| Learning how to play barre chords (bar chords) is | | | | rolled onto its side. |
| one of the most difficult tasks any beginner | | | | - Check which strings you need to be holding: |
| guitarist will encounter. Since lots of songs require | | | | Your finger usually doesn't have to hold down |
| the use of barre chords, it holds many people | | | | every string for a bar chord. For example, an E |
| back from fulfilling their desire to learn the guitar | | | | shaped bar chord only requires you to hold down |
| properly, or even quit altogether. | | | | strings 1, 2 and 6 (the high E, B, and low E |
| The good news is that with enough practice and | | | | strings). Concentrating your index finger on holding |
| dedication, playing barre chords will become easy. | | | | only these strings, while your other fingers hold |
| All professional guitarists learned to play them, | | | | down the rest of the strings, will make this bar |
| you can too. Next time you feel like these chords | | | | chord easier. |
| are holding you back, remember these tips. | | | | - Your hand will get tired, but it shouldn't get |
| - Check your thumb: You need to literally pinch | | | | numb tired. If it does, you are holding down too |
| the neck of the guitar between your thumb and | | | | hard, and not concentrating enough on the correct |
| index finger, which means your thumb needs to | | | | technique. |
| be smack in the middle of the back of the neck | | | | - Practice bar chords for 5 minutes every day: As |
| of the guitar exerting just enough pressure, to | | | | you know, practice makes perfect. If you |
| pinch the strings. | | | | practice holding down bar chords for just a couple |
| - Check your index finger: You need to place your | | | | of minutes a day for 2 weeks straight, you will |
| index finger parallel with the fret wire, as close to | | | | get 300% better. |
| it as possible. Also, make sure your finger is not | | | | - Watch famous guitarists: Looking at videos of |
| just laying flat, but slightly rolled onto its side. A | | | | pros will motivate you, and watching their hands |
| straight and rigid finger will not work. | | | | will even give you pointers on how they are |
| - Check your wrist: The best way to hold bar | | | | fretting the chords. |
| chords is by moving your wrist forward, which | | | | Remember that anybody can learn the guitar, it's |
| allows your index finger to become flatter on the | | | | just a bit difficult at first. Believe me when I tell |
| neck. Experiment with different wrist positions. | | | | you that all professionals struggled with bar |
| - Check your elbow: Your elbow needs to be | | | | chords as well, but they kept at it, and learned it. |
| closer to your body while you are holding bar | | | | You can too! |
| chords, since this allows your index finger to be | | | | |