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Lesson 6 Barre Chords

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Lesson 6 Barre Chords Lesson 6 Barre Chords There are only three types of instruments that can play chords: (1) harps, (2) keyboard instruments like the piano, and (3) stringed instruments like the guitar. Of those three, only the stringed instruments, specifically the guitar, can use the same fingerings anywhere up and down the fretboard. To be able to move the same chord position anywhere up and down the fretboard makes learning chords in any key much easier. This gives guitar players a tremendous advantage over harp and keyboard players. The same type of chord can be played on any fret and produce that type of chord (Major, minor, 7th etc.) in every key. Barre chords enable the guitarist to use the same chord position on any fret on the fretboard. Many guitarists learn barre chords early on because of their usefulness. Barre chords are easy to learn, but generally more difficult to finger than open position chords. Barre Chords Are Based on E and A Chords The most common barre chords come from the open position E chord and its forms (minor, 7th, Maj7, m7) and the open position A chord and its forms. The E chord uses as its bass and root the open 6th (E) string (See Figure 1, following page). The A chord uses as its bass and root the open 5th (A) string. The barre is produced by placing the first finger over all six strings for the “E” chord forms, or by placing the first finger over the 1st thru 5th strings for the “A” chord forms. If you were to play a standard E chord using the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers (instead of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd), then the 1st finger becomes available to use as the barre finger (see Figure 2, following page). www.PlaySmartGuitar.com 72 The PlaySmartGuitar WorkBook Figure 6-1 E and A Chord Forms Figure 6-2 Standard E Chord and Modified E Chord Fingering The new fingering for an E chord can now be moved up and down the fretboard, placed on any fret depending on the chord desired. The root is on the sixth string. The letter name of the chord is that note on the sixth string. Likewise, the minor, 7th, and other forms can also be used and moved anywhere on the fretboard to produce chords from any key. Barre the first fret, and use the E chord form and you’ve moved the E chord up one fret (a half step). Now you are playing an F chord. Figure 6-3 F Barre Chord (E Chord Form) F www.PlaySmartGuitar.com Lesson 6: Barre Chords 73 Likewise, if you were to play an open position A chord without using the 1st finger, then the 1st finger becomes available to use as the barre finger. The A barre chord form uses the root on the 5th string, and it can be fingered several ways. Try them all and see which fingering works best for you. Figure 6-4 Different Fingerings for 5th String Root Barre Chords (A Chord Form) This chord position can now be moved up and down the fretboard, depending on the chord desired. The root is on the fifth string. The letter name of the chord is that note on the fifth string. Likewise, the minor, 7th, and other forms can also be used and moved anywhere on the fretboard to produce chords from any key. Barre the 2nd fret (1st thru 5th strings), apply the A chord position, and you’ve moved the A chord up a whole step. Now you are playing a B chord. Figure 6-5 B Barre chord (A Chord Form) B The chart on the following page contains diagrams for Major, minor, 7th, major 7th, and minor 7th chords. The barre chords work in two parts: (1) the root placement, and (2) the quality of the chord (Maj, minor, 7th, etc.). The root can be identified either on the 6th string or on the 5th. If you choose a root on the 6th string, use the chord positions with the root on the 6th string. If you are using the root on the fifth string, use the chord positions with the root on the 5th string. (Remember, the root includes the sharp or flat.) www.PlaySmartGuitar.com 74 The PlaySmartGuitar WorkBook Figure 6-6 Barre Chord Diagrams www.PlaySmartGuitar.com Lesson 6: Barre Chords 75 Barre Chord Rules To find and play a Barre chord, follow these three simple rules: 1. Find the root of the chord you want to play. (The root is the bass note that names the chord, and includes the sharp or flat.) 2. Identify the string. (6th string root or 5th string root?) 3. Choose the correct barre chord position (Major, minor, 7th, Maj7, or m7.) You can use either the chords with the root on the 6th string or the chords with the root on the 5th string. But most often, you would choose the root that is closest to the chords you play before and after. For example, if you needed to play a C#m7, the chord position with the root on the 5th string 4th fret would in most cases be preferable to the chord position further up the fretboard with the root or the 6th string 9th fret. Likewise, if you needed G chords, the chord position with the root on the 6th string 3rd fret would in most cases be preferable to the chord position further up the fretboard with the root on the 5th string 10th fret. Figure 6-7 C#m7 and G Barre Chords Barre Chords Practice Examples Lets work through a few examples of playing barre chords so you can see how easy it is. Here’s an example: Aa7. If you needed to play an Aa7 chord, follow the three barre chord rules. 1. Find the root of the chord you want to play: Aa. There’s an Aa on the 6th string 4th fret or the 5th string 11th fret. 2. Identify the string: 6th string—since the 4th fret’s not as far up the fretboard. 3. Choose the correct barre chord position: The chord is a 7th chord, so use the 6th string root 7th chord position and barre all strings on the 4th fret. You now have a Aa7 chord. www.PlaySmartGuitar.com 76 The PlaySmartGuitar WorkBook Figure 6-8 Aa7 Barre Chord 6th String Root If you move that chord position down one fret (a half step) to the 3rd fret, what chord are you playing? G7. The position can be barred on any fret, so that one 7th chord position can form 7th chords in all 12 keys. You could have played an Aa7 on the 5th string 11th fret, but most likely the 11th fret is further up the fretboard than you want to be. But who knows? If you can get there quickly enough, you might like the sound of that chord voicing better. Let’s look at another example: Bmaj7. If you need to play a Bmaj7 chord, you’d just follow the three barre chord rules. 1. Find the root of the chord you want to play: B. There’s a B on the 5th string 2nd fret or the 6th string 7th fret. 2. Identify the string: 5th string—since the 2nd fret’s not as far up the fretboard. 3. Choose the correct chord position: The chord is a maj7 chord, so use the 5th string maj7 barre chord position and barre the 1st thru 5th strings on the 2nd fret. You now have a Bmaj7 chord. Figure 6-9 Bmaj7 Barre Chord 5th String Root If you move that chord position up one fret (a half step) to the 3rd fret, what chord are you playing? Cmaj7. The position can be barred on any fret, so that one maj7th chord position can form maj7th chords in all 12 keys. You could also have played the Bmaj7 on the 6th string 7th fret using the 6th root Major 7 position. www.PlaySmartGuitar.com Lesson 6: Barre Chords 77 Barre Chord Guidelines If the chord is not identified major, minor, 7th, etc., then assume it’s a major chord. A, Aa, F#, Ea are all examples of major chords. The sharp (#) or flat (a) is part of the root name.For example, Ga,C#,Ba,F#. The root of the Ga is Ga not G.The root includes the sharp or flat. There are two forms for each chord: (1) the 6th string chord position and (2) the 5th string chord position. The one that’s best is usually the one closest to where you’re playing at the time. If possible, avoid moving far away from the chords you’re currently playing. Economy of motion is a good rule of thumb. The most common barre chords (for most forms of music) are the major, minor, and 7th forms. Memorize and practice these positions first. Figure 6-10 Pictures of How to Barre 123 1. Slightly arch your 1st finger and move it right up next to the fret wire closest to your body. The closer the finger to the fret wire, the easier it will be to produce a clean sounding chord. 2. Keep the thumb position in the center of the neck and keep the wrist down towards the floor. 3. The Major7 form with the root on the 6th string is the only barre chord that is not actually barred. Finger it as illustrated in Figure 6-10, Picture 3.
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