Lesson 17

Here is a C major chord in 2nd position played as a "barre" chord.

Keep your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers firmly in place or, form a barre across the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings - at the 5th fret with the 3rd finger.

Rotate your wrist downward slightly and form a "barre" with the 1st finger across all six strings.

Do not become discouraged if you have trouble forming these barre chords. It will require a good deal of effort and practice to play them correctly.

An important barre chord is played by forming an E major chord in the first position using your 2nd 3rd and 4th fingers leaving the all important 1st finger free to form the barre.

Now, slide this chord form up the neck, to the 4th and 5th frets.

Rotate your wrist downward slightly and place the 1st finger barre across all six strings - at the 3rd fret. The root note (tonic note) will always be found on the 6th string.

Form an A minor chord using your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers leaving your first finger free.

Now, slide this chord form up the neck two frets.

Rotate your wrist downward slightly and place the 1st finger barre across all six strings at the 2nd fret. By playing the full "barre" version we are adding the bass notes.

Another important minor barre chord is achieved by simply forming a major barre chord, and, then lifting the 2nd finger off the 3rd string.

Here is an F# minor chord. It is the relative mino r ( VI m ) in the key of A major.

This chord form, like all barre chords, can be moved up or down the neck.

It will take a good deal of time and practice to master all of these barre chord forms, but once you are comfortable playing them a whole new world of musical possibilities will open up for you.

Think of these chords as different voices that you are able to produce on your instrument.

Each chord has its own unique sound (tone) quality, and you will find them useful in a wide variety of situations.

Creative use of barre chords and their extensions (7ths, etc.) will certainly add to your enjoyment of the guitar.