[Calvin08]

So I've been playin for a while now. I can play most chords, and even a few songs.

I really want to learn how to bar a chord now so I can play power chords and such. I have tried for quite some time now but I cant even get my index finger to bar more than maybe 2 strings, which is making life tough. I push and apply as much thumb pressure as I can yet only maybe 1, or 2 strings actually sound when I try to play them all..

Any tips would be appreciated.

[Rockerbob]

First, make sure your guitar is setup well. High action will make barre chords very difficult. Also, the barre does not usually have to finger a couple notes as fingers in front of the barre are covering some. In many barre chords, the bass note from the barre is the most important, and usually fairly easy to get held down. I rarely play barre chords that use all 6 strings.

[allthumbs]

You only need the low E,A and the D string, sometimes, to do basic power chords depending if the root is on the 6 or 5 string. It looks like a barre chord but, in reality the index is only holding down the 6 or 5 string. The rest of the strings are being damped so most of the index finger is resting on the strings with no pressure. Your other finger or fingers hold down the other one or two strings.

Go to the lesson on C.A.G.E.D chords. The E chord has the root,1, on the 6 string and the 5 note on the 5 string. Slide the chord up one fret and just barre across the 6 string first fret while holding down the 5 string third fret and you have an F powerc chord,. Just move that configuration up and down the neck to change chords, The note relationships remain constant.
Same with using the 5 string for the root of the power chord. Look at the A chord in CAGED. The root on the 5 string and the five on the 4 string. Those are the two most common positions for playing power chords.

[Chaotic Kittie]

Originally Posted by Calvin08

I push and apply as much thumb pressure as I can

Just a word of warning, be VERY careful with applying thumb pressure. I used to apply quite a lot of thumb pressure when first playing barre chords, and I ended up with a pretty bad inflammation in the joint, took months to heal properly.

Just use as much pressure you can use and still remain comfortable and without tensing up. Don't worry if it won't sound clean at first, this will come eventually.

[Calvin08]

So I am tryin to play a B Minor chord with a bare.

When I strum each string most of them sound out except for the G and some times the high E string...

What am I doing wrong ?

[knight46]

Calvin,
I would be one of the last people to give advice about playing, but...I am working on a couple of songs that have a Bm and when I don't get a good sound out of the G and high E it is usually because I am using to much of my barre finger, I am to close to my hand with the guitar. I know that sound strange and I don't how else to explain. Hope that this helps a little.

[allthumbs]

Hm. Are you putting your thumb under the middle of the neck? That helps with the hand shape and leverage. It is mostly practice and fiddling with finger position. Can you play an A minor chord cleanly down at the nut with the same fingers you need to hold a barre chord at the second fret. You may be doing the B minor at the 7th fret. Less fingers but, the frets are closer together. A trade off.

[cshude]

Play with the positioning of the index finger. Sometimes it can help to roll it a little bit, and also can be easier to get a good ring if you place your finger close to the fret rather than in the middle.