How to Master Bar Chords (Guitar Lesson)

In this video, Guitareo instructor Ayla will teach you how to master bar chords on guitar.

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0:00 - Intro
In this lesson, Ayla teaches you how to play and master bar chords so you'll be able to find shapes you can move around the fretboard easily.

0:57 - 6-4-1-5 Chord Progression
This chord progression is used in hundreds of songs over the years including “Africa” by Toto. The best part about this chord progression is that you only need to know two shapes.

1:32 - Finding the Root Note
The first and most important thing is to find the root note (the starting note) before you figure out where to play the bar chord.

2:26 - Building the Bar Chord Shape
The next step is to build the minor bar chord shape by taking your index finger and lay it flat across the strings (and have all the notes ring out) comfortable enough for you to play.

4:46 - Moving the Bar
Move the bar and play through each string one at a time for the following frets: 7th fret, 3rd fret, 10th fret, 5th fret.

7:06 - A Minor Adjustment
Turn the bars into an actual chord to the minor bar chord that you can move around the fretboard (as long as you find the right root note).

7:57 - Major Chord Shape
Turn the bar into a major chord by taking the minor third and raising it a semi-tone turning into a major third. This chord can also move around the fretboard as long as you fin the right root note.

10:00 - Other Adjustments
If you encounter anything that isn’t ringing out when playing through the chord progressions, make the adjustments you need.

11:45 - Finger Placement
Another problem you may have is not having your fingers upright enough. Have your fingers at an angle instead of flat to avoid tension in your hands.

12:28 - The G String
Another common issue is the G string not ringing out due to not having enough pressure as the other strings. Again, this will require more finger adjustments to ensure all the strings ring out equally.

About Ayla Tesler-Mabe:
Ayla has been making waves in the world of guitar playing as a professional guitarist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer, since the early age of 14. After only been playing for two years, her first YouTube video (a rendition of John Mayall’s “Hideaway”) put her on the map and kickstarted her music career. She has since been featured in Rolling Stone magazine, become a member of the Ernie Ball and Fender family of artists, and earned various Berklee College of Music scholarships. Musically, Ayla finds great pleasure in exploring the numerous avenues available to her through various styles of music, as seen through her work with Calpurnia and Ludic.

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[MusoraMedia]

Ready to level up your playing? Get personal coaching tips and structured lessons: enjoy your free 7-day trial to Guitareo!

[theoskeptomai]

I am a retired professor and can recognize that this young lady is an exceptional instructor - and probably the single best instructor I have ever encountered. Her introductions, illustrations, conceptualizations, repetitions, comparisons, corrections, and recommendations are always so well explained and encouraged. And her ability to communicate her expertise is uncanny. Souls like her are so rare.

[stankhomenko]

You're a great teacher because you have a wonderful way with connecting with your audience by being authentic, caring, and supportive. Thank you!

[blessedkingemboss]

Wow she is such a humble and kind teacher..
Africa on classes.
Beautiful lessons

[codyroberts]

she's the best and her voice is so tranquill

[jonrusso]

You make a student feel like it's OK to be student, and you deserve the praise you receive for your style. Keep it coming. Please.

[DadTalk]

I’ve been playing guitar for close to 20 years and have never come across such an awesome and easily informative lesson like this. So much info without being too overwhelming, this video would have made my life easier 20 years ago! Definitely subbing

[letusenjoylife]

this is the most helpful practicing bar chords, thank u

[joeym.delgado]

Thank you for a very clearly laid out lesson. Learn to Crawl, then Walk, then Run is a good teaching method. Well done. I'm excited to improve my bar chord techniques.

[JamesWalker-bhnc]

Thank you for the best lesson on barcords

[peachesb-georgia]

So glad I was looking through my threads this morning... will definitely be coming back to you... again and again...

[jstandley]

As an older adult beginner, I've mastered the "cowboy" chords but struggled with forming barre chords comfortably with good tone. Your tips on wrist position and index finger rotation made an instant improvement in sound and comfort. You just opened up a whole new world on guitar for me !!! Thank you so much for your clear instruction. Keep the great lessons coming.

[Keziapurrs]

this is one of the best explanations of the creation of bar chords that i've seen! I'm an intermediate player and your simple explanation really opened my eyes to the meaning behind the bar chord build. Thanks!

[bradwilliams]

That was a beautiful and such a soothing guitar lesson. Also, thank you for making it less technical than all the others and easier to understand.

[jeffbriggs]

Thanks! I've been playing for years and it never hurts to hear some tips to make it sound better.

[robertodelaborbolla]

Never done bar chords, was a great lesson. Learned a lot. I do piano more. This has been a great experience. Thnks

[onewheelisbetterthan]

I don't have years of experience I have maybe 24 to 40 hours of practice total on guitar but I am determined and I am thankful that you took the time to explain this. Made it every easy for me to catch on here. Super stoked about playing every day I get better and its awesome!

[watchison]

Thank you. You have a way of breaking up the parts needed to learn just right. I so appreciate your cool style as a teacher.

[libertycowboy]

Wow! Been playing since the 90s, and have never understood bar chords. I tended to avoid them as well since I couldn't seem to make the strings ring. With this one lesson I'm suddenly making it work! Thank you thank you thank you!

[woodbinetitties]

I'm so glad I discovered your site. I've trawled and trawled and listened to so many. They're all good, but you are so clear, precise and descriptive. Thankyou 🇬🇧🇺🇸