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Old 02-08-2020, 01:48 PM
Deliberate1 Deliberate1 is offline
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Default Barre Chord - finger overlay

As I make my early way into the world of barre chords, I sometimes have this urge to overlay my middle finger on top of the index for added compression. I have seen many videos of players who do this. But I am concerned that it may be a crutch that I will have to unlearn.
Your thoughts?
Thanks.
David
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Old 02-08-2020, 02:23 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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In modern playing styles there are no rules , do what works for you.
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Old 02-08-2020, 02:30 PM
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rick-slo rick-slo is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deliberate1 View Post
As I make my early way into the world of barre chords, I sometimes have this urge to overlay my middle finger on top of the index for added compression. I have seen many videos of players who do this. But I am concerned that it may be a crutch that I will have to unlearn.
Your thoughts?
Thanks.
David
Perfectly fine (and smart) to do that where it fits in with the current notes required in the piece.
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Old 02-08-2020, 02:39 PM
srbell srbell is offline
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It can work at times, but many, if not most, chords will require that the 2nd finger be used for other notes. I would recommend learning the classic/traditional fingerings for them first, then using the shortcuts or helpers where you can. Barre chords do take getting used to but your fingers will build up the strength needed over time. Dont press any harder than you need, and remember - even though your index finger will be used across multiple strings its really not playing all of them - only those that the other fingers are not fretting further up the neck.
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Old 02-08-2020, 04:16 PM
Deliberate1 Deliberate1 is offline
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Thanks friends. Seemed to me to be a crutch. I did not want to use it so habitually that it somehow inhibited the use of the middle finger when called on to fret.
David
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Old 02-08-2020, 04:21 PM
Deliberate1 Deliberate1 is offline
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Originally Posted by srbell View Post
Dont press any harder than you need, and remember - even though your index finger will be used across multiple strings its really not playing all of them - only those that the other fingers are not fretting further up the neck.
Appreciate that good advice. I always try to be "present" when I play. Seems that if I wander I end up clamping, and with barre chords, forgetting that other fingers have a job too.
David
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Old 02-08-2020, 04:21 PM
Kerbie Kerbie is offline
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I don't think it's a problem. I've seen a lot of people do that. Do whatever you need.
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Old 02-08-2020, 05:18 PM
Deliberate1 Deliberate1 is offline
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Do whatever you need.
Thanks, K.
I do typically play in "Survival Mode."
David
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Old 02-08-2020, 05:50 PM
lowrider lowrider is offline
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When you aren't using it, you have to do something with your middle finger. If you don't think about it, it will probably end up over your first finger. I don't worry about it.
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Old 02-08-2020, 07:20 PM
Deliberate1 Deliberate1 is offline
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Originally Posted by lowrider View Post
When you aren't using it, you have to do something with your middle finger.
Forgive me, but I did get a bit of a chuckle over that - a most appropriate use of that digit sometimes.
David
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Old 02-08-2020, 07:21 PM
DukeX DukeX is offline
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I don't even think about it anymore. My fingers seem to know if and when it is needed. Also depends on which guitar I'm playing.
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Old 02-08-2020, 07:27 PM
Deliberate1 Deliberate1 is offline
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Also depends on which guitar I'm playing.
Due to higher/stiffer action?
David
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  #13  
Old 02-08-2020, 08:44 PM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
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I’m not going to sugar-coat it: don’t do it if you intend to play music that is more “technically complex”.

If you find it difficult to barre chords, look to improving the setup of your guitar and to improving your technique. Barre chords do not require a great deal of strength if one’s technique is good and one’s instrument is well setup.
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Old 02-08-2020, 10:17 PM
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rick-slo rick-slo is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by charles Tauber View Post
I’m not going to sugar-coat it: don’t do it if you intend to play music that is more “technically complex”.

If you find it difficult to barre chords, look to improving the setup of your guitar and to improving your technique. Barre chords do not require a great deal of strength if one’s technique is good and one’s instrument is well setup.
I will pass on your advice to Bream and Chapdelaine (among others).

When it fits into the tune using the middle finger over index finger gives a clean sound without much effort.

Me



Bream


Chapdelaine
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  #15  
Old 02-08-2020, 11:42 PM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rick-slo View Post
I will pass on your advice to Bream and Chapdelaine (among others).
Please do and share their thoughts on the practice.
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