Guitar Barre Chords and
Movable Chord Shapes

In these lessons, we'll be looking at 5 main chord shapes. Why shapes? Well, the five main barre chords are derived from the shape/form of those 5 open position chords most of us learn as beginners - you know the ones - E, A, D, G and C, down at the first few frets.

These are our foundation chord shapes, and we refer to these same basic shapes as we move them up the fretboard and create barre chords from them.

So, in a nutshell, here's what you can look forward to learning:

• Automatically knowing how to play several voicings of the same chord in different positions over the fretboard. This is about expanding your creative options.
  
• Knowing how to modify the standard barre chord shapes to create loads more interesting chords.
  
• Having the physical confidence and the muscle memory to change between what would otherwise be awkward chord shapes.

So, let's get stuck in, starting with E shape barre chords...

Quick Links > The Theory | Fingering | Exercise & Jam Track | Chord Chart

E shape barre chords - First, the theory

Now, the physical side - Building up those finger muscles!

At first, ouch! You'll find that barring your index finger across all 6 strings like that is difficult to begin with.

With only your index finger barred, try picking each string - does each one sound cleanly? Is there any buzzing? If there is buzzing, it means the string isn't being fretted properly. Adjust your barre finger position, and try again, until each string sounds cleanly.

Notice how the barre finger is placed as close to the fret wire as possible. The non-barre fingers stand tall and arch down onto the strings without collapsing back. Fret with the finger tips.

Be patient. It won't feel comfortable at first, but judge it based on whether all 6 strings sound cleanly. If they do, it's simply a case of physically getting used to it, and you will!

TIP: Give that index finger a workout! Barre the strings, like above, for 10 seconds, play all 6 strings, then release the barre, barre for 10 seconds again, then release etc. This will help the muscle memory set in.

Like I said before, just make sure each note sounds cleanly when you're barring.

When you're confident with your barring strength, apply the other fingers of the E shape major chord, and once again make sure each note in the chord rings cleanly.

Here are some more pics to help, starting with the major shape...

And now the minor shape (all we do is remove the 2nd finger)...

Once you're confident with the basic fingering, try changing from an open position chord to an E shape barre chord. Use the below exercise for reference (the barre chords are underlined)...

Example - Download Jam Track

What other E shape barre chords can you create?

When playing a chord progression using regular major and minor chords, try some of the major and minor variations below to see if you can spice up the song. You'll eventually learn which chords complement particular movements in a song.

Note: The diagrams below use a suggested fingering - if you're playing a particular progression, you might want to alter the fingerings to accommodate...

Suspended E-shape Barre/Movable Chords

This is where the major or minor 3rd is replaced with the 4th/11th - more on this in the seperate chord theory lessons. They tend to be used as tension chords because of their "unresolved" feeling within a progression.

Sus 4 (e.g. Asus4) Sus 4 Add 6 (e.g. Asus4add6) 7 Sus 4 Add 6 (e.g. A7sus4add6)

7 Sus 4 (e.g. A7sus4) Sus 13 (e.g. Asus13) Sus 4 Add 9 (e.g. Asus4add9)

Remember, you can cut these chord shapes down to make the fingerings more accessible. The below video will introduce you to this concept...

They key thing is always the same - EXPERIMENT!

Start with the basic E-shape barre chord, major and minor, and see what chords you can create by adding and removing notes, using your index finger barre as the structural base and that low E root note.