B Chord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Page 1 of 2)

I play both the B and Bb with two fingers and it sounds good enough if you just strum the bottom strings.  That is if you can do an A chord with one finger.  First finger bottom string and the third finger does the A chord two frets up.  I don't know if that is clear or not.

I find it easier to play barre chords further up the neck with a capo, the capo brings the strings nearer to the frets making it easier to barre and the space between frets is closer so you don't have to stretch your fingers so much.  Practice like this and over time move the capo back out gradually, it's what I'm doing at the moment.

im with bensonp on this. Thats the way I cheat for the B chord.
Why did it have to be invented/discovered ? we all hate it, it has no place in good songs...ok it does but I wish it didnt

Ken

Maybe I'm the odd ball, but I just don't get cheater chords... Most of them are just removing the root note of the chord... If you take the A string 2nd fret out of the B chord you lose the root B, may as well just skip the chord IMO... I mean, you still have to learn a new form for the cheater version, wouldn't that time and muscle memory be better applied by learning the actual barre chords? I don't know, It just seams strange to me to spend all that time learning an inproper chord form. I realize barreing is hard and takes lots of practice, but in order to really progress you have to face them sometime. Why not do it from the get go instead of wasting time learning ways around them?? Just my .02 and I realize most probably won't agree..-Pix

You are totally right GuitarPix, but, as Zurf says, B chords are evil.  I just haven't practiced barring enough.  I try every once in awhile, but can't seem to stick with it.

There's some good advice here, but I'll add that a good set-up on your guitar makes all the difference in the world. I couldn't sound a decent barre chord until I got a decent guitar. For those who are struggling, I suggest a trip to your local set-up guy may solve all of your problems.

Oh - and roll your barre finger 45 degrees towards your thumb. The barre is formed more on the edge of the index finger than it is on the flat part. After a while calluses will form and a barre will come as natural as an Em.

Barres are a pain, but the reward is worth it - they really open up the fretboard to so many options. Don't give up! PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

YES!!!! RIGHT ON!!!!!

Being a tad naive on these subjects Topdown I wander if you can clarify what you mean here. I have been thinking for a while that the gap between my strings and neck is too big. Is this the sort of thing you mean? I know I sound like a weak girls but I litterally don't have the strength to hold down the strings in Barre chords. This can't be right?

I do agree that the B Chord is evil... The person who invented it must have had three hands.

Tine
-x-

I knackered my pinky (if that means what I think it means) on my left hand a couple months ago.  It does hurt to put pressure on it.  Still, we do what we do because it's what we do. 

- Zurf

This is how i form the B chord and it works good for me. I just drop my middle finger on top on my index to help apply pressure for the barre and to avoid flipping the bird. It's the same with Fm and Gm chords also (two fingers). I guess it helps to have long fingers for this.

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Zurf i wouldn't consider myself a mutant. I still have a hard time with the dreaded F chord. I can't seem to barre it and make it clean.

I agree with Pix and others, You shouldnt cheat.........But I will continue to even though I dont agree wit hit.
I have tried for years to barr a chord and I just cannot manage it without any buzzing or duff notes. It maybe because I have dumpy wee fingers. I am jealous of all you long skinny fingered guys that should have no excuse for barring.

All this over a B chord

I wonder what response this would have got if it were a subject on Ab. I have not even got a cheat for that one, I just dodge any song that has it or transpose it

Ye think B is an evil chord?, Ab is the most evilist

Ken