It is difficult for me to hold the barred shape for long as my fingers get tired and sore. Hopefully with practice, it will become easier as my fingers get stronger. I believe there are exercises to strengthen your fingers
Hi Diane,
You can improve barre chord technique by first working on using all fingers to play a chromatic scale in one position(1-2-3-4 on the first string for example). Try to keep your left hand parallel to the neck with using the finger tips to make contact just behind the fret wire without reaching with the 3rd and 4th fingers. When this feels comfortable and relaxed, try barring just 2 strings (1 & 2) with your 1st finger. Make sure the 1st finger is parallel to the fret and note angled back. It should be right next to the fret. Then slowly continue to play the chromatic scale. When this is relaxed and smooth try barring 3 then all 4 strings with the chromatic scale.
Looks like I have the same problem with the barre chord. When I barre the 3rd fret, the 1st, 3rd, and 4th string sound Ok. But the 2nd string gets that muffled sound. If I rotate my index finger a little then I can get a decent sound on all 4 strings. But when I do that, I have trouble pressing down my pinky on the 1st string, 5th fret..
Hi Jim,
A good exercise to develop relaxed barre chord technique while using other fingers to play higher notes is to:
1. Practice a chromatic scale (1, 2, 3, 4) on the high string using 1st, 22nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers
2. Barre the top 2 strings and play the same 4 note chromatic scale on the 1st string
3. Barre top 3 string and do the same
4. Barre all 4 strings and do the same
The key to this is getting the chromatic scale very comfortable with good finger placement and a released hand before adding in
the barre positions. It will help you develop finger independence, good tone, sustain, and placement. Make sure not to reach forward with the
left hand 4th finger. Like to keep the finger curved (especially the middle knuckle) and use the right side edge of the finger tip to make contact.
You can see this in the videos and try to follow the hand position.
I hope this helps you!
Aloha,
Jeff
I am doing well, and understanding this! I like the explanation of the CAGED system. My question is about the placement of the thumb. The thumb’s home is usually in the center, sometimes peeking above, rarely going below. Does it ever go way above the neck?
Any suggestions on training it?
Hi Jerry, I suggest keeping your thumb around the middle of the neck. It can move higher or lower depending on the chord shape and technique you are using but this is a good starting point. I often move my thumb to the very bottom edge of the neck(towards the floor) to create more curvature in the fingers to avoid muting strings. I then do the opposite if I am strumming and want to mute strings with my left hand. The goal should be having a balanced hand position with the thumb directly behind the 2nd finger in the middle of the neck then altering this as needed.
It is difficult for me to hold the barred shape for long as my fingers get tired and sore. Hopefully with practice, it will become easier as my fingers get stronger. I believe there are exercises to strengthen your fingers
Hi Diane,
You can improve barre chord technique by first working on using all fingers to play a chromatic scale in one position(1-2-3-4 on the first string for example). Try to keep your left hand parallel to the neck with using the finger tips to make contact just behind the fret wire without reaching with the 3rd and 4th fingers. When this feels comfortable and relaxed, try barring just 2 strings (1 & 2) with your 1st finger. Make sure the 1st finger is parallel to the fret and note angled back. It should be right next to the fret. Then slowly continue to play the chromatic scale. When this is relaxed and smooth try barring 3 then all 4 strings with the chromatic scale.
Looks like I have the same problem with the barre chord. When I barre the 3rd fret, the 1st, 3rd, and 4th string sound Ok. But the 2nd string gets that muffled sound. If I rotate my index finger a little then I can get a decent sound on all 4 strings. But when I do that, I have trouble pressing down my pinky on the 1st string, 5th fret..
Hi Jim,
A good exercise to develop relaxed barre chord technique while using other fingers to play higher notes is to:
1. Practice a chromatic scale (1, 2, 3, 4) on the high string using 1st, 22nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers
2. Barre the top 2 strings and play the same 4 note chromatic scale on the 1st string
3. Barre top 3 string and do the same
4. Barre all 4 strings and do the same
The key to this is getting the chromatic scale very comfortable with good finger placement and a released hand before adding in
the barre positions. It will help you develop finger independence, good tone, sustain, and placement. Make sure not to reach forward with the
left hand 4th finger. Like to keep the finger curved (especially the middle knuckle) and use the right side edge of the finger tip to make contact.
You can see this in the videos and try to follow the hand position.
I hope this helps you!
Aloha,
Jeff
Very good exercise for strengthening and finger independence. Going to take some work to get good clear sounds and fluidity! Thank you!
Another outstanding lesson! Thank you, Jeff!
I am doing well, and understanding this! I like the explanation of the CAGED system. My question is about the placement of the thumb. The thumb’s home is usually in the center, sometimes peeking above, rarely going below. Does it ever go way above the neck?
Any suggestions on training it?
Hi Jerry, I suggest keeping your thumb around the middle of the neck. It can move higher or lower depending on the chord shape and technique you are using but this is a good starting point. I often move my thumb to the very bottom edge of the neck(towards the floor) to create more curvature in the fingers to avoid muting strings. I then do the opposite if I am strumming and want to mute strings with my left hand. The goal should be having a balanced hand position with the thumb directly behind the 2nd finger in the middle of the neck then altering this as needed.
Hi there,
I am getting better at barre chord. However, my 4th finger doesn’t want to compy.
Sorry, correction…my ring finger.