Bar Chords for Beginners - no more pain and noises!

I know how annoying it is to learn how to play bar chords or barree chords well and clearly, so I decided to share my tips with you. These tricks have helped me to play bar chords clearly and effortlessly on the classical guitar over the years. I nthis video I'll be talking about the thumb position, the finger placement and how to use the elbow to play relaxed.

📦Check out my shop for stuff! They are good!

Check out my website for music, 1-1 lessons and more:

Sign up for my newsletter to get tips and inspiration to play more:

Join our community on discord!

Support my work:

For concert/masterclass/teaching enquiry:

Don't forget to like and subscribe!
Thank you for your attention, have a nice one!

My favourite 11 excercises collection is available now in my shop!

Don't forget to like and subscribe!

[elusiveeskimo]

Thank you for explaining guitar exercises and techniques in such a simple yet detailed way. I have actually played guitar for over 40 years. But thanks to a stroke I am having to teach my brain/body how to all over again. What had been automatic second nature body memory skills are gone. The simplest of movements again requiring what now seems an unreal level of thought and effort to do. Yes it gets very frustrating at times. Your videos, approach to teaching, way of explaining things, is helping fill in some of my gaps on this journey. I'll maybe never be able to play as I once did, but at least what I'm doing is starting to sound more like music again.

[willelder]

🙏thank you for taking the time to explain the small steps . 👍

[angelvieira]

Nice tips! Fun fact: the Portuguese word for "bar chord" is "pestana", which would translate as "lash" in English.

[merred]

Very good explanation. I use one additional excercise, perhaps for the more advanced. When you play without thumb contact you become more aware of the action of the shoulder muscles and the effect of using the arm weight.

[michelparadon]

Awesome! At last an exercise I can do using the tension/relax alternation. Thank you so much Beatrix.

[kelizabethg]

This was super helpful! I’ve been playing guitar for almost two years and even though I’ve had a teacher most of that time, I still find bar chords very difficult to do. Thanks for giving me a more helpful technique.

[TheinMoka]

Ha-- great timing. I was practicing bar chords earlier today. Thanks for the tips! They're great!

[grantvisser]

Great content. I’ve been watching these for a few weeks and enjoy the concise and helpful tips as well as good music. Thanks and keep up the good work!

[cyrilmoussoki]

Great tutorial.
Thank you for sharing

[libertylover]

I've always wanted to play the violin, but I cannot bear the angle my wrist has to be; so I want to learn to play the guitar. It looks like it will be more comfortable for my stiff joints. So I am watching your videos to learn things ahead of time and get them ingrained in my mind so when I buy my first guitar, I can apply the techniques you teach to muscles that have no memory of bad habits.
Thank you for your detailed teaching. I hope to incorporate them soon.

[sethbrowder]

Brilliant as always. Thank you for the instruction and insight.

[elapid]

Great explanation! I've added a version of the exercise to my practice routine for the past couple weeks and it's making a huge difference.

[documentalist-NL]

That looks like a great exercise. I will definitely try that out later today. Thanks for the clear explanation! Thumbs up! :)

[chrismaxwell]

I have been doing the F bar chord and had mostly. My elbow was tight in and the tip to use the weight of your arm was just the thing. Went from bar chord with little buzz mostly on B string to that B ringing out perfectly with that little addition. Thank you.

[jbzoblh]

Hello Beatrix. You make brilliant videos. Thanks for all that you do. You are an inspiration to me.

[saleseng]

Yep when it comes to bar cord grips or open position grips etc. it’s all about getting the nuance of the pressure so you don’t over apply in areas where it’s not needed tiring out the muscles in your hand too early.

[gregpastic]

Are they not barre chords? All my life I've spelled it 'barre.' I've never seen it spelled 'bar.' That's where you go for a drink...LOL. Lovely videos!

[alvinmatthews]

Last week I bashed my LH index finger with a hammer - still unable to barre properly ! However, I am finding your exercise is great therapy for my injured finger, and will also improve my technique...thanks very much Beatrix !

[franciscohinojos]

Wow thank you beatrix for another amazing tip video you the best

[xoxb]

It also helps to barre only the strings you need to. For instance, playing what would be a C shape (if in the open position) at the second fret for a D chord, you only need to cover the top three strings with your index finger, not all six. One of those things that's obvious but easy to forget.