Tutorial on barre chords

Tutorial on Barre chords

A barre chord is a chord that has the same formation but it can be moved throughout to the frettboard to creat differect chords. To me it seems a lot easier than using most regular chords because all you have to do is move the chord. So lets get started...

We'll start with a root 6 barre chord. The first thing to do is to make a regular E chord, but switch up the fingering so you first finger(pointer) is free. (shown below)

(the fingers count up, the pointer is the first, middle is second, .ring is 3rd, and pinky is fourth, the thumb is also sometimes used to play chords but we won't worry about that)

Read the following like tab

E--0-
B--0-
G--1- 2nd finger
D--2- 4th finger
A--2- 3rd finger......
E--0-....................

Now that you have made this chord strum it and ensure that your pressure down hard enough on each string so the notes sound clear. Now try moving the whole chord up one fret (to the right) now cover all 6 strings with your first finger on the first frett. You now have made and F chord. (below)

E--1- 1st
B--1- 1st
G--2- 2nd
D--3- 4th
A--3- 3rd
E--1- 1st


By moving that up a half step (one fret) you now have an F sharp, then G, G sharp.. so on. That chord can be moved up and down the fret board to make all standard chords. When the first fret is barred the chord is an F, 2bd, F sharp, 3rd G, 4th Gsharp, 5th A, 6th A sharp, 7th B, 8th C, 9th C sharp, 10th D, 11th D sharp, 12th E...and the cycle starts over.


Using almost the same format you can make minor chords, seven chords, and minor seven. To make a minor chord you simply remove your 2nd finger. So below is an A minor chord

E--5-
B--5-
G--5-
D--7-
A--7-
E--5-

To make a seven chord you simply remove your 4th finger. So below is an A7 chord.

E--5-
B--5-
G--6-
D--5-
A--7-
E--5-


To make a minor chord you remove both your second and fourth finger. So below is and A minor 7 chord.

E--5-
B--5-
G--5-
D--5-
A--7-
E--5-


That is basically it for root six barre chords. Enjoy!