Forming Barre chords
As previously discussed in the note theory lesson, we know that the notes on the Low E string are, E at open, F at fret 1, F# at fret 2, etc. We can simply apply the same rule to chords.
So if you take an ordinary open E major, we should be able to produce, F, F#, G, etc, by moving the chord up the neck.
So form an E major chord on your guitar. Move your hand so that all of the notes slide up by one fret. Then all you have to do is put a full bar right across the whole of the first fret, and you have an F major. From previous lessons you will recognise the F major as you should have already learnt that.. So how do you go to F# major, quite simply, move the complete F chord up another fret (your bar finger should now be at the second fret), and so on, for G, G# major, etc.
The same applies for all other chords. Take an Eminor for instance. Move the notes up one fret and add a full bar across the first fret, now you have F minor.
This can be applied to all chords, but generally you are most likely to use it inconjunction with chords based on the open E major and open A major. You’ll encounter bars based on open D occasionally, and in blues/jazz chords based on open C are quite common. To this effect I’ve added sheets to the chord section which are entitled E shapes, A shapes and C shapes, that give most of the chords your likley to require. The C shapes shown are mostly concerned with blues and jazz, and therefore, ordinary minor, major, etc chords are not shown. I’ll leave you to work out some D shapes on your own as a good homework exercise.
I use the term E shapes to apply to all chords generally based around an E major, for instance as you can see in the case of E major and E minor, we’ve only removed one finger to go from major to minor. This is generally the case, that moving a finger or two to a different note brings up a new chord. If you look through the E shapes page you’ll see this. Not all combinations have been shown, but just the ones your likely to encounter, but experiment and see what other chords you can come up with.
So why have those particular chord shapes been given?
Well in the case of E shapes, it would be quite common to use those between open (E) and say the seventh fret (B). The A shapes would be used between open (A) and the seventh fret (E). So as you can see we cover all chords from E right through to E again, just be relying on two shapes.
So that should be you fixed up as far as bar chords go. But for some extra homework, look at the theory lessons on notes, chord structure and bar chords and see how they all tie together. It may seem alot to remember or figure out, but trust me its not really, it should sink in after awhile and will give you an excellent knowledge base for progressing further.
