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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Guitars and accessories → The dreaded Bar chords
Been playing for 12 months and now ready to take on the dreaded bar chords. I have heard that it is easier to hold the neck of the guitar higher so that it is easier to get your fingers on the bar etc. Maybe cause I am a girl it is going to be harder as have softer hands than you guys. Any thoughts?
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I'm a guy and I try to AVOID those full fret barre' chords. I had a hard enough time with a 2 string barre' "F" chord! I try looking for alternative ways of playing the same chords. Some of the 4 finger chords cause me problems also, because of arthritis, so I modify them to a 3 finger, trying to get the main chord elements. Chordie has PLENTY of songs which use the easy chords! Plus you can see alternate ways of playing the chords by ticking on the chord diagrams. I started playing when I was a teen. I have had some really terrible guitars, the first one I had was blessed with a warped neck! I gave up on that one! I didn't have another guitar until I was in my mid 20's, it was a 12 string acoustic-used. At least the neck was straight! I played it for a short period of time and gave it up after a year or so. Since retiring from a steel mill, I've just bought an "Estaban" cutaway acoustic/electric, a Epiphone solid body Les Paul Junior, and a Squire Special Edition Telecaster in "Blond" hooked into a "Spider III" Line 6--15 watt amp. I would highly recommend the Squire Tele. It plays like a dream. I'm in my 50's now and "middle age crazy"!! I do play and sing everyday. I do play each of these guitars everyday. When the wife goes to sleep I play the acoustic. When she's at work I crank up the volume and mike and have fun! That's what this is all about, right? <font size="2"></font> <font color="green"></font><font face="Century"></font>
Cage, A few things about Bar ( Barre ) cords..
I would practice them. It will only make you a more rounded player, it gives your hands muscle memory for many other chords down the road in playing. your hand will get stronger and you will see it is easier .
Also, many "beginner" guitars are not set up well, the action is too high, and it is very hard to make a good Barre Cord , especially near the nut ( at the "F" cord area ). So go to the local guitar store and try a few different brands and shapes and sizes, and see if the Barre is any easier... Also, try and play one string at a time to make sure you are getting a clean sound on each string. That seems to be the main problem, one or two get muffled..
I just had a minor adjustment, and my first fret Barre cording ( the "F" "B" chords ) are not easy like they were before my adjustment, so it needs to go back for a little tweaking..
That being said, Lindsy Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac wrote he still can't do Barre Cords.. And I am not good at them either, but I can still play tunes I enjoy with open chords.
So don't worry if you decide not to pursue the infamous Barre Chord because it is tough, you will always have those great standard Open chords we all learned and still play <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">
Okay I'm a girl, and a new player well about two years. I would say one take your guitar to a guitar repair shop, and ask them to check the set up. They can do amazing things to your guitar that can make it play easier, and sound better. I just got my ovation back from the shop (I love it). One thing they can do is lower the strings closer to the fret board. It's makes it easier to play.
And just practice, my fingers actually have never really got calluses, they do but not really. But they don't hurt either.
now I actually will find a way to play a song with all barre, once you get it's easy, oh and I know it seem odd but if you can keep your thumb in the middle of the back of the neck it will be easier.
I'm a girl, and i've been playin about 7 yrs when i first started doing barre chords, it hurt like crazy, u just gotta keep doin it, after about 6-12 months just doin nothing but barre chords my hands and fingers eventually got callused and it didnt bother me anymore. I have a Fender Strat, and it is GREAT for startin barre chords on
Thats because girls develope faster than boys. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_razz.gif" border=0 alt="Razz"> <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">
Maybe a small thing but, as was mentioned earlier, keep your thumb in the centre of the neck. It makes things so much easier. Also, when I'm playing a barre I place my thumb behind the 2nd finger and not the first finger thats making the barre. You probably do that yourself but if not, give it a go. It's much easier.
Oh, and if PJ Harvey can play barres so can you! Being a girl aint an excuse! <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_wink.gif" border=0 alt="Wink">
Craig.
On my acoustic, I found that it was really hard to play barre chords. I switched my strings to a lighter string and tension until I developed more strength in my wrist. I also made a few minor adjustments to my guitar... *cough* *cough*... such as filing down the saddle to lower the action.
Anyway... good luck! <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_razz.gif" border=0 alt="Razz">
Wow, I started out playing in Dropped-D setup (Dadgbe) and doing barre chords were much harder than normal chords.
It takes a while but your muscles do get stronger after a while just like with anything else. Jsut keep at it and you will build up the strength to get it good.
Also, getting the action on your guitar lowered as much as it will go will make doing barre chords and power chords much easier.
Good luck,
Dm
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Guitars and accessories → The dreaded Bar chords
