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.
The Four Essential Barre Chords
There are four essential barre chords. Two chords with the root on the 6th string and two chords with the root on the 5th string. With one chord major and one chord minor.
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Instructions for a Major Barre Chord with the root on the 6th string. Place your 1st finger down as a barre. Place your 3rd and 4th fingers on the 5th and 4th strings two frets up and your 2nd finger on the 3rd string one fret up. The result is a major barre chord with the root on the 6th string. Notice that the chord shape is the same as an E major chord in open position.
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Instructions for a Minor Barre Chord with the root on the 6th string. Place your 1st finger down as a barre. Place your 3rd and 4th fingers on the 5th and 4th strings two frets up. The result is a minor barre chord with the root on the 6th string. Notice that the chord shape is the same as an E minor chord in open position.
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Instructions for a Major Barre Chord with the root on the 5th string. Place your 1st finger down as a barre. Place your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers on the 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings two frets up. The result is a minor barre chord with the root on the 5th string. Avoid playing the 6th string Notice that the chord shape is the same as an A major chord in open position. |
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Instructions for A Minor Barre Chord with the root on the 5th string. Place your 1st finger down as a barre. Place your 3rd and 4th fingers on the 4th and 3th strings two frets up and your 2nd finger on the 2nd string one fret up. The result is a major barre chord with the root on the 5th string. Avoid playing the 6th string. Notice that the chord shape is the same as an A minor chord in open position. |
Part IV - Overview