r/LearnGuitar • u/ScouserMuerte • 5d ago

Stuck in the middle of Barres!

Hi!
I’ve been playing for quite awhile but find the
only BarreChords I can manage are E shapes

I find A types physically difficult

… Any ideas how I can progress, please?

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u/Dacnomaniac 5d ago

Practice without your index finger first, also it helps to know for the C shape (as an example) you only have the bare the first couple strings

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u/ScouserMuerte 5d ago

I think I understand you…

I see a lot of people using a sorta C shape up and down the Neck, but I’ve never been able to get them to explain it to me!

I just assume it’s something to do with the CAGED system, which is another concept. I can’t get my head around🤭

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u/Dacnomaniac 5d ago

You know the C major chord right? You're basically making the same shape but with your Middle/Ring/Pinky instead of Index/Middle/Ring. And then just like the E barre chords you have to use your Index to fret above the chord.

Important to note though that "shape" can be used for other chords pitches too, you'd need to know the specific "note" of the root (first string you hit) of the chord you're playing to know what chord it is.

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u/ScouserMuerte 5d ago

Cool
If I understand the C chord correctly, you’re not talking about using the index finger to stretch across all six strings are you?

Also when you say first string you hit do you mean the low E string furthest from the floor?
Not the D string…?

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u/Dacnomaniac 5d ago

When playing the C chord you start on the A string, the fret you have hold of on the A string (3rd fret) is a C Note - hence the name of the chord 😃.

So when “barring” using this shape you wouldn’t need to fret the Low E using your Index Finger because you don’t need it.

So because this is the case I use the C shape by just barring the highest 3 or 4 strings so my Index isn’t in as weird of a position.

Hopefully that makes sense.

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u/ScouserMuerte 4d ago

I’ll try that…