CH05 80-101 7/24/2003 12:07 PM Page 80

Chapter 5 Playing Barre Chords and Power hords fter learning basic chords, C you can play barre chords Aand power chords to add flair to your . This chapter In this Chapter... discusses E-based and A-based barre chords, which are the most Introduction to Barre Chords popular types of barre chords, as The E-based Major Barre Chord Other E-based Barre Chords well as open-position and movable The A-based Major Barre Chord power chords. Some sample songs Other A-based Barre Chords are also included to help you Open-Position Power Chords practice. Movable Power Chords Songs for Practice CH05 80-101 Guitar 7/24/2003 12:08 PM Page 82

introduction to CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords barre chords

Barre (pronounced “bar”) chords are chords that nut that use strings that do not have a finger pressing require you to use a barre. To form a barre, you press down on them. down on multiple strings with a single finger, usually Since barre chords allow you to play chords at What are the benefits of playing your index finger. You also position the rest of your different locations on the fingerboard, these chords barre chords? fingers on specific strings to form a chord. You can are often referred to as movable chords. Using then move this finger shape to any location on the movable chords allows you to play chords away More Versatility Easier to Switch Between Chords fingerboard to allow you to play many different from the nut of the guitar and gives you more Learning barre chords can give you more options chords. The finger shape you use to form a chord versatility in your playing. when playing the guitar. For example, barre chords and the your index finger is positioned at allow you to play in all of the twelve keys, whereas Learning to play barre chords can be difficult. You determine which chord you will play. you can only play in five or six keys when you are may find playing barre chords painful at first because just using open-position chords. A key determines Barre chords that use the same finger shape as you need to hold your fingers in an awkward position the notes and chords you play in a song. Moreover, the open-position E chord and the open-position A and exert enough pressure to get all the strings to certain chords cannot even be played as open- chord are the most common types of barre chords. ring properly. This discomfort will subside with position chords, and therefore you need to play Open-position chords are chords you play near the practice. them as barre chords.

Less Memory Work What do barre chord Another advantage to using barre chords instead of open-position chords is that you only have to learn diagrams look like? one finger shape to play twelve different chords. Barre chords can make playing the guitar easier. Chord diagrams for barre chords look slightly Barre The finger shape you use and the location of your The location of a barre chord on the fingerboard different from regular chord diagrams. The This part of the barre chord diagram represents fingers on the fingerboard determine the chord you can sometimes be closer to other chords you want following chord diagram is color coded to show the barre. The 1 , which represents your index will play. If you played every chord as an open- to play than if you were playing open-position the three main parts of a barre chord diagram. finger, only appears on the strings that do not position chord, you would need to learn a different chords. This way you do not have to move your have another finger pressing down on them. finger shape for each chord. The reason why barre hand as much to switch between chords. Your index finger should be pressing down on chords allow you to play so many chords with one Example of a More Control Barre Chord Diagram all the strings under the symbol. finger shape is that your index finger acts as a new nut, allowing you to play chords at any fret on the Barre chords give you more control over the Open-Position Chord Shape fingerboard. sounds your guitar makes. For example, when you play a barre chord and you want a string While your index finger forms the barre, you use Barre 1 1 1 to stop ringing, you simply release the pressure 5fr your middle, ring and pinky fingers to form the of your finger from the string slightly. When you 2 chord shape for the chord. Open-Position play an open-position chord, which contains Chord Shape strings that do not have a finger pressing down 3 4 Fret Indicator on them, you cannot easily stop a string from Most barre chord diagrams indicate at which fret ringing. The ability to control how long strings to position your index finger by displaying the fret ring when playing barre chords can give your number followed by the letters “fr”. If a barre playing a cleaner sound. chord is to be played close to the nut, the fret indicator is not included. CONTINUED…

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introduction to CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords barre chords

What can I do to make playing Is there a different strumming barre chords easier? technique I can use to make How can I improve my sound barre chords more interesting? when playing a barre chord? Once you are comfortable playing barre chords, Position Your Hand Correctly you may want to play , instead of If you find that any of the notes in the chord strumming all the strings for chords. To play are not sounding when you play a barre chord, an , you simply pick individual strings try moving your palm more in front of the rather than strumming them all at once. For fingerboard. You may also want to try moving more information on playing arpeggios, see your elbow closer to your body to change the page 194. angle that your hand approaches the strings • To become more comfortable forming a barre on the fingerboard. with your index finger, you may want to try the following exercise. Hold down the 1st and 2nd Position Your Thumb Correctly strings with your index finger. When this feels The placement of your thumb is also important. comfortable, try holding down the 1st, 2nd and Position Your Fingers Correctly Make sure you position your thumb between 3rd strings. Keep increasing the number of When you form a barre chord, try to apply equal your index and middle finger on the back of strings until you are holding down all six strings. the neck, which will allow you to add pressure pressure with your index finger across all the • Try to determine whether it is easier for you to strings. You should also bend your index finger to the strings. Even though the pressure should form the barre first and then form the chord with very slightly and roll this finger slightly onto be firm, try to keep your wrist and hand as relaxed your other fingers, or to form the chord first and its side toward the nut. Using the side of your as possible. then form the barre. finger rather than the flat surface of your finger will help you achieve the best tone. • Try practicing barre chords on the closer to the body of the guitar. Since the frets are closer When you position your other fingers to form the together in this area, your fingers do not have to chord, make sure you are using the tips of your stretch as far. fingers to press down on the strings. You should also ensure that each finger is just behind the fret • If possible, practice on an electric guitar because and not accidentally touching other strings. Be the strings on an electric guitar are easier to careful that you do not pull your index finger press down than on an acoustic guitar. out of place when you position your other fingers. • Try to keep your hand relaxed, making sure your You may want to try picking each string individually fingers are not stiff. to make sure they ring clearly. If you hear buzzing • You can perform finger exercises, such as the or muted sounds, check your fingers to make sure exercises shown on page 37, before you practice they are positioned correctly. barre chords.

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the E-based major CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords Y O U H R C S E A L E How can I quickly determine

F T which chord is formed at each fret? barre chord F When you learn the names of all the E-based barre chords are the most common types fret behind. You can keep your fingers in the same F / G notes on the 6th string, you will be of barre chords. The E-based major barre chord is formation and slide your fingers along the fingerboard G able to determine which chord is formed at each fret when using the based on the finger positioning of the E . to another fret to play a different chord. G / A For information on the E major chord, see page 64. E-based major barre formation. The name of each chord you play using the E-based A To form the E-based major barre chord, you use your major barre formation is determined by the note your A / B middle, ring and pinky fingers to form an E major index finger plays on the 6th string. For example, B chord. Keeping the E major chord formation, you when your index finger is behind the first fret, you C then slide your fingers along the fingerboard toward play an F major chord because the note played by C / D D the bridge by one fret and form a barre by using the 6th string at the first fret is F. your index finger to press down all the strings one D / E E

PRACTICE

Exercise 1

GG ACAACA

Count:Count: 1 1 22 33 44 12341234 1234 1234 1234 1234

Exercise 2 BEBE DE DE

Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Exercise 3 2 1 1 1 DACA

3 4 2

3 4

Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 Place your middle finger 3 Place your pinky finger 5 Slide your fingers toward 7 Use your thumb to 8 Strum all the strings 9 Repeat steps 5 to 8 on • These exercises show simple chord progressions on the 3rd string, just on the 4th string, just the bridge by one fret. apply extra pressure toward the floor. each fret to play all that you can play by using E-based major barre behind the first fret. behind the second fret. 6 Press your index finger to the back of the possible major chords. chords. Perform these exercises to practice 2 Place your ring finger 4 Position your index firmly across the strings neck of the guitar. switching between the chords. on the 5th string, just finger above the nut, just behind the first fret, • Strum each chord toward the floor each time behind the second fret. but not touching the pressing down all the you see the symbol. The shape of the note strings. strings. indicates how long you should hold each chord: (4 counts), (2 counts), (1 count).

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other E-based CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords Y O U H R C S E A L E F Can I use my thumb to help me form an I am having trouble playing the E minor T E-based minor, minor 7th or dominant (Em) barre chord at the twelfth fret. barre chords 7th barre chord? What can I do? Once you are familiar with the E-based major barre placing your index finger across all six strings. Yes. You can wrap your thumb around the On an acoustic guitar, playing the Em chord, you can learn the E-based minor, minor 7th The name of each chord you play using these E-based fingerboard to hold down the 6th string barre chord at the twelfth fret is almost and dominant 7th chords using the same method of barre chord formations is determined by the note for the barre. Your index finger only needs impossible. Instead, you should play the barring strings with your index finger. Minor 7th chords your index finger plays on the 6th string. For example, to hold down the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Em open-position chord. An open-position have a mellower, jazzier sound than minor chords and when your index finger is behind the tenth fret and strings, since your ring finger always plays chord is a chord you play with some dominant 7th chords produce a more complex sound you are using the minor fingering, you play a D minor the 5th string. If you have large hands, strings not held down. For information on than major chords. chord because the note played by the 6th string at you may want to try this modification. the Em open-position chord, see page 66. To form one of these E-based barre chords, you use the tenth fret is D. For more information on the names Otherwise, this technique is best left to different combinations of your middle, ring and pinky of the notes on the 6th string, see the top of page 87. more advanced guitarists. fingers to form the chord. You then form the barre by E-Based Minor Barre Chord E-Based Minor 7th Barre Chord E-Based Dominant 7th Barre Chord PRACTICE

Exercise 1

FmFm Am Cm FmFm

Count: 1 2 3 4 12341234 1234 1234 1234 1234

Exercise 2

FF 77 D 77 G 77 C 77

Count:11 22 33 44 1 2 3 4 1 1 22 33 44 1 1 22 33 44

Exercise 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Bm 7 Am 7 Dm 7 Gm 7 2

3 4 3 3

Count:1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 Place your ring finger 4 Strum the strings 1 Place your ring finger 3 Strum the strings toward 1 Place your middle finger 4 Strum the strings • These exercises show simple chord progressions on the 5th string, just toward the floor. on the 5th string, just the floor. on the 3rd string, just toward the floor. that you can play by using E-based barre chords. behind the third fret. 5 Slide your fingers behind the third fret. 4 Slide your fingers toward behind the second fret. 5 Slide your fingers Perform these exercises to practice switching 2 Place your pinky finger toward the bridge by 2 Press your index finger the bridge by one fret at 2 Place your ring finger toward the bridge by between the chords. on the 4th string, just one fret at a time, across all the strings, a time, repeating step 3 on the 5th string, just one fret at a time, • Strum each chord toward the floor each time behind the third fret. repeating step 4 to just behind the first fret. to play all the minor 7th behind the third fret. repeating step 4 to you see the symbol. The shape of the note 3 Press your index finger play all the minor chords. 3 Press your index finger play all the dominant indicates how long you should hold each chord: across all the strings, chords. across all the strings, 7th chords. (4 counts), (2 counts), (1 count). just behind the first fret. just behind the first fret.

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the A-based major CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords Y O U H R C S E A Which major chords can I play using L E

F T the A-based major barre chord? barre chord There are twelve different A-based major the 5th string at the fret you are barring with barre chords that you can play. The name your index finger. You can learn the name of The A-based major barre chord is one of the most fret, keeping the same position of your fingers. You of each A-based major barre chord is the note at each fret on the 5th string to common types of barre chords. You can use the finger then need to form a barre by pressing down on the determined by the note that is played on identify which major chord you are playing. position for the A-based major barre chord on any first five strings with your index finger just behind fret on the fingerboard to play many different major the first fret. Even though you do not need to barre chords. the 6th string, you can barre the 6th string if it feels An easy way to learn the A-based major barre chord more comfortable. is to first form the A major chord using your middle, To practice A-based major barre chords, you can ring and pinky fingers. For information on the A major practice the exercises on pages 63 and 65, substituting chord, see page 64. Then slide your fingers down one the A-based major barre chords for the major chords. B /A B C C /D D D /E E F F /G GG/A A

PRACTICE

Exercise 1

DA CD DA CD

Count: 1 2 3 4 1234 1234 1234 Count: 1 2 3 4 1234 1234 1234

Exercise 2

EBFC

Count:1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

X X Exercise 3 1 1 G C BD 2 3 4

2 3 4

Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 Place your middle finger 3 Place your pinky finger 5 Slide your fingers toward 7 Use your thumb to 8 Strum the strings 9 Repeat steps 5 to 8 on • These exercises show simple chord progressions on the 4th string, just on the 2nd string, just the bridge by one fret. apply extra pressure toward the floor, each fret to play all that you can play by using A-based barre chords. behind the second fret. behind the second fret. 6 Press your index finger to the back of the without strumming possible major chords. Perform these exercises to practice switching 2 Place your ring finger 4 Position your index firmly across the strings neck of the guitar. the 6th string. between the chords. on the 3rd string, just finger above the nut, just behind the first fret, • Strum each chord toward the floor each time behind the second fret. but not touching the pressing down the first you see the symbol. The shape of the note strings. five strings. indicates how long you should hold each chord: (4 counts), (2 counts), (1 count).

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other A-based CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords Y O U H R C S E A L E

F T I find the A difficult to play What are the advantages of playing A-based barre chords at the twelfth fret. What can I do? and E-based barre chords together? The shape of acoustic make it By using combinations of A-based and When you are familiar with the A-based major barre You can use the finger positions for these barre chords difficult to play the A minor chord at the E-based barre chords, many chords will be chord, you can learn the A-based minor and minor 7th at any fret on the fingerboard to play many different twelfth fret. If you are playing an acoustic positioned closer together on the fingerboard barre chords using the same method of barring strings. minor and minor 7th chords. Like the A-based major guitar, play the A minor chord as an than if you were only using one barre chord. To form an A-based minor or minor 7th barre chord, barre chords, the note played on the 5th string by your open-position chord, instead of using a For example, if you use the A-based and you use a combination of your middle, ring and pinky index finger determines the name of each A-based barre. To form the open-position A minor E-based barre chords to play the D and A fingers to form an A minor or minor 7th chord. Then minor and minor 7th barre chord. For information chord, see page 66. You may also want to chords respectively, the notes for the D and form a barre with your index finger across the first on the notes played on the 5th string, see the top of use the E-based barre chord to play the A chords are on the same fret. If you only five strings. For information on the A minor chord, page 91. A minor chord, as shown on page 88. use one barre chord, the notes for the D and A chords are five frets apart. see page 66. For information on the A minor 7th For practice, play a that uses chord, see page 74. A-based major, minor and minor 7th barre chords.

A-based Minor Barre Chord A-based Minor 7th Barre Chord PRACTICE

X X

1 1 1 1 1

2 2

3 4 3

1 Place your middle finger 3 Place your pinky finger 5 Strum the strings 6 Slide your fingers 1 Place your middle finger 3 Press your index finger 4 Strum the strings 5 Slide your fingers on the 2nd string, just on the 3rd string, just toward the floor, toward the bridge by on the 2nd string, just across the first five toward the floor, toward the bridge by behind the second fret. behind the third fret. without strumming one fret at a time, behind the second fret. strings, just behind the without strumming one fret at a time, 2 Place your ring finger 4 Press your index finger the 6th string. repeating step 5 to play 2 Place your ring finger first fret. the 6th string. repeating step 4 to on the 4th string, just across the first five all the minor chords. on the 4th string, just play all the minor behind the third fret. strings, just behind the behind the third fret. 7th chords. first fret. CONTINUED… 92 93 CH05 80-101 Guitar 7/24/2003 1:10 PM Page 94

other A-based CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords Y O U H R C S E A L E

F T How can I make barre chords easier to My hands are sore from playing barre barre chords play? chords. Should I continue to play? Make sure the tip of your thumb is firmly No. As with any chord or technique, you You can learn the A-based dominant 7th and major 7th Just like all other A-based barre chords, the name of pressed against the back of the neck and is should never try to force yourself to play barre chords using the same method of barring strings each A-based dominant 7th and major 7th barre chord closer to the bottom edge of the neck. Your these chords if your hands ache––otherwise as the A-based major barre chord. is determined by the note played on the 5th string by thumb should also be perpendicular to the you may injure your hands. If you feel any To play an A-based dominant 7th or major 7th barre your index finger. For information on the notes played neck. In this position, your thumb acts as a pain in your hands, stop playing immediately. chord, you use a combination of your middle, ring and on the 5th string, see the top of page 91. pivot, allowing you to stretch your fingers as Because these chords are difficult, they may pinky fingers to form an A dominant 7th or major 7th For practice, play a few chord progressions of A-based far as possible. You should also remember take time to learn. Work at learning them to curl your fingers so your fingertips press gradually and with time and practice, you chord. Then use your index finger to barre the first five dominant 7th and major 7th barre chords. You may down on the strings, which helps to avoid will be able to master them. strings. For information on the A dominant 7th chord, also want to refer to other practice examples in this touching other strings by accident. see page 69. For information on the A major 7th chord, book and replace the major chords with A-based major see page 73. 7th barre chords.

A-based Dominant 7th Barre Chord A-based Major 7th Barre Chord PRACTICE

X X

1 1 1 1 1

2

3 4 3 4

1 Place your ring finger 3 Press your index finger 4 Strum the strings 5 Slide your fingers 1 Place your middle finger 3 Place your pinky finger 5 Strum the strings 6 Slide your fingers on the 4th string, just across the first five toward the floor, toward the bridge by on the 3rd string, just on the 2nd string, just toward the floor, toward the bridge by behind the third fret. strings, just behind the without strumming one fret at a time, behind the second fret. behind the third fret. without strumming one fret at a time, 2 Place your pinky finger first fret. the 6th string. repeating step 4 to play 2 Place your ring finger 4 Press your index finger the 6th string. repeating step 5 to on the 2nd string, just all the dominant 7th on the 4th string, just across the first five play all the major behind the third fret. chords. behind the third fret. strings, just behind the 7th chords. first fret.

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open-position CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords Y O U H R C S E A How can I play the three-string versions L E

F power chords T of the A5, E5 and D5 chords? An open-position chord is a chord that is played by Power chords are often referred to as “5“ chords because To play the three-string version of: strumming the strings of a guitar without fretting, or the second note of the chord is always five steps higher The A5 chord The E5 chord The D5 chord pressing down, some of the strings. Open-position power than the root note. For example, when playing the A5 chords also have at least one string not pressed down. , the root note is A and the second note Place your index finger on 1 Place your index finger on Place your index finger on of the chord is E, which is five steps higher than A. the 4th string, just behind the 5th string, just behind the 3rd string, just behind An open-position power chord is composed of the the second fret, and your the second fret, and your the second fret, and your two or three lowest notes of its corresponding major Due to their lower pitch and stripped down sound, middle finger on the 3rd middle finger on the 4th ring finger on the 2nd chord. The open-position power chords are A5, which power chords are popular in hard rock and heavy metal string, just behind the string, just behind the string, just behind the third is based on the A major chord, E5, which is based songs. You can hear power chords in older songs, such second fret. Then strum second fret. Then strum fret. Then strum the 2nd, on the E major chord, and D5, which is based on as “Iron Man“ by Black Sabbath, and also in modern the 3rd, 4th and 5th strings the 4th, 5th and 6th 3rd and 4th strings toward the D major chord. For information on the A, E and songs by bands such as Green Day and Blink 182. toward the floor. strings toward the floor. the floor. D major chords, see pages 63 to 65.

A5 E5 D5 PRACTICE

Exercise 1

A5 E5 D5 A5 A5 E5 D5 A5

Count: 1 2 3 4 1234 1234 1234 Count: 1 2 3 4 1234 1234 1234

Exercise 2

A5 E5 D5 A5

Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

X X X X X X X X X X X X Exercise 3

A5 E5 D5 A5 1 1 1

Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 Place your index finger 2 Strum only the 4th and 1 Place your index finger 2 Strum only the 5th and 1 Place your index finger 2 Strum only the 3rd and • These exercises show a simple chord progression on the 4th string, just 5th strings toward the on the 5th string, just 6th strings toward the on the 3rd string, just 4th strings toward the that you can play by using open-position power behind the second fret. floor. behind the second fret. floor. behind the second fret. floor. chords. Perform these exercises to practice switching between the chords. • Strum each chord toward the floor each time you see the symbol. The shape of the note indicates how long you should hold each chord: (4 counts), (2 counts), (1 count).

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movable CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords Y O U H R C S E A L Is there a way to mute the other strings E How can I play the three-string version of a

F power chords T movable power chord? when playing movable power chords? To play the three-string version of XXX Yes. When playing E-based power chords,

a movable power chord, place your 1 let your index finger lightly touch the other pinky finger underneath your ring strings you do not want to sound while Movable power chords are power chords you can play chord you play depends on the name of the note finger on the next string, just behind 3 4 pushing down on the 6th string. When on any fret on the fingerboard. This allows you to play played on the 6th string. When playing the A-based the same fret. For example, to playing A-based power chords, your index 12 different chords using the same hand position. movable power chord, the chord you play depends play the three-string version of the finger should reach over the 5th string to Movable power chords are composed of the two or on the name of the note played on the 5th string. E-based movable power chord, place your index also lightly touch the 6th string. When you three lowest notes of either the E-based or A-based Power chords are considered neither major nor minor finger on the 6th string, just behind the first fret. mute the strings in this manner, the strings major barre chords. For more information on E-based and are often referred to as 5 chords since the two Position your ring finger on the 5th string and will not sound if you accidentally strum and A-based major barre chords, see pages 86 and 90. notes that make up a power chord are five steps apart. your pinky finger on the 4th string with both them. You should hear only the two notes When playing the E-based movable power chord, the fingers just behind the third fret. Then strum you want to play. the 4th, 5th and 6th strings toward the floor.

E-Based Movable Power Chord A-Based Movable Power Chord

XXXX XXXX

1 1

3 3

1 Place your index finger 2 Place your ring finger 4 Slide your fingers along 6 Repeat steps 4 and 5 1 Place your index finger 2 Place your ring finger 4 Slide your fingers along 6 Repeat steps 4 and 5 on the 6th string, just on the 5th string, just the fingerboard toward on each fret to play all on the 5th string, just on the 4th string, just the fingerboard toward on each fret to play all behind the first fret. behind the third fret. the bridge by one fret. the E-based movable behind the first fret. behind the third fret. the bridge by one fret. the A-based movable 3 Strum the 5th and 6th 5 Strum the 5th and 6th power chords. 3 Strum the 4th and 5th 5 Strum the 4th and 5th power chords. strings toward the strings toward the floor strings toward the strings toward the floor. floor. again. floor.

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songs for practice CHAPTER 5: Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords

100 101