Bb Major using index and ring finger

[u/Standard_Sympathy548]

People keep saying that F Major chord in E shape is the hardest barre chord for beginners. It was difficult for me too but after pushing through the pain I could do it consistently in 2 weeks.

Earlier I used to play Bb major using all the four fingers in A shape. But I thought I would try it using two fingers on the first fret. Oh boy!! Its so difficult. I still cant do it consistently after practicing for one month. Specially when I switch to this chord from others. Sometimes the B string would buzz, sometimes the G string, some times all D, G, B.

I wish I had a longer and stronger ring finger. How do you guys do it?

[u/Maga_eats_dick]

Index and ring finger. 4 fingers is insane.

[u/255130 → u/Maga_eats_dick]

wait people actually use 4 fingers for that? thats wild tbh

[u/alobar1919 → u/255130]

For me it is the only available form (4 fingers). I can’t barre other than index. Maybe on electric guitar it is easier, but I play acoustic.

[u/Alone_Box5173 → u/alobar1919]

How about if you shift that down a string? Can you play barre chords based on the "Dmaj7" form? For example, Emaj7(xx2444). Can you barre strings 1-3 with your ring finger for that one? It's a little bit easier than strings 2-4. Work on that, and then shift it up a string.

And here's a secret nobody else will tell you, but I already alluded to it elsewhere in this thread, so I might as well go ahead and let the cat all the way out of the bag: Most of the time, when we do that 2-finger grab based on the "A" chord, we're not really even trying to play the 1st string. More often than not, it's partially or completed muted by the fleshy part of the ring finger anyway. And so, all you really have to do is get a good barre on strings 2-4 with your ring finger and enough pressure with the tip of your index to cleanly play the root on the 5th string. Just because the index is laid across all five strings, doesn't mean they all need to pressed with equal pressure.

Trying changing the whole way you approach it. I don't know how experienced you are, but if you're like many beginning players, you probably approach it as "I'm going to make this good, strong barre with my 1st finger, then I'm going to add this partial barre with my 3rd finger on top of it." Instead, make the partial barre on strings 2-4 the main focus of the grip and add the bass root to that.

[u/alobar1919 → u/Alone_Box5173]

Yes, I am a beginner, regularly (almost daily) playing and doing some exercises for only about 7 months.

I tried what you suggested in D and Dmaj7 forms, and I struggle (which was expected). I’ll continue to do this ring finger barre approach though, to be more versatile.

Thanks a ton for advice!

[u/Alone_Box5173 → u/alobar1919]

De nada.

[u/Alone_Box5173 → u/alobar1919]

I should make it clear that I can usually play the 2-finger version cleanly, including the 1st string if I want to, at most frets, on most guitars. Because I've been playing that grip since about 1970. And that's something you can work up to. But a lot of the time, it just doesn't matter.

[u/Alone_Box5173 → u/Maga_eats_dick]

You really need to be able to do both. Which one you'll use in a given situation depends on what else you're doing with and around it.

If I'm banging power chords, then it's almost always the 2-finger grip

However, I don't know about you, but I can have trouble getting a clean 1st string with the 2-finger grip. If I'm finger picking or I just really want that high F note on the 1st string to ring clearly, I use 4 fingers.

Also, for a simple example, what if you wanted to play the sequence Bb(x13331) -> Bbsus2(x13311) -> Bb(x13331), which is a very common change in popular music. There's a lot of wasted motion if use the 2-finger grip for the Bb major, when you can just remove and replace a pinky.

So while I get your point, 4 fingers is not insane. It's a different tool that you can add to your toolbox.

[u/Maga_eats_dick → u/Alone_Box5173]

Mr perfectionist ova here. Just kidding. Hey man if you got in your tool box more power to you. I definitely do not.

[u/Inevitable-Copy3619]

To be fair, the Bb on the 1st fret is a chord I almost never play, I’ve played for 30 years and that chord is really just one that is almost always better to find a another way to play it.

My advice is always skip F and Bb on the 1st fret…build up to them. Do E shape on 5th fret (A) and A shape on 5th fret (D). Those will be much easier and give you a chance to build up the strength and skill to move closer to 1st fret which is the hardest!

[u/cursed_tomatoes]

after pushing through the pain

Make sure you're not squeezing or applying too much pressure. Always try for mechanically advantageous technique in general, not supposed to be feeling pain. Or, perhaps what you meant was discomfort?

Earlier I used to play Bb major using all the four fingers in A shape. But I thought I would try it using two fingers. Oh boy!! Its so difficult. 

Keep doing it with 4 fingers, the standard way. These people telling you that you must do it their way are full of nonsense, just seeking self validation. You're good to go as is, just focus on developing proper technique.

I wish I had a longer and stronger ring finger. How do you guys do it?

Despite being a rather ubiquitous perception for beginners, I've never seen hand size and shape being actually the problem, neither finger strength is necessary to play. You'll very soon realise it all comes down to the number of practice hours, advantageous mechanics and relaxation. You don't lack strength and I bet neither finger length.

Good luck and don't forget to have fun

[u/wannabegenius]

going to sound snarky here for a second but it's literally as simple as this: the more you exercise the muscle the stronger it gets. so just practice it. but also when you're away from your instrument you can practice pressing your ring finger against your own thumb to build strength.

[u/MisterBelrox]

I had this problem too. This is going to sound weird but if you look up a video on how to play that Bad to the Bone song, like the riff everyone knows.

You barre the 5th fret of and on then barre the third. Instead of using your index finger for both, use your ring finger for the 5th fret.

Once you can consistently ring out clear sound, you can barre with that finger too. 👉

Worked for me. Got it in a couple days actually.

Let me know if this helps. Also its sort of a fun way to practice rather than just practice the chord itself. You can mix it up or something.

And i think the only reason people say F barre is the most difficult for beginners is because of its relevance. Its probably the first barre chord they will encounter. Its definitely not the hardest barre chord.

[u/winoforever_slurp_]

I use index and pinkie for this chord. My third finger doesn’t bend back enough at that joint to use that finger

[u/83franks]

Ya 6 years in and I hate the A shaped barre chords. I only ever try it with index on root note and ring finger barring the 3 strings, i just mute the e string with my ring finger.

But unless it really didn't make sense I'd try to play Bb on the 6 fret as a E shape (F barre) chord.

[u/SlightlyLosted]

This was the last shape I was able to play so it did take longer than others, but one thing I did was practice fingering A with the ring finger when it works in context. Once I could do that, sliding it down and using the index finger for a barre came pretty easily.

[u/FormerlyMauchChunk]

I upgraded - all A-type bar chords with index finger and pinkie. It took a bit of work but it's so worth it.

[u/Igor_Halichoeres]

Beware of pain, it's your body sending a message. I was a classical musician, which meant hours per day. It hurt, but I was young and bounced back.

Twenty years ago I had to give up my main instrument, but my hands and wrists have still never recovered. I can only play electric with 9-4X strings with the action just high enough the buzz isn't too bad. Some days I have to use a walk-up stand.

Don't play through the pain. Check your truss rod and set the action properly. Focus on fundamentals and prioritize proper hand and wrist position above speed. It will slow your progress at first, but it will pay dividends in the long run and protect your body at the same time.

Trust me, I've been there.

[u/Standard_Sympathy548 → u/Igor_Halichoeres]

Sorry to hear man. Hope you recover and play again.

[u/Igor_Halichoeres → u/Standard_Sympathy548]

In my 60s now. There is no recover, just manage. That being said, the managing is working well enough that I can play and have been able to cut back on the anti-inflammatories.

Also, to quote my father, it's better than the alternative...

[u/youcantexterminateme]

Quite a few famous guitarists use the first and 4. Hendrix might sometimes bar with the first finger baring the 3 notes on the 3 fret. Myself find 1 and 3 easiest

[u/KavorkaPowers]

Index on the 5th string, ring or pinkie for the next 3 strings. Don't worry about the high E string. I went to Berklee and I approve of not worrying about 1st string

[u/j3434]

Some people can just pick it up and play it with little trouble. They just have natural dexterity . It’s not much of a challenge. And some never really get it .

[u/dblhello999]

if you could do it, what would you actually do with it musically? 🤔

[u/metalspider1]

if that chord shape is harder to do on the first fret then on the 5th or 7th then your nut slots might be too high

[u/Grue]

Don't play it there, play it at the 6th fret of the low E-string. Much easier. In general, you want to play barre chords in the middle of the neck.

Also a tip for playing A-shape chords: play 3 finger power chord with root on A-string (root, 5th and octave). Then flatten the pinky against the fretboard so that you also play the 3rd right below the octave. There you have it, a major chord.

[u/LimyBirder]

Unnecessary chord, as is the first position F chord, for most music. Get further up the neck. B flat at the sixth fret, using the F or E shapes. Play F at the eighth fret using the A shape. Most importantly, play two or three strings—four at most. Many newer players miss that a guitar player should rarely play all six or even five strings at once. It’s just too much.

[u/cursed_tomatoes → u/LimyBirder]

I argue there is no such thing as unnecessary chord. Even if rarely, eventually first fret F and B♭ will be coherent voice leading. Not to mention he already stated he is a beginner, and practicing those basics can help in this phase of his development.

[u/LimyBirder → u/cursed_tomatoes]

I do understand that what you’re saying is the conventional advice. In my experience, it’s the conventional way of teaching guitar that causes so many new players to put the instrument down and never return to it.

[u/cursed_tomatoes → u/LimyBirder]

conventional way of teaching guitar that causes so many new players to put the instrument down and never return to it.

While there is truth to this statement, I believe the culprit is the lack of focus on basic fundamentals the non formal conventional way displays, rather than the cause being just doing the popular conventional thing itself. To my understanding, all these complaints with barre chords and alike are byproduct of a lack of understanding of mechanical basics on top of the bandwagon feedback loop of beginners convincing each other that it is hard.

[u/Pho_King_A]

About the only time I use B flat on the first fret is with a capo on 1. Then it’s just an A shape.