Part 4: The Second Most Common Chord You Will Ever Learn
It's time to learn another very common chord pattern called bar chords (also spelled "barre chords"). This section is divided up into two forms: the E shape and the A shape, as they differentiate the two chord types by the string they begin on, and each type has both a major and minor chord. You don't need to understand too much more than this for now. Just focus on memorizing the chord patterns.
I. E Shape Bar Chord, Major
Here we will expand on what you learned in the last lesson and start learning the structure for bar chords. The word "bar chord" comes from the fact that in order to play these chords, you must place your index finger across the entire neck of the guitar, holding the same fret down for every string. This concept is described as "barring." What you fill find is a power chord represents the first three notes of a bar chord, but now you will add several notes, getting a more full sound.
Lets again use tablature to illustrate how to play a bar chord, starting on the 3rd fret, with a second bar chord illustrated on the 5th fret
It's time to learn another very common chord pattern called bar chords (also spelled "barre chords"). This section is divided up into two forms: the E shape and the A shape, as they differentiate the two chord types by the string they begin on, and each type has both a major and minor chord. You don't need to understand too much more than this for now. Just focus on memorizing the chord patterns.
I. E Shape Bar Chord, Major
Here we will expand on what you learned in the last lesson and start learning the structure for bar chords. The word "bar chord" comes from the fact that in order to play these chords, you must place your index finger across the entire neck of the guitar, holding the same fret down for every string. This concept is described as "barring." What you fill find is a power chord represents the first three notes of a bar chord, but now you will add several notes, getting a more full sound.
Lets again use tablature to illustrate how to play a bar chord, starting on the 3rd fret, with a second bar chord illustrated on the 5th fret
To start this lesson, we will introduce the concept of barring, which we will do on the 3rd fret. Place your index finger across the entire neck on the 3rd fret, barring it; using this one finger to press down every string on the 3rd fret.
Then, while still barring the 3rd fret, place your ring finger on the A string fifth fret, pinky finger on the D string fifth fret, middle finger on the G string fourth fret. You should now have a bar chord on the 3rd fret. If you move up two frets, keeping your fingers in the same exact place, you will now play a bar chord on the 5th fret. Just like with power chords, you can move this exact form up and down the neck as you please to play different chords.
Below are photos of the E shape major bar chords on the 3rd and 5th frets respectively.
II. E Shape Bar Chord, Minor
What you will notice here is that it's the same chord as the major, only more simple. Just play the major bar chord but do not place your middle finger on the G string, leave it off entirely so the G string is now barred on the 3rd fret just like the high e, B, and low E strings are.
Below are photos of the E shape minor bar chords on the 3rd and 5th frets.
III. A Shape Bar Chord, Major
Lets move on to the second type of bar chord: an A shape bar, starting on the 3rd fret again followed by an A shape bar on the 5th fret.
Lets start with the bar chord on the 3rd fret. Here you will start on the A string barring the third fret for each string down. Note that for this form, you will not need to play the low E string.
Then place your ring finger and bar the 5th fret on the B, G, and D strings (2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings).
Quick Tip: The idea here is to catch the first string (high e string) with your index finger barring the 3rd fret. However, even many advanced guitar players find this to be a difficult technique, and will cheat by not playing the high e string at all. It really depends on the flexibility of your ring finger, and of course lots of practice. My advice, if you are having trouble, feel free to cheat.
IV. A Shape, Minor Bar Chords
For this form, you will follow almost the same pattern as the E shape major bar, only you will start on the A string instead of the low E.
To play the A bar minor shape on the third fret, start on the A string, bar the 3rd fret.
Then place your ring finger on the D string 5th fret, pinky finger on the G string 5th fret, middle finger on the B string 4th fret. You now can follow this same pattern starting on the 5th fret as in the second photo, or any other fret of your choice.
The main point with all of this is to get comfortable with each bar chord form. Once you have this down, you can play the same pattern starting on any fret you choose, up and down the neck as you choose.
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