The BEST Way to Improve Barre Chords

My Favorite Guitar + Filming Gear at Sweetwater

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[guitartunes]

This is easy. Just learn to move your capo fast.

[Citadel]

There's so many songs I would look at playing and then come across a barre chord and say "no."

I forced myself to play the F in Hotel California (thanks for that lesson Marty!) as a barre chord and after playing it a hundred times I finally started getting it.

[frmacleod]

I've only been playing guitar for five months. After some practice -- I can make the f-barre chord shape now with little hesitation -- although the B string still doesn't ring out. But I'm not worried. I remember the days when it took me two minutes just to get my fingers set. I know eventually everything will come together.

Edit: I’ve been playing for two years now and the idea of not being able to play barre chords seems like a foreign concept. They are beginner chords in my mind now. Never give up.

[guitarstar]

I fear no man, but those chords scare

[Frank_Serota]

the elbow trick literally improved my playing 10 fold (I still suck, but now I suck less so at least we're moving in the right direction lol)

[coreycarr]

My dad is 60, barely knows what youtube is. I showed him your channel as im much more of a beginner. Anytime he has trouble learning a new song he always says "lets see how marty plays it!" lol cracks me up

[RCSmiths]

Barre Chords definitely are not easy at first, but they are convenient and useful when you get the hang of them!

[Mrbigbaddaddy]

The spray noises are the most important part I think. Its a must.

[robny]

“You gotta play it bad... eventually... little less bad”

As Marty pulls his hand from his guitar and has a one on one with it.
Your hand responds, priceless!!!

[robertnguyen]

A absolute king providing the free resources from learning guitar, if marty music wasn’t here, I would of never gave guitar another go

[chrisjoncoaltz]

The best video on Barre chords I have seen. Showing how the elbow position changes so much and how it affects the index finger alignment seems so easy, but no one ever goes to that level of detail.

Thanks Marty!

[workingtoseethelight]

You just improved my "Barre" chords in seconds cause I can spell them correctly now!

[miahorg]

Due to injuring my elbow I can't rotate my wrist as flat (supination) so some chords were very hard. I found that barre chords were much easier when I used a strap and played standing up. This allows me to rotate the guitar at an angle to my torso and also have the headstock higher. This is a really great tip to check the alignment of your elbow to your wrist when working on barre chords.

Also, forcing yourself to use them in a musical context is the only way to really get good at them. When I'm jamming I can get away with the hendrix style chords that are the most comfortable to play, but other peoples songs often require a certain voicing that isn't always available. Barre chords really do open up the neck.

[shane]

Ah I see the problem now, I need to go get a Gibson to be able to improve my Barr chords. Cheers

[jerrycreighton]

Love how Marty teaches things on the guitar I've been playing guitar since I was 10 now 67 I am a better guitar player now that I've ever been thanks to Marty's videos. I have learnt 50 songs from different things he has showed my newest song I learned to play was runaway Del Shannon a lot of the things he talks about I taught myself from watching people play in band and he breaks things down and makes it much easier then having books and going to a guitar instructor. Keep up the great work Marty you should show on one of your videos how to play ain't talkin about love my Van Halen I got a little of it worked out on my own but need help. Keep up the great videos, 🎸🎸🎸

[maxcool]

I might humbly add ...
1) Using a capo will dramatically reduce the finger strain needed to perform barre chords. It is a great training asset.
2) There is no shame in using your strumming hand to physically move your fretting fingers into their new positions for a while. Will-power and wish-power just aren't enough at first.

[tmurphy]

I'm doing the course on barre chords and it's fantastic. Deep explanations into what's going on. Breaks it down into small steps. Pure Marty. Thanks for this.

[MetHerInBaghdad]

Marty, you need to do a ... here is where I started playing guitar, and how I ended up here today. We need to hear the backstory on you. The way you pick up someone's guitar and just absolutely blow them away is amazing (look at Beato's face and the owners of every Memphis guitar shop you visit). Give up the goods on the Marty!

[togaplop]

The elbow tip has helped me so much. I now have a fighting chance of playing a Bm or an F most of the time. Thank you.

[misdamagoo]

So well explained. Great to see REAL basics of playing explained with simple clarity. Top stuff Marty!