Barre Chords

Barre chords are chords that do not contain any open strings. All notes are fretted
and a single finger may need to hold down as many as 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 6 strings.

If a chord is displayed as a natural (E, C, B, etc.) it is a given that it is a major chord.

G by itself is the same as calling it G major, but you should just call it G.

If a chord has a lower-case m next to it then it is a minor chord. Am is the same as

saying A minor. Am7 is the same as saying A minor seventh. A7 is just A seventh; we
know that it’s a major because it’s a given, so we don’t even need to say major – its
just A seventh.
We will be playing barre chords in two different positions. One position will be rooted
on the E string and the other position will be rooted on the A string. The root note is
the note that tells you the name of the chord or scale. For example, if the root note
is G, then the chord or scale will be G. In all of the barre chord positions in this lesson
our root note will always be our lowest note. So if we are doing barre chord positions
on the A string, then the name of the chord will be the same as the fretted note on the
A string – which is our root note. If we are doing barre chord positions on the E string,
then the name of the chord will be the same as the fretted note on the E string – which
is our root note. Find the name of the root note using the chromatic scale and you will
have the name of your chord.

We will no longer use X to remind you not to play that string. From here on, you will
only play the strings that you are pressing on. If a tab line has nothing written on it,
then do not play that string.

Barre Chords – root on the E string

G G Gm Gm

The Curious Guitarist

The best way to play this position is to hold down (or bar) all six strings on the 3 rd fret
with your index finger. Then put your other fingers on the appropriate frets. Even
though your index finger is not responsible to hold down all six strings on the third fret,
only three or four strings, it is best to get accustomed to holding down all the strings
with the index finger.

In the above positions, the root note is the first note on the low E string on the 3 rd fret.
We know that this is G because if we count up on the open E string from the chromatic
scale we will get open E – first fret F – second fret F# - third fret G. That’s why these
are G & Gm chords. If we move the whole position up two frets to the A, then these
chords would be A & Am.

Barre Chords – root note on the A string

C C Cm Cm

C is on the 3rd fret on the A string and is our root note, which is why these chords are C
& Cm. Again, we can move this entire position to any root note on the A string. In the
C example you can use your ring finger to hold down all three notes on the 5 th fret. Or,
you can use all four fingers to play this chord. Certain situations are considered to be
“player’s preference.” The Cm example is best to use all four fingers.

The Curious Guitarist

Barre Chords – root note on the E string – sevenths
G7 G7 Gm7 Gm7

Barre Chords – root note on the A string – sevenths

C7 C7 Cm7 Cm7

The Curious Guitarist

Barre Chords – Various - root on the E string
A Am F Fm B Bm C Cm C# C#m

Barre Chords – Various - root on the A string

Bb Bbm B Bm Cm D7 E7 Em7 Gm7 F#7

The Curious Guitarist