Introducing Barre Chords
Editor's note: This is one of the pages that was not recovered from the original
archive, MMC has done his best in presenting this page as was intended.
In our discussion of open chords you probably noticed that these
chord voicings take their name from the simple fact that they involve a number of open
strings. These open strings make it much easier to play a chord, since you only need to
worry about fretting two or three of the guitar strings.
If you've ever seen or used a capo you might have
noticed that by effectively moving the nut up, the same chord fingerings will produce
different chords. 'Barring' a chord is in essence using your finger to provide a
temporary capo.
The fret number that you 'barre' with your index finger will determine how many steps
the chord formation you play is raised. So for example, if you play an
Em chord barred at the 1st fret, you will play an Fm chord,
as one-half (1/2) step up from E is F. This trick allows you to take the handful of
open chord shapes you've learned already and transfer them up the fretboard to play
virtually any other chord you might encounter!
Be forewarned however -- training your thumb and forefinger to fret all six strings
across the fretboard requires a great deal of practice. If you find your fretting hand
is cramping up, take a break, don't push yourself too hard or you'll find it unpleasant.
In time, your fretting hand will grow noticeably stronger and you'll be able to barre
more accurately and with less exertion. Practice will improve you, don't get discouraged!
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.
Back to Dansm's Guide to Barre Chords
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since 12-20-97
© 1997 Daniel E. Smith. © 2004 Mike McCracker. Last updated 11-18-04.