Not an expert. 6 months in.

All the barre chords look as if they just lay their finger across the fret. There's a lot more going on.

The finger has to be behind the fret but near the fret. Same as if your making a single note.

The thumb is down and behind giving something to push against. [br]It's hardest at the first frets. Try just doing the one finger higher up the neck. [br]I now make a C shape or an Am shape then just lay the first finger back down against the E string. [br][br]

If it's finger strength an exercise is to press. Only as you strum and release.

1 strum, then 2 then 3. Treat it like gym work for your finger. Press, release,press,release.

You can do this with a full barre finger.

Start up the neck and move back down in steps if your strings ring clear[br]Maybe just 3 strings, then 4 and 5.

This gives us a measure against our improvements rather than repeat trying and failing. [br][br]

Don't let the frustrations get you down it does improve but it is slow and steady. [br][br]

As a last thing, the acoustic is much more difficult to make the barres sound across all strings.

Just how it is. [br][br]

Somebody more experienced will be along to post but sometimes it takes a while depending who is around.

They'll all tell you, practice,practice. No quick way round it.

Dave