http://playingthroughtheblues.com/blog/the-truth-about-barre-chords-bar-chords The PTTB Blog for updates, news, lessons, and more. Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:44:22 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://playingthroughtheblues.com/blog/the-truth-about-barre-chords-bar-chords/comment-page-1#comment-39 Greg Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:53:50 +0000 http://playingthroughtheblues.com/blog/the-truth-about-barre-chords-bar-chords#comment-39 Barre Chords always were an admirable accomplishment. When I was first starting out, because I had a fairly inexpensive acoustic guitar and the string action was high;it made it very difficult to play them. When I got older though, and could afford an electric guitar(not that you can't get an acoustic with low string action, they're usually higher quality and slightly more expensive plus usually electrics have lower string action, and there were other reasons I wanted an electric) but with the lower action of the electric and some perseverence and time, the barre chords became easier to use, thus my guitar playing horizons expanded exponentially, not only because I could play more chords, but also several other advantages opened for me, such as being able to use the entire neck of the guitar to play in more compatible keys for other songs-which needless to say increased my repetoire of songs. But gaining more pracitical exposure to tne neck of the guitar not only helped me to learn more(all) of the notes of the guitar fretboard but in some strange way it expanded my understanding of music theory, which in my book,if you want to compose, it's indispensable. So for me the barre chord is a big eye-opener. The stigma of fifth string barre chords was very intimidating to me at first, I thought it had to be exactly perfect with the ring finger not touching the top e so I would shy away, now I can do it anyway, but I also learned it's not that big a deal if it touches and a lot of barre chords require other strings to be muffled or dampened anyway. However, I do strive for clarity and correctness, but when first starting out anything new on the guitar, which is still quite often, I cut myself a lot of slack and I learned to rely on time and persistent application to eventually render the successful accomplishment of whatever it is I am attempting. Barre Chords always were an admirable accomplishment. When I was first starting out, because I had a fairly inexpensive acoustic guitar and the string action was high;it made it very difficult to play them. When I got older though, and could afford an electric guitar(not that you can’t get an acoustic with low string action, they’re usually higher quality and slightly more expensive plus usually electrics have lower string action, and there were other reasons I wanted an electric) but with the lower action of the electric and some perseverence and time, the barre chords became easier to use, thus my guitar playing horizons expanded exponentially, not only because I could play more chords, but also several other advantages opened for me, such as being able to use the entire neck of the guitar to play in more compatible keys for other songs-which needless to say increased my repetoire of songs. But gaining more pracitical exposure to tne neck of the guitar not only helped me to learn more(all) of the notes of the guitar fretboard but in some strange way it expanded my understanding of music theory, which in my book,if you want to compose, it’s indispensable. So for me the barre chord is a big eye-opener. The stigma of fifth string
barre chords was very intimidating to me at first, I thought it had to be exactly perfect with the ring finger not touching the top e so I would shy away, now I can do it anyway, but I also learned it’s not that big a deal if it touches and a lot of barre chords require other strings to be muffled or dampened anyway. However, I do strive for clarity and correctness, but when first starting out anything new on the guitar, which is still quite often, I cut myself a lot of slack and I learned to rely on time and persistent application to eventually render the successful accomplishment of whatever it is I am attempting.

]]> http://playingthroughtheblues.com/blog/the-truth-about-barre-chords-bar-chords/comment-page-1#comment-37 star Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:22:49 +0000 http://playingthroughtheblues.com/blog/the-truth-about-barre-chords-bar-chords#comment-37 I agree with you about barr chords one does tend to hold the guit closer to one's head. Yet a query ! How do the rock bands hold it near the waist standing or lower and do them ? I agree with you about barr chords one does tend to hold the guit closer to one’s head. Yet a query ! How do the rock bands hold it near the waist standing or lower and do them ?

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