One barre chord I always seem to have trouble with is the Bb barre chord where I have to barre the first fret and form the A-shape chord on the 3rd fret. Can you do a video lesson of this chord and offer any tips on how to make it easier? I have tried everything by attempting using only one finger on the 3rd fret, 2 fingers, 3 fingers, etc, but nothing seems to get a nice clear sound for this chord. thanks again.
Need help with Bb barre chord
Hey mate. By no means am I an expert but I have some ideas. Do you have any trouble with the first fret barre with your index finger? If so, try rolling it slightly toward the nut so that you are applying pressure with the hard part of your finger not the fleshy soft part. Same for the 3rd finger. Hope that makes sense to you. The Bb is the hardest barre chord I think if that makes you feel any better!
Tony is correct that this barre is certainly the hardest to master. It gets worse as we get older because we lose a little flexibility in our fingers.
A couple of things to ponder. First, you can play this shape as a four-finger chord using your middle-ring-pinky to form the A shape. I have trouble with this because my hands are so big but lots of guitarists play it this way.
And be aware of when you don't need to hear the high E string under the barre. Many, many songs don't need this note so playing the full barre cleanly isn't critical.
Finally, it helps to work on bending your ring finger backward to increase flexibility. Obviously not to the point of pain but you can get a small increase in range by frequently working this joint.
Good luck and don't feel special because we all suffer from this difficult chord shape! :cheer:
A couple of things to ponder. First, you can play this shape as a four-finger chord using your middle-ring-pinky to form the A shape. I have trouble with this because my hands are so big but lots of guitarists play it this way.
And be aware of when you don't need to hear the high E string under the barre. Many, many songs don't need this note so playing the full barre cleanly isn't critical.
Finally, it helps to work on bending your ring finger backward to increase flexibility. Obviously not to the point of pain but you can get a small increase in range by frequently working this joint.
Good luck and don't feel special because we all suffer from this difficult chord shape! :cheer:
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neverfoundthetime
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Hi Fischer... you are right, the Bb is a bummer. I always play it with index on the high E at fret 1 and then the a shape on the 3rd fret with 3 fingers. Until now. I just tried the full barre on my nylon string guitar and what d'you know, I can do no problem... must have been making progress on the other barres and not even noticed that I can now do the full barre on the Bb. That's TG for you! I notice that the thumb position is crucial to get this right.
The Bb is a very difficult chord to play.
It is so hard because you are playing at the 1st fret where the string tension is at it's highest.
To start with you could practice the same chord shape but further up the neck.
Maybe at the 5th fret where you would actually be playing a D chord.
Also practice in small doses. This takes time and doesn't happen in a day.
Also there is a chance of straining your hand if you do it too much.
It is so hard because you are playing at the 1st fret where the string tension is at it's highest.
To start with you could practice the same chord shape but further up the neck.
Maybe at the 5th fret where you would actually be playing a D chord.
Also practice in small doses. This takes time and doesn't happen in a day.
Also there is a chance of straining your hand if you do it too much.
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Music Junkie
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- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:17 am
- Status: Offline
This is the chord I have the hardest time with as well. Mark makes a great point though. To get the feel for the shape, it is good to try it further up the neck for a while and then slowly work your way back down through your practice sessions.
I wish I could play it as a four fingered chord, but my fingers won't fit. I find it easiest as a three finger chord. My index finger barres across the first fret and then I have my pinkie on the B-string at the 3rd fret while my ring finger barres the D and G strings at the 3rd fret. Took me a while to get this one down, and it still does not always sound right.... :ohmy:
J
I wish I could play it as a four fingered chord, but my fingers won't fit. I find it easiest as a three finger chord. My index finger barres across the first fret and then I have my pinkie on the B-string at the 3rd fret while my ring finger barres the D and G strings at the 3rd fret. Took me a while to get this one down, and it still does not always sound right.... :ohmy:
J
I find that it is more efficient to bar with the index on the first fret and then a small bar covering 3 strings with the ring finger (I also use my pinky to do the small bar but it is not as efficient). As Bear mentionned , if the high E is not clean at first, you still get a good sound.
The benefit to use the small bar covering the 3 strings, is that you can do seventh chords or rock rhythms using your pinky. Also it is easier to switch quickly from E or Am bar chord the the A shape like Bb since tip of the ring finger is already at the right spot.
Marc
The benefit to use the small bar covering the 3 strings, is that you can do seventh chords or rock rhythms using your pinky. Also it is easier to switch quickly from E or Am bar chord the the A shape like Bb since tip of the ring finger is already at the right spot.
Marc