Barre chords

Every time I try barring, even on the 12th fret which is the easiest fret to barre on,  I can never get the g, b, and high e strings to produce any noise. Do I just need more finger muscle or something, or do I need to do something different in how I am barring them? 

Everyone struggles with these.

These chords are a combination of finger strength and positioning. The better your index finger is positioned, the less strength will be required. This is trial and error.

I would actually start on the 5th fret, there is more room for the other fingers to work with up there and you won't have to worry about being so tidy with those other fingers.  

But to start, try just getting your index finger down and aim for clear notes across the neck. This is the most important finger. Then drop the others but making sure your notes are clear each time. Go as slow as you need to and practice a lot. Maybe like 20 times a day. You will start to see improvements.

Guitar is a lot of consistent repetition of the same exercises until they become natural movements. How long this takes, depends on how much we practice and inherent ability. 

good luck

Thank you. There are quite a few songs that I want to learn that have barre chords, so this info will be very helpful. Right now I'm learning Boulevard of broken dreams by green day. It's a pretty simple song except for the barre chords in it. 

You’re welcome, good luck with the song

I’m really struggling with the A Major Barre chords. I appreciate the cheat methods, but hoping to get it right the first time. Can’t seem to get all my three fingers comfortably across the D, G and B strings, especially as the frets get smaller. The ring finger technique seems like my only option, but these older fingers of mine aren’t always that flexible! 

For what it is worth I had the action lowered on both my acoustic and electric guitars. Immediate improvement in my ability to barre.

Hope it helps