Uploaded July 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Barre chords are tough for beginners, but there's only way to get better at them...practice!
How to practice:
Start by just placing your pointer finger over all strings and getting a good sound without any muting.
Learn all over your notes on the top E string and the A string, to know where your roots are.
Understand that all of your barre chords come from open formations you already know. E, Em, Em7, E7, A, Am, Am7, A7.
Go through the exercise on 4ths I explained in the video and learn songs with barre chords, to apply them.
Exercise in 4ths:
Play through the following chords...the first time using major formations, the second using minor formations, the third using dominant 7 formations and the fourth using minor 7 formations.
B E A D G C F Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb (B)
Songs with barre chords:
Tangled Up On Blue: Bob Dylan (F#m)
Kryptonite: 3 Doors Down (Bm)
Hotel California: The Eagles (Bm, F#m, F#)
Creep: Radiohead
Say It Ain’t So: Weezer
Layla: Eric Clapton
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing: Jack Johnson
Lola: The Kinks
Fly Away: Lenny Kravitz
Let Love Rule: Lenny Kravitz
Peace Of Mind: Boston
Sweet Jane: Velvet Underground
Barre chords are tough for beginners, but there's only way to get better at them...practice!
How to practice:
Start by just placing your pointer finger over all strings and getting a good sound without any muting.
Learn all over your notes on the top E string and the A string, to know where your roots are.
Understand that all of your barre chords come from open formations you already know. E, Em, Em7, E7, A, Am, Am7, A7.
Go through the exercise on 4ths I explained in the video and learn songs with barre chords, to apply them.
Exercise in 4ths:
Play through the following chords...the first time using major formations, the second using minor formations, the third using dominant 7 formations and the fourth using minor 7 formations.
B E A D G C F Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb (B)
Songs with barre chords:
Tangled Up On Blue: Bob Dylan (F#m)
Kryptonite: 3 Doors Down (Bm)
Hotel California: The Eagles (Bm, F#m, F#)
Creep: Radiohead
Say It Ain’t So: Weezer
Layla: Eric Clapton
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing: Jack Johnson
Lola: The Kinks
Fly Away: Lenny Kravitz
Let Love Rule: Lenny Kravitz
Peace Of Mind: Boston
Sweet Jane: Velvet Underground
