[melamay1]

Hi, I'm new here and I've been playing the guitar for over a year now. I was told I should work on E and A position barre chords instead of using a capo. I really dont even know what those are so if anyone could clue me in on how to get started. It would be so much easier if I didnt have to use a capo. Thanks for any suggestions!

[Fretsource]

E position barre chord
http://www.marshallamps.com/resource.../lesson_09.asp

I can't find a pic of an 'A shape' but it's just a chord that looks like 'A major' plus your index finger going across as a barre in the same way that the E shape is just an E chord with the finger going across as a barre.

Edit
oops - Found it on the very next page
http://www.marshallamps.com/resource.../lesson_10.asp


Both shapes are completely moveable. The exact name of the E shape chord comes from the note you are holding on the sixth string and the exact name of the A shape comes from the note you are holding on the 5th string.
They're calling the chords C major (for the E position chord) and D major (for the A position chord) because they're barred at the 8th fret (which is C on string 6) and 5th fret (which is D on string 5) - but they can be moved up or down to any fret. The name will change - but the 'shape' remains (E & A)

[LeeB]

I am currently learning a 12 - bar blues chord progresssin that uses Am and Dm
they both use the 5th fret for the barre. I think I read that this is a better place to start than say the F chord in E shape using the 1st fret ???

[allthumbs]

http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/easychords.html

[melamay1]

Thanks for the replys. I realize I have much work to do! I very much desire to learn more about playing. So much that it consumes a lot of my time. Thanks again.

[cshude]

Originally Posted by LeeB

I am currently learning a 12 - bar blues chord progresssin that uses Am and Dm
they both use the 5th fret for the barre. I think I read that this is a better place to start than say the F chord in E shape using the 1st fret ???

Sure, it's a lot easier working on barres up the neck. For most beginning players, the F at the 1st fret is the last one that they are able to master. You could even start at the 7th fret and work your way back down the neck until you finally get that F down pat.