Barre Chord - finger overlay

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by charles Tauber

Please do and share their thoughts on the practice.

Ahem. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Guys, don't worry about doing what world class guitarist's themselves do where it fits in.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

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

Hi D1

It's not necessarily a crutch, but it limits your ability to play more interesting chords by at least 25%.

Playing Barre Chords on a guitar with a decent setup is not a matter of strength.

Here are YouTube links to three 1 minute videos I made YEARS ago for students and friends which may help you make changes to your present technique.


Where is the Pressure? - CLiCK



Barre From Above and Behind - CLiCK



Barre from Front - CLiCK

These are not the only techniques people use to play barres, but certainly will give you some things to try out.

Have fun on your journey…

[Pitar]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

In modern playing styles there are no rules , do what works for you.

Agree. If you learn to augment the strength of the index finder good for you. It may be necessary on a harder to barre neck and you'll have the technique for it resolved.

[Deliberate1]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi D1

It's not necessarily a crutch, but it limits your ability to play more interesting chords by at least 25%.


Have fun on your journey…

Larry, thank you kindly for your vids and well-wishes. I will spend some time with them.
David

[BlueStarfish]

Here are two finger training ideas that worked to get me over the hump on bar chords.

First, if you haven’t already, learn your power chords, using 2, 3, and then 4 strings. They are not only useful themselves but excellent “training wheels” for bar chords. Learn them to the point where you can easily use them in songs, at tempo.

Next, check out:

https://www.guitarprinciples.com/sho...load-p-60.html

It’s a paid course and on the expensive side per page / minute of video. But I found it to be a bargain when measured by knowledge gained and skills learned. Certainly less than the cost of a single private lesson around here.

The basic goal of the material is to help you to train the micro-muscles in your hand and index finger so that you can play a bar chord cleanly with only modest pressure (and not a death grip).

[DukeX]

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

Due to higher/stiffer action?
David

I believe so.

[Mr Picky]

I rest my middle finger over my first finger a lot in fingerstyle stuff, don't even think about it. I don't need to for compression, more so to get it out the way if it isn't being used I guess.