Barre Chords

Barre chords are useful tools for guitarists. Just by knowing a few shapes a guitarist could play many chords in any key. A guitarist just needs to know one major barre chord shape and they would be able to play any major chord in any key. Same with a minor chord, dominant chord, sus chord, you name it. Just learn the shape and you can play that chord in any key, anywhere’s on the guitar. This is a phenomanal aspect about the guitar, not many instruments have this power. This is in direct conflict with the basic open position chords. With those chords, you need to learn a new shape for every new chord. Not so with barre chords, because you only need a few shapes and your can literally play any of the most used chords in any key anywheres on the guitar neck. Phenomanal.

 

Overview

The following is a chart of the 4 essential barre chords. If your not sure how to read these diagrams, then refresh your memory with How To Read Chord Diagrams. For detailed instructions on how to play each chord, read Part Three.

Study these 4 shapes. You should notice they are all similar. For instance, the difference between a major barre chord and a minor barre chord is just one note moved down one fret on the neck. As well the finger for a major barre chord with the root on the 6th string is the same as a minor barre chord with the root on the 5th string, just moved up on set of strings.