#1
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Need a tip on barre chord for fingerstyle
I'm learning to play Julia (The Beatles) and making some decent progress. I'm struggling a little changing some of the chords because of untamed finger independence, but I am definitely getting there.
One of my biggest obstacles is getting clean barre chords. The song is played with the capo on the second fret and I'm being challenged by the Am7 (played as an Gm7), the Am9 (played as a barre Gm9), the B7 (A7), the G9 (F9), and the Gm7 (Fm7). All of these chords are barred and I can't seem to get my index finger positioned to play a nice, clean chord, which is not so much an issue when strumming, but very important when playing fingerstyle. Anyone have a similar experience - and a solution? I know "practice, practice, practice" is one of the answers, but I'm also wondering if there is a technique or particular way to barre my index finger to produce a clean sound. And for this I am tapping into the infinite wisdom of the AGF members... Thanks! Jim
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1980 Guild D50 (Westerly), Antique Sunburst 2010 Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500RE 2010 Taylor GS Mini 2011 Taylor 814ce 2015 Taylor 356ce (12 string) 1975 Carlo Robelli SG Custom (Sam Ash model) Fishman Loudbox Mini VOX AGA70 |
#2
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These are three one-minute videos on barres I made for students (and friends). They may help or point the way to some techniques which may help. Where is the Pressure? - CLiCK Barre From Above and Behind - CLiCK Barre from Front - CLiCK Hope these do bring some direction for you... |
#3
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Hi Jim,
What works better for me is to use the middle finger rather than the index for the root notes on those particular chords, YMMV. I still find the last 2 a little bit difficult only because they're so close to the capo. A lot easier transposed down a step & played open. Cheers, Mick |
#4
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For me, slightly rolling my hand so the barre is held more with the side of the index finger instead of the pads, and a little experimentation with where the finger lies on the strings (basically how close the first knuckle is to the fretboard) finally unlocked the clean barre chord for me.
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"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." -Zig Ziglar Acoustics 2013 Guild F30 Standard 2012 Yamaha LL16 2007 Seagull S12 1991 Yairi DY 50 Electrics Epiphone Les Paul Standard Fender Am. Standard Telecaster Gibson ES-335 Gibson Firebird |
#5
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It's not old-school but my barres and hammer-ons improved immensely after I started doing hand and finger exercises that pushed my left hand beyond the levels that just playing did.
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#6
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#7
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Just another thanks Larry for your help. I’ve been making adjustments you suggested on those barre chords and I am seeing improvements. [emoji106][emoji4]
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#8
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One more suggestion is to look at the notes being required while playing the chord in the song.
You might find that having clear notes from all of the strings isn't required & a holding a full barre chord might be overdoing it. I've found that I can easily get away with partial barre chords, simply because I only need maybe 1-2 bass and 1-2 melody notes in each section before the next chord change.
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2003 Froggy Bottom H-12 Deluxe 2019 Cordoba C-12 Cedar 2016 Godin acoustic archtop 2011 Godin Jazz model archtop |
#9
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Thanks for that. In “Julia” you cant get away with a partial barre in the measures in question, at least if you want to play it as written. It’s the same Travis picking pattern throughout but harder to do higher up the neck and being able to capture the bass notes on the low E. |
#10
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You're just going to have to practice it. With some barre's you can lay the barre finger flat, other times you have to put it on its "edge" and roll/curl it a bit. It depends. You have to look at the notation and see where you need the pressure and adjust as you go along.
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Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |