How To Play a Basic Bar Chord

  • April 30, 2008
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BenandCarter from BenandCarter (and 3 others)

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When you first learn to play guitar, you’ll be strumming some pain with your fingers. But it’s the only way to start.

You Will Need

  • A guitar
How To Play a Basic Bar Chord: Lay index finger across strings

Step 1: Lay index finger across strings

“Bar” (in other words, lay) your index finger across all six strings just behind any “fret”—those ridges of metal or wood set across the fingerboard of the guitar that are there to help guide your fingers to the correct points.

When it comes to playing the guitar, your fingers are numbered. Your index is your first; your middle finger is second; your ring finger is third; and your pinky is fourth.

How To Play a Basic Bar Chord: Press down on strings

Step 2: Press down on strings

Bite your lip and press down as hard as possible. It’s going to hurt at first, but over time your fingers will toughen up.

How To Play a Basic Bar Chord: Position your middle finger

Step 3: Position your middle finger

Place your middle finger on the third string, behind the fret adjacent to the one you are barring.

How To Play a Basic Bar Chord: Position your third finger

Step 4: Position your third finger

Place your third finger on the fifth string behind the fret adjacent to the one that your second finger is on.

How To Play a Basic Bar Chord: Position your pinky

Step 5: Position your pinky

Place your fourth finger next to your third finger, this time on the fourth string. You now have formed a major bar chord.

The note that your first finger holds down on the sixth string will determine what chord you are playing. For example, if you’re playing this chord with your first finger on the F, you are playing an F major chord.

How To Play a Basic Bar Chord: Practice forming a chord

Step 6: Practice forming a chord

Take your hand away from the fret board and shake out your hand. Then see how quickly you can form the chord again. The more your practice, the less you will have to think about where to place your fingers.

The late Kurt Cobain claimed he was trying to rip off the group The Pixies when he wrote “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” whose opening riff is comprised completely of bar chords.

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Comments (4)

Del

Was easy, I'm on my way to becoming Eric Clapton Jr. No, on a more serious note, I think this mini lesson was a perfect beginning for me.

over 3 years ago by Del

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Janet_

So how it is going now ^ ^

about 1 year ago by Janet_

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Mrknowitall

My daughter wants to learn. I think this is perfect thank you.

over 2 years ago by Mrknowitall

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