• From: Lisburn
  • Registered: 2006-11-29
  • Posts: 10

Topic: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

Hi All,


This may be a silly question, however I have noticed alot of questions recently about learning bare chords etc.

I am newish to the guitar and have pretty much mastered all the basic chord shapes (E,C,G,D,Am,Em,Dm,F) etc etc, and can move quickly between them.

However, where can I find the barre chord equivilent of all these chords. I am having difficulty playing F barre but reckon if I had barres of all the normal chords it would make it easier to practice.

I am fairly sure the reason I don't know the answer is due to my lack of understanding of music theory. But if I could get a chart that showed the barre equivilents it would be really helpful


Thanks in advance


Justin

  • From: Perth Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-12-19
  • Posts: 235

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

Try here.


<a href="http://www.chordie.com/resources.php" target="_blank">http://www.chordie.com/resources.php</a>


Theres a big chord chart in there.

  • Registered: 2007-03-23
  • Posts: 1

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

You can just shift the barre chord up the fretboard.

Move the F shape up so the barre is on the 3rd fret and you've got a G. Up two more frets and you get an A etc.


Just don't forget that there's only a semitone between B-C and E-F whereas the other chords have a tone (two semitones between them).

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

You can also barre F on the 8th fret.


-8-

-10-

-10-

-10-

-8-

-8-


It's an A shape chord.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • Kahuna
  • Kahuna
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2006-07-12
  • Posts: 290

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

Jerome,


Don't you mean a D shape chord?  The F chord on the 8th fret is based on a 5th string root.  Thus, would be similar to the D shape on the 5th fret. 


<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>jerome.oneil wrote on Wed, 28 March 2007 19&#58;45</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
You can also barre F on the 8th fret.


-8-

-10-

-10-

-10-

-8-

-8-


It's an A shape chord.
</td></tr></table>

  • Registered: 2007-03-28
  • Posts: 2

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

James,


   You don't really need music theory. There are two main shapes used in barre chords. The E shape and the A shape. The E shape is the shape of an E chord in first position the A shape is , you guessed it, the shape of an A chord in first position.


<u>*** E <i>Shape</i> on 3rd fret is a G chord</u>

3

3

4

5

5

3= Root Note on this string. What ever this note is, is the chord you are playing all up and down the neck. If you move the whole thing up one fret you are playing G#. Move to the fifth fret and you are playing A.


<u>*** A <i>Shape</i> on 3rd fret is a C chord</u>

3

5

5 = Root note on this string all up and down neck

5

3

3



Hope this helps. Also Em and Am shapes work the same way. Learning the shapes is a little easier up on the fifth fret or so because the strings are easier to push there.


Dave

  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2007-01-09
  • Posts: 85

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

Hi Jeames!

I've been thinking of doing a guide for my self on barre chord palcements on the neck. I did one for you now, that I of course will be using myself (thanks for kicking my but to get it done  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing"> ).


I have uploded a .JPG that is an explanation that I hope will help you (and others intrested). I will post a second reply with the word document if anyone is interested in developing it further.


Some say you don't need the theory, and maybe it's so, but this is music theory and I think it helps a lot, don't you.


Another tip (theory of course...): If you learn the full note scale (a,a#,b,c,c#,d,d#,e,f,f#,g,g#) you can name ANY note on ANY fret on ANY string of your loved instrument.

Just take the root of the string (e,b,g,d,a,E) and place the scale right on that note. When you pass the g# in the scale just restart on the a note.

Exaple: On the b-string a loose string of course is a b. If you place your finger on the first fret you move one step up the scale. This gives you a c note. Second fret same string gives you a c# (next in the scale).


Theory or not, this have made my life simpler...

/Missen

If you love what you do, there's no need to be good at it...
  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2007-01-09
  • Posts: 85

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

The promised word dok...

/Missen

If you love what you do, there's no need to be good at it...
  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2007-01-09
  • Posts: 85

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

F**K. Got the D7 wrong in the dok. The X7 chord is played with the outer fingers on the A Major shape (NOT the Am shape). If you use the Am shape with outer fingers pressed you should get an Am7.

On the E string the X7 is played like the open E7 (simplified E7). Only outer fingers on the E major pressed.

Don't know the barre Em7-shape, perhaps someone can enlighten us...


Attached a corrected version...  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_eek.gif" border=0 alt="Shocked">

If you love what you do, there's no need to be good at it...
  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>dhdhdh33 wrote on Thu, 29 March 2007 06&#58;06</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
James,


   You don't really need music theory. There are two main shapes used in barre chords. The E shape and the A shape. The E shape is the shape of an E chord in first position the A shape is , you guessed it, the shape of an A chord in first position.


<u>*** E <i>Shape</i> on 3rd fret is a G chord</u>

3

3

4

5

5

3= Root Note on this string. What ever this note is, is the chord you are playing all up and down the neck. If you move the whole thing up one fret you are playing G#. Move to the fifth fret and you are playing A.


<u>*** A <i>Shape</i> on 3rd fret is a C chord</u>

3

5

5 = Root note on this string all up and down neck

5

3

3



Hope this helps. Also Em and Am shapes work the same way. Learning the shapes is a little easier up on the fifth fret or so because the strings are easier to push there.


Dave

</td></tr></table>


'Zactly.  The two most used closed chord shapes are the E and A shapes, but all five open chord shapes are moveable.


You would play F using the D shape barring on the 3rd fret.


-5-

-6-

-5-

-3-

-x-

-x-


It's not a particularly easy chord to fret, but that's what it is.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • From: Lisburn
  • Registered: 2006-11-29
  • Posts: 10

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

Thanks for all your help, the chart is really good.

No doubt my weekend is going to be spend practicing and losing the rag for not getting it!!!

  • Registered: 2006-04-30
  • Posts: 80

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

I think the barre Em7 shape is just open the 4th string keeping the 3rd string fretted 1 fret above the barre and keeping the 5th string fretted 2 frets above the barre (E shape with the 4th barred).

David

Please talk slowly I don't hear good any more.
  • Registered: 2006-04-30
  • Posts: 80

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>livebaitman wrote on Fri, 30 March 2007 21&#58;21</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I think the barre Em7 shape is just open the 4th string keeping the 3rd string fretted 1 fret above the barre and keeping the 5th string fretted 2 frets above the barre (E shape with the 4th barred).

David
</td></tr></table>


I think I just described the E7 shape.  The Em7 shape would be to lift the 4th string open too and just fret the 5th string 2 frets above the barred fret.

David

Please talk slowly I don't hear good any more.
  • Registered: 2006-04-30
  • Posts: 80

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>livebaitman wrote on Fri, 30 March 2007 22&#58;11</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>livebaitman wrote on Fri, 30 March 2007 21&#58;21</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I think the barre Em7 shape is just open the 4th string keeping the 3rd string fretted 1 fret above the barre and keeping the 5th string fretted 2 frets above the barre (E shape with the 4th barred).

David
</td></tr></table>


I think I just described the E7 shape.  The Em7 shape would be to lift the 4th string open too and just fret the 5th string 2 frets above the barred fret.

David
</td></tr></table>


Now that I think about it again, I think my first post above was correct.  Someone please confirm.  Thanks,

David

Please talk slowly I don't hear good any more.
  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

How about you tab it out?  It's a little easier to read than a written description.


Em7 is one of the easiest chords there is.   You can do it with one finger!


-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

-2-

-0-


E7 is almost as complicated. It takes two fingers!


-0-

-0-

-1-

-0-

-2-

-0-


The 7 Shape will remain a 7 chord all the way down the neck if you barre it.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • Registered: 2007-02-02
  • Posts: 30

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

hi


in barre chords in 'e' shape:


G:355433 Gm:355333

A:577655 Am:577555

ect. just move this position up(eg. b is 2 frets up from A because it is 2 semitones up)


"A" shape


C:335553 Cm:335543


and do the same thing as with "E" shape.

For more chords and variations go to <a href="http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/</a>


<img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">

12345abcd3



ps. for an easier version of F do: xx4311(this can also be moved up to make different chords.

  • Registered: 2006-04-30
  • Posts: 80

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

to: jerome.oneil


You're absolutely right,  Thanks.  What chord is this?  Is it still a 7 chord?


-0-

-3-

-1-

-0-

-2-

-0-

Please talk slowly I don't hear good any more.
  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>livebaitman wrote on Tue, 03 April 2007 20&#58;10</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
to: jerome.oneil


You're absolutely right,  Thanks.  What chord is this?  Is it still a 7 chord?


-0-

-3-

-1-

-0-

-2-

-0-
</td></tr></table>



Yes it's exactly the same E7 chord (dominant 7, to be precice), with a small change in the voicing.  You've just added another D and removed a B.


"Classic" E7


-0-  e

-0-  B

-1-  G#

-0-  D

-2-  B

-0-  E


Your chord, also E7.


-0-  e

-3-  D     <--- Only difference.

-1-  G#

-0-  D

-2-  B

-0-  E


You can also play it with your added D and play the E major straight up.


-0-  e

-3-  D     

-1-  G#

-2-  E  <--- Major.

-2-  B

-0-  E


7 Chords are cool, particularly if you play a lot of blues.   One of my new favorite shapes is a C shape with the pinky dropped on the G string.  It's mobile, and gives you a 7 chord everywhere on the fingerboard.


-0-

-1-

-3-

-2-

-3-

-0-

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • Registered: 2006-04-30
  • Posts: 80

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

Thanks,good info.

Please talk slowly I don't hear good any more.
  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: A Silly Barre Chord Question (Maybe)

And just cause I like them, here's a "cheater's 7" thats pretty easy, too.



Simply barre eBGD and then drop a finger on the next e.



So a cheated A7 would be.


-3-

-2-

-2-

-2-

-x-

-x-


That's really mobile, too.  You can move it chromatically up and down the fretboard for 7s everywhere.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website