Quote:
Originally Posted by GeneC728
This is a really good explanation of how to use and play bar chords and hopefully it will be of great use to me. But just to be honest with you, I have tried, tried and tried to learn to make bar chords. I just cannot make a clean bar chord. I've practiced for hours, day after day and weeek after week but still can't do it. I've read every instruction on how to make them but I can't press down 6 strings with my left index finger. I have long slender fingers and it should be no problem but so far no luck. I'm not a beginning guitarist either. What's the secret, if there is one?
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Hi GeneC--
Compare the action (string height) on your guitar to another one. Maybe a new one in a store. See if this might be part of the problem.
Another thing to think about
: when making the full barre chords, you're not thinking about pressing down all six strings. You need to think only about pressing down those that need to be played!
So, for an F chord, E barre formation at the first fret:
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Only the 1's are what you need to concentrate on barreing.
For a C chord, A formation in the third fret:
x13331
Only the 1's need consideration (well, the barre of the 3's is another story). But also think about just playing the A string on this barre, and not always worrying about playing the E string. I mean, it's a good goal to be able to learn to play all strings, but only play the string that you need to play.
Another secret is to learn to play only partial barres.
Steve