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Barre chords


1jacko.wanne
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1jacko.wanne
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07/25/2026 1:40 pm

Any advice please,I can play open C chord with straight wrist as soon as I move my first finger to barre F my wrist goes bent(happens on some others also) tried all sorts wriggling and adjustments but can’t find a solution.any ideas.Thanks Jack


# 1
KyleM.
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KyleM.
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07/25/2026 6:14 pm

That's the hardest barre, bud and normal what is happening to you. Try a mini F chord. The number is the fret; the letter is the string. You can roll from C, G, F all very easy.


e1


b1


g2


D3


Thanks for reading, and be safe. 

# 2
1jacko.wanne
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1jacko.wanne
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07/26/2026 11:47 am
#2 Originally Posted by: KyleM.

That's the hardest barre, bud and normal what is happening to you. Try a mini F chord. The number is the fret; the letter is the string. You can roll from C, G, F all very easy.


e1


b1


g2


D3

Thanks for reply,but I can play the mini F the issue is on barre chords the minute I I barre with my first finger my  wrist goes bent.this is what I’m trying to remedy.Jack.


 


# 3
William MG
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William MG
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07/26/2026 2:52 pm

Hey Jack


not sure this is possible. I know I will never be that nimble


 


https://youtube.com/shorts/dMe_o9i4pPY?si=6QTaEi0wKmjXPfDJ


One more pizza for the road!

# 4
ozzie744
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ozzie744
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07/26/2026 5:31 pm

Hi Jack, I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean, but if it is what William explained, then his video says it all.


Everyone's wrist will bend when playing barre chords. I don't think there is any way to avoid it.


Good luck.


Lou


# 5
1jacko.wanne
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1jacko.wanne
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07/26/2026 6:19 pm
#5 Originally Posted by: ozzie744

Hi Jack, I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean, but if it is what William explained, then his video says it all.


Everyone's wrist will bend when playing barre chords. I don't think there is any way to avoid it.


Good luck.


Lou

Hi Thank for reply.If a bent wrist is  normal that’s  ok, it’s just that popular mantra and endless advice keeps saying don’t play with bent wrist always play with STRAIGHT wrist, my wrist is straight on open chords but as soon as I lay my first index finger to barre  a chord my wrist goes to bent (all advice refers to carpal tunnel) Thanks Jack.


# 6
1jacko.wanne
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1jacko.wanne
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07/26/2026 6:19 pm
#5 Originally Posted by: ozzie744

Hi Jack, I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean, but if it is what William explained, then his video says it all.


Everyone's wrist will bend when playing barre chords. I don't think there is any way to avoid it.


Good luck.


Lou

Hi Thank for reply.If a bent wrist is  normal that’s  ok, it’s just that popular mantra and endless advice keeps saying don’t play with bent wrist always play with STRAIGHT wrist, my wrist is straight on open chords but as soon as I lay my first index finger to barre  a chord my wrist goes to bent (all advice refers to carpal tunnel) Thanks Jack.


# 7
William MG
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William MG
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07/26/2026 7:17 pm
#7 Originally Posted by: 1jacko.wanne

Hi Thank for reply.If a bent wrist is  normal that’s  ok, it’s just that popular mantra and endless advice keeps saying don’t play with bent wrist always play with STRAIGHT wrist, my wrist is straight on open chords but as soon as I lay my first index finger to barre  a chord my wrist goes to bent (all advice refers to carpal tunnel) Thanks Jack.

Just try and stay as relaxed as possible and try to avoid positions that build stress. I can vouch from a guy with arthritis that there is a lot to be said about learning classical position. Wish I started that way. Hard to break old habits now but I’m trying. 


Bill


One more pizza for the road!

# 8
KyleM.
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KyleM.
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07/27/2026 3:00 am
#7 Originally Posted by: 1jacko.wanne

Hi Thank for reply.If a bent wrist is  normal that’s  ok, it’s just that popular mantra and endless advice keeps saying don’t play with bent wrist always play with STRAIGHT wrist, my wrist is straight on open chords but as soon as I lay my first index finger to barre  a chord my wrist goes to bent (all advice refers to carpal tunnel) Thanks Jack.

That makes sense, dude. Sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel. Your wrist is going to just about do a 90 in any barre chord you play. 


I got a rating on my wrists, too. For me, it's strumming that becomes painful. I also have a medication that makes my fingers hurt badly. Some days it all stacks up and I can't play well at all because of the pain. 


Barre chords are easiest on my wrist starting around fret four; G# on the low E. Adapting to what we can physically do is creative and important for us to continue playing. Maybe start on A major at fret five on the low E and also D & E chords on the low A. 


Guitar Tricks Scale Finder


Thanks for reading, and be safe. 

# 9
1jacko.wanne
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1jacko.wanne
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07/29/2026 2:05 pm
#4 Originally Posted by: William MG

Hey Jack


not sure this is possible. I know I will never be that nimble


 


https://youtube.com/shorts/dMe_o9i4pPY?si=6QTaEi0wKmjXPfDJ

So sorry..I just re read my post and I can see I left out the the point that is confusing you all. .I should have said changing from open C to F barre chord I completely understand  why you .I don’t know what im  talking about I apologise for having  you all scratching your head and wondering what’s the fool saying and thanks for trying to help.Jack.


# 10
William MG
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William MG
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07/29/2026 4:56 pm
#10 Originally Posted by: 1jacko.wanne

So sorry..I just re read my post and I can see I left out the the point that is confusing you all. .I should have said changing from open C to F barre chord I completely understand  why you .I don’t know what im  talking about I apologise for having  you all scratching your head and wondering what’s the fool saying and thanks for trying to help.Jack.

All good Jack


good luck


Bill


edited

One more pizza for the road!

# 11

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