While more difficult than open chords, barre chords are very useful because the same chord shape can be moved all over the guitar fretboard. Therefore, with one chord shape you can play a specific chord type (ex. Major chord) in any key by simply sliding the shape up or down the fretboard.

All of the barre chords in this lesson will have their root notes on either the 6^th / low-E string or the 5^th / A string. If you don’t already know the notes on these strings you may want to take a look at my fretboard diagram.

Barre Chords with 6^th / low-E string roots:

• In order to use these chord shapes simply locate the root note of the chord you want to play on the 6^th/ low-E string and then use the corresponding chord shape.
• Example: To play an A major / minor / 7 chord slide up to the 5^th fret and play the corresponding barre chord shape.
• Note: although only some of the notes from the barre will sound, you will need to barre all 6 strings in order to play these chord shapes

• You may have noticed that 6^th / low-E string barre chords correspond to open E-chord shapes. The shapes are simply open E major / minor / 7 chords, except adding the barre allows you to move them all around the fretboard to play them in different keys.

Barre Chords with 5^th / A string roots:

• In order to use these chord shapes simply locate the root note of the chord you want to play on the 5^th/ A stringand then use the corresponding chord shape.
  • Example: To play a D major / minor / 7 chord slide up to the 5^th fret and play the corresponding barre chord shape.
  • Note: although only some of the notes from the barre will sound, you will need to barre all of the first 5 strings in order to play these chord shapes.

• Much like the 6^th / low-E string barre chords are derived from the open E-chord shapes, the 5^th / A string barre chords are derived from the open A-chord shapes. Once again, adding the barre allows you to move these shapes around the fretboard in order to play them in different keys.

Tips

• Barre chords can be difficult to learn and, until you build up some strength, your hands/fingers will likely become very tired. Although it is difficult at first, try to focus on minimizing tension in your fingers, hands, arms, and shoulders.  Although many guitarists are able to play barre chords, not nearly as many have mastered the art of playing them with ease (i.e. with minimal tension).
  • To help reduce tension when first learning barre chords, I would recommend that you put your non-barre fingers in position before attempting to place your barre finger. This will reduce the force that you need to apply with your barre finger, and should therefore reduce the tension produced in your fingers, hands, arms, and shoulders.
  • When placing the barre, try to make your barre finger as comfortable as possible. Try rolling your finger slightly onto its side. Experiment with slightly different positions for the barre and pick the one that is easiest/most tension-free for you.
  • Check out the tips from my lesson: Open Chords – Some Basic Chords That Every Guitarist Should Know (Part 1). These tips apply any time you are learning new chords.
  • It is also important to have patience when learning barre chords. If you have never played barre chords before they will feel impossible at first. Don’t get frustrated, you will eventually learn them. If you hands become overly sore or tired don’t be afraid to take a break and come back later.
  • When you become more comfortable with barre chords try learning, and playing along with, songs that use barre chords in them.