Barre Chords
A barre chord uses a flattened index finger to fret most or all of the strings, with the index finger usually playing the bass or root note of the chord. This technique allows for a few common shapes to play different chords simply by changing position.
We've already encountered a barre chord when discussing the F Major Chord, but here we will apply it to a larger variety of chords and learn the technique for future chord shapes.
Contents
PreReqs
Common Shapes
6 String - E Shapes
These shapes resemble the open position E major and minor chords, but instead of using the open strings, we use our barre. The minor shape above most clearly illustrates the power of a barre - it is like being able to move the nut wherever you want on the fretboard.
When starting out, it can be difficult to barre all the strings with good fretting technique. Here are some suggestions:
- If your middle finger is not being used, you can put the middle finger on top of the index finger to get extra strength if you find it difficult to sustain enough pressure for cleanly fretting all the notes
- Focus on each string individually, trying various adjustments to get a clean note, such as angling the index finger or aligning with the index finger against different places on the strings - if a string falls into a joint groove, it may be more difficult to push it against the fret.
| Open E Shapes | |
|---|---|
| Major | Minor |
R |i|-|-| 5 |i|-|-| 3 |)|m|-| R |)|-|p| 5 |)|-|r| R |i|-|-| |
R |i|-|-| 5 |i|-|-| 3 |i|-|-| R |)|-|p| 5 |)|-|r| R |i|-|-| |
5 String - A Shapes
These barre chords resemble the shapes of open position A major and minor. Notice for the major shape, we have to barre both the index and ring fingers, making this chord more difficult than first appears to master. It may be possible to use middle, ring, and pinky instead; but this can be especially difficult. On the lower frets, stretching the middle finger far enough to get a clean fretting is tough, while on the higher frets, it is difficult to align the fingers above each other and fit inside the smaller fret space.
Pay attention to every note of the chord - make sure that every note can be heard and is cleanly fretted. Hold the shape and play each note individually. Be sure the high and low notes from the index-finger barre are not being muted by the other fingers.
| Open A Shapes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Major | Minor | |
5 |i|-|-| 3 |)|-|r| R |)|-|r| 5 |)|-|r| R |i|-|-| |-|-|-| |
5 |i|-|-| 3 |)|m|-| R |)|-|p| 5 |)|-|r| R |i|-|-| |-|-|-| | |
4 String - D Shapes
These resemble the open position D major/minor chords. Notice that the index finger only plays one note here, and we don't actually need the barre at all. It's best to learn it anyway, as other chords closely resemble this shape but make use of the barre.
| Open D Shapes | |
|---|---|
| Major | Minor |
3 |)|-|r|-| R |)|-|-|p| 5 |)|-|m|-| R |i|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-| |
3 |)|m|-|-| R |)|-|-|p| 5 |)|-|r|-| R |i|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-| |
Example
Let's say our goal is to play a I - IV - V - I progression in A♭ Major. On other instruments, it may be necessary to know what the 4th and 5th of A♭ is, and to know what notes compose each of the chords involved. On guitar, we only need to know where to find those root notes on the fretboard and which shapes to play.
E-------------------- B-------------------- G-------------------- D-------------------- A-------4----6------- E--4--------------4-- Ab Db Eb Ab
Here are the root notes. We can figure out where these notes occur quickly:
- We know that the open A string pitch is equal to the 5th fret of the low E string. A♭ is just one half-step or fret below.
- We know that the guitar is tuned to 4ths on all but the G and B strings. Thus, the note a P4 interval above our current note is simply the same fret on the next higher-pitched string. The root of the IV chord is A string, 4th fret D♭.
- We know that the 5th is just a whole step, or two frets, above the 4th. The root of the V chord is A string, 6th fret E♭.
I - IV - V - I consists of all major chords. Let's simply apply the shapes above to our root notes:
Ab Db Eb Ab E--4----4----6----4-- B--4----6----8----4-- G--5----6----8----5-- D--6----6----8----6-- A--6----4----6----6-- E--4--------------4--
Now let's say we want to change the key to B♭ major. We know that B♭ is one whole step above A♭, so we can move the entire progression above two frets higher, and that's all there is to it:
Bb Eb F Bb E--6----6----8----6-- B--6----8----10---6-- G--7----8----10---7-- D--8----8----10---8-- A--8----6----8----8-- E--6--------------6--
Are you beginning to see why guitar is such a popular instrument?
Don't Get Lazy
Just because guitar can simplify the way you play this or that progression doesn't mean you should get intellectually lazy. It's easy to perform the above and call it a day. It's nice that we can reduce a progression to a few root notes and some chord shapes, but you should really try to learn all the notes for the key you are playing in and what notes are contained in each chord and how those notes translate to the fretboard.
Other Shapes
Here are some other shapes that make use of barres, although they do not use the index finger for the root note.
| G Shape | Smaller G Shape |
C Shape |
|---|---|---|
|-|-|-|p| |i|-|-|-| |i|-|-|-| |i|-|-|-| |-|-|m|-| |-|-|-|r| |
|-|-|-|-| |i|-|-|-| |i|-|-|-| |i|-|-|-| |-|-|r|-| |-|-|-|p| |
|i|-|-|-| |)|m|-|-| |i|-|-|-| |-|-|r|-| |-|-|-|p| |-|-|-|-| |
The 6-string G shape can be quite difficult to finger. It's worth trying - being able to stretch your fingers to cleanly fret all the notes is a good goal to work towards for great flexibility/dexterity and can help towards making all kinds of chord shapes.
The other two aren't difficult to barre, but can be awkward to get all the fingers on the right strings/frets, especially when switching between these and the E and A major and/or minor shapes above. It's good practice to alternate between one of these shapes and E/A/D shapes.
Homework
- Practice all of the above shapes. Remember to focus on each note individually and keep practicing until you can consistently fret every note of every chord cleanly.
- Once you can can make each shape cleanly, practice using the chords in various progressions. You can use the example above, as well as using the same root note pattern, but on the 5th and 4th string instead of 6th and 5th. Also try some progressions from previous lessons, as well as making up your own (maybe you've already started making your own).
- Slowly work on speed, trying to attempt quicker transition times between chords, while still cleanly fretting all notes.
- Try alternating between the E/A/D shapes and G/C shapes in various positions. Again, first focus on clean fretting, then build transition speed.