• Registered: 2009-12-05
  • Posts: 14

Topic: Bar Chords struggle

If you are struggling with bar chords, trust me just keep at it every day. I have been at it now for a couple months and its finally become pretty easy. I still cant change from open chords to bars very fast, but its a whole lot easier now. And beleive me , I actually thought I would never be able to do it. And now I can see a little down the road. And the biggest thing that helped me  was finding the song, sitting on the doc of the bay. It is so cool when you learn a classic and so fun to play. look up on you tube at Marty Schwartz playing these songs. He has helped me so much to keep focused when getting bored.

Ibanez ew20ase-nt
Martin D-18
Taylor GC-5
  • Registered: 2009-01-23
  • Posts: 116

Re: Bar Chords struggle

I struggled with bar chords also myibanez.   Thought I was never going to make that position.  But I learned using an acoustic.... ouch!   But now that I learned, the electric is like butter.   I'm going to check out Marty Schwartz, because you can never learn enough.  Thanks for the tip.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qI7y9ivs5Y[/url]  lol
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEyW2SEHfzM[/url]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0WeJjPLqyQ[/url]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkcYALHslEY[/url]
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-03-29
  • Posts: 953

Re: Bar Chords struggle

Marty is great, he keeps it fun to, I've been checking out his site for a couple of years now.

Cam

Keep a fire burning in your eyes
Pay attention to the open sky
You never know what will be coming down
  • badeye
  • The Blues Fixer
  • Offline
  • From: Cape Breton Island, Canada
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 3,381

Re: Bar Chords struggle

Some time ago a chordie friend, Zurf, mentioned to learn any thing on guitar, do it over a thousand times. I did that, and it works, Barres are easy now. It may bore you at times, stay the course, it works. 



badeye    cool

one caper after another
  • From: U.S.
  • Registered: 2007-01-24
  • Posts: 269

Re: Bar Chords struggle

Here's what helped me when I was learning my bars. When you bar with your left hand, pull back on the neck of the guitar and while doing that pull the body of the guitar tight to your body with your strumming arm. I have avioded bar chords most of my life. Now it seems like there in every song I play. Oh yeh, one more tip, every time I played a song that had an "F" chord in it, I forced my self to play a bar F.

  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2009-06-12
  • Posts: 873

Re: Bar Chords struggle

Thanks for the inspiration. Still sruggling with barre cords. But, you know  what, a few months ago I didn't thinkI'd ever be able transition quickly between open chords. Now that's easy. Practice and persistence!

  • Registered: 2008-07-19
  • Posts: 128

Re: Bar Chords struggle

It took me years to learn them but now I can play them in songs. Pick a song you really like that has barres and keep practicing. For me Way Out Here by Josh Thompson was the song that forced me to learn them A-Bm-A.

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Bar Chords struggle

I'm getting better with barre chords myself - buying a guitar with a low action has helped a lot!  Nevertheless, B remains evil. 

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: Bar Chords struggle

I still can't do barre chords because I don't practice them enough.  Just can't bring myself to do it for some reason.  As for the B chord.  Lets get it out on the table once and for all.  Don't hold back Zurf.  Tell us how you really feel about it.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.
  • Registered: 2008-07-19
  • Posts: 128

Re: Bar Chords struggle

Bm7 has long been the one chord I have avoided even trying to learn. I have just realized that lifting my ring finger on a Bm barre should be the same as a Bm7 so I guess I don't have to avoid that chord anymore. Zurf, it may be time for you to face the B and don't worry we will be right here with you the whole time.

  • selso
  • selso
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • From: El Paso, TX
  • Registered: 2007-07-18
  • Posts: 994

Re: Bar Chords struggle

Call me crazy but I've never had a problem with barre chords.

Everything is bad including me
But being bad is good policy
Reverend Horton Heat