAMES)

0--2--3--5
2--4--5--7
2--4--5--7
2--4--5--7
0--2--3--5
x--x--x--x

In the A chord form, the root note is on the A string and signifies the chord name as you move your hand along the fretboard.

Some other chord forms that translate into barre chords easily are:

Am---Em---A7---E7
-0----0----0----0
-1----0----2----0
-2----0----0----1
-2----2----2----0
-0----2----0----2
-x----0----x----0

This should give you a good start in learning and applying barre chords to your playing.

Had to edit this a few times to get it to look decent.


[This message has been edited by John O'Carroll (edited 08-08-2000).]

[This message has been edited by John O'Carroll (edited 08-08-2000).]

[This message has been edited by John O'Carroll (edited 08-08-2000).]

[This message has been edited by John O'Carroll (edited 08-08-2000).]