The Barre Chords.

The Barre Chords

One of the positive aspects of playing the guitar is connected to the fact that in many cases, the playing of a scale or a chord can be carried around the fretboard, where it can assume a different tone. It is actually this characteristic where the use of the barrè on the guitar is comfortable. Knowing some basic fingerings, it is possible to eventually play them in all tonalities by simply transporting the position. But what is the barrè?
Surely, for those who have not practised the barrè technique yet, many know or have heard about it or have seen it done by some other guitarist. This section is dedicated both to those people who want to learn more about the barrè technique, and to those who have never used it. Fundamentally, the barrè is an extension of a finger of the left hand up at least two strings. The finger has to press two or more strings simultaneously at one fret. This technique requires the finger to assume a certain position, as well as an evenly calibrated finger pressure on the strings, something that is quite complicated and tiring especially for someone trying the barrè for the first time. The exercises below must be played in succession, in order to gradually understand the technical aspects of the construction of the barrè, and also to do some training for the fingers of the left hand. Don't worry if at first you have various pains, especially to the tendons: it is completely normal. There is no need to go beyond the threshold that divides the simple bothersome pain from real pain. It is important to remember that when you begin to have the first signs of pain or cramps, stop for an moment to rest. This is to prevent any annoying problems with tendonitis. These suggestions should be followed in all study or work phases with the guitar.
Lets start with the study of the barrè. One last recommendation: it is mandatory that you at least know the basic fingerings of the chords in the first position. In the unlikely case that you are unfamiliar with these fundamental chords, go back to the section dedicated to the fingerings of the chords.

Phase 1: the approach

The first job is to set the fingering of the chord in E major, as in figure 1. The fingers that press on the strings are the index (third string, first fret), the middle (fifth string, second fret) and the ring finger (fourth string, second fret).	fig. 1
At this point we change the fingers that press the strings, in order to free the index finger. This way the middle finger presses the third string at the first fret, the ring finger presses the fifth string at the second fret and the little finger the fourth string, again at the second fret. The fingering is shown in figure 2.	fig. 2
The following action consists of transporting the entire block of the chord ahead one fret, in order to bring the middle finger from the first to the second fret, while the ring finger and the little finger move from the second fret to the third fret. The strings are unchanged, as can be seen in figure 3.	fig. 3
The free index finger is now used to press all six strings at the first fret, and here is where the pain begins. In fact this is the most complicated phase of the procedure, because you have to check all the strings, both those pressed by the index finger at the first fret (first, second and sixth string), and the others pressed by the middle, ring and little fingers.	fig. 4

To check that every string vibrates, you can play them one by one with a pick or fingers. It's very likely that you will hear some off notes: don't worry, its quite normal. Its important to understand the procedure. Here is a series of suggestions on how to get the best fingering for the barrè of the left hand.

Make sure that the barrè finger is as straight as possible, and therefore not bent on the strings. Being straight on the strings and pressing against them, all the strings are "blocked" between the finger and the fretboard. In theory this should give the perfect vibration to the strings.

The part of the finger that presses, especially for the index finger, will seem to be slightly off center. To understand this better lets make an example. Look at the palm of your left hand and in particular the index finger. Imagine a line that vertically divides it in half. The point where the strings will touched during the execution of the barrè, should be on a parallel line to the preceding one but slightly to the left. This is because the finger, in the pressure of the barrè, should be slightly tilted externally, and therefore not press flat against the fretboard.

Look at the position of the other fingers that compose the chord. One incorrect finger angle could interfere with the vibration of the strings pressed for the barrè. Work on this, remembering that the fingers have to be as curved as possible on the strings.

Phase 2: Models

We have seen how to create a barrè chord starting from a basic fingering of E major. This chord includes six strings, but in the Am chord for instance, only five strings are played. If we use the same system as before, transforming the Am into a barrè chord one half step above, the finger that stretchs over the strings will press the first to the fifth strings. The chord obtained in the first position will be called Bbm. Lets look at the procedure.

Bbm

There are many chords with open strings that can be turned into barrè chords, such as A, Em, and E7, just to name a few. In the next page we will organize a study to help learn the fingerings of the barre chords, and more importantly how to recognize them in every scale.
Remember that the lowest note in a chord, unless otherwise specified, is always the root, which is the note that gives the name to that chord. You will see how this can be extremely useful in the next page.