Barre Chord Technique

Playing a barre chord involves using your first finger as if it was a moveable capo. These chords involve a slightly different finger and wrist technique than you use to play ordinary chords. You will need to learn to play barre chords because there are some major and minor chords that can’t be played as open chords and have to be played as a barre chord.

Playing a barre chord involves laying the first finger across multiple strings. Let’s concentrate on this technique before you play your first few barre chords.

1. Extend your first finger across the 2nd fret. This is called a 2nd fret barre. As with the other fingers, make sure the first finger is directly behind the 2nd fret, but not on top of it.
2. Though it’s all right to let your thumb peek over the top of the neck for open chords, you’ll need to reposition your thumb for barre chords. The thumb should be directly behind the first finger, which means you drop the thumb lower behind the neck.

Because playing a barre requires an unusual muscle configuration that is not exercised in everyday use, the muscles needed to maintain a proper barre can take awhile to develop. Be patient. Here’s a trick you can use while your hand gains strength: Use your forearm muscles to pull your first finger toward your chest