I NEED SIMPLER ALTERNATIVE Bm and F CHORD (Page 2 of 2)

Ouch.

Personally, I didn't take the easy way out. My teacher tried to get me to do the "easy" barre chords, but I persisted on doing the full ones, and he's no longer my teacher.

Its taken me about four or five weeks, but the E shaped barre's are clear and strong now, just a tiny fraction delay in getting there, which I hope to iron out in a month or so.

The A shaped ones, again, I can get them to sound clear, just a delay again.

My advice is take them on, in the long run it will be far more beneficial for you. They are still going to be as hard to learn now as they will be if you only decide to take them up in a year or two. I suspect that might be more irritating, being able to play smoothly, but barre chords still hard to do.

Just my penny's worth.

Many great suggestions in this thread.  Here's my $0.02 (US):

Depending on the song, you may even be able to shorten the chord form from the posted "cheats".  If you're picking more on the high strings (G-B-E), go ahead and ignore the low strings (E-A-D).  That makes F look like xxx211 and Bm look like xxx432.  You don't get much (any?) bass sound, but if you're already on the treble side anyway, it won't make that much difference.

Another option: change to a different chord altogether.  This works better if you're writing a song yourself than playing someone else's, but every now and then you can work something in to give an established song a little different sound, and make it your own (and easier to play).  For example, when I started out and had problems with F, I sometimes changed it to Fmaj7 (xx3210) instead.  Different sound, but it can keep you moving with the song while you improve on the barre.  I did that with a song I was writing because I just couldn't get the barre to sound like anything, and now I like the sound of it better in that song anyway.

Last, and I hate to sound like everyone else, but practice improves play.  When you're at home alone, go ahead and play that F with three dead strings in it every time.  Every time.  Over and over and over again.  Soon enough, you'll only have two dead strings, then one.  I won't guarantee you any better than that, because that's still where I am most of the time.  My boss plays professionally and says that he still routinely hits 5 out of 6, and sometimes less than that.  At least we're in good company.

mmmm very interesting ,mainly because i bypass songs with barre chords ,prob like most learners,but the positive replys have me guitar in hand and PRACTICE PRACtice practice.

The only problem with shortened chord forms is ensuring you only hit the strings you want to. Avoiding strings takes a long time to develop - probably longer than hitting the right ones !!!

I learned to play both F and Bm shapes 3 different ways, and in as many positions up the neck as possible. Different fingerings and positions will be needed depending on the song played and chords used. Learn as many positions and fingerings as possible.  You can first learn the easy fingerings, but you will not be satisfied with only knowing those after a while.

I actually just joined to post this.... I play acoustic guitar, but my hands are tiny (and slightly deformed due to the arthritis I inherited from my mom) so F and B chords have always been out of bounds for me. I know the "cheating" versions don't sound quite right, but they are SO much easier for some people to play. I just wanted you to know, it's not always a lack of determination that leads people to give up on guitar - sometimes it's just not possible.

A "cheat barre" chord is is just as important to know as a "full barre" chord. It just depends on the song. One song I play - I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried by Rodney Carrington is in the key of "C". The chords go from open  C to barre G to barre F throught the song (except for the chorus) until the end then change to open C to a "cheat barre G to a cheat barre F. If played any other way it just does not sound correct. There are many way to make the same chords and they all will have their place. Let the song tell you what is correct. Also, always remember that when you are playing for a crowd. 999 out of a 1000 people will not be able to hear the difference in a cheat barre chord and a full barre chord. Don't take the "shortcuts" as the only option but if that is the best way for you to get to that chord - do it.

Nela

This isn't a bad idea tunedeaf. I actually agree with both the purist vision of "do it the right way all the way" AND the novice with no illusions idea that making it simple probably will give the beginner some enjoyment from the guitar rather than it sitting in the closet. I think it comes down to what you want to achieve.
BUT - I will say that using the simplified versions should be recognized as a step along the way rather than the destination. By that I mean its great if it gets you playing, but by virtue of that playing you will realize at some point that further progress requires you to learn the barres.
I think your version of the F chord is bang on - even advanced players sometimes use this. But as for the Bm I think the person who asked this question should realize the only difference between the simplified version tunedeaf posted and the proper barre is the position of the index finger. Therefore, if you can play the simple version you are one small step away from learning a very useful barre chord. Its a good place to start and move on from there. All hail the sweet Bm. It might be the big step you're looking for!

F  I found hard one to do  but after 2weeks  I mastered it  Bm   well I am trying barres   I am ok with E barre    but when it comes to A   well total diffrent kettle of fish LOL   my  ring finger wont bend  lol  and cramp  ouch    If someone told me before I started christmas I would suffer sore fingers and blisters  and cramp  don't think I would have tried  lol   oh well  im past  the stage sore fingers  now  its  mastering them  barres  Grrr    Good luck  with your  chords  ...