Barre chords are a foundational technique for guitarists, unlocking the ability to play a vast range of chords across the fretboard. Understanding and mastering barre chords is essential for playing in different keys and expanding your musical vocabulary. This comprehensive Guitar Bar Chords Chart will guide you through the most common barre chord shapes and help you start playing barre chords all over the neck.
What are Barre Chords?
Barre chords, also known as bar chords, are movable chord shapes created by using your index finger to “barre” or press down multiple strings at once on a single fret. This technique effectively acts as a movable nut, allowing you to play the same chord shape in different positions and create different chords. The beauty of barre chords lies in their portability; once you learn a few shapes, you can play dozens of chords by simply moving these shapes up and down the guitar neck.
There are two primary barre chord shapes that are derived from open chord shapes you likely already know: the E-shape and the A-shape. These shapes are named after the open E major and A major chords, respectively, because the barre chord shapes mimic the finger patterns of these open chords but are adapted for barring. Learning both the E-shape and A-shape barre chords provides you with two positions for every major and minor chord, making chord changes smoother and fretboard navigation more efficient.
Understanding the Guitar Barre Chords Chart
The charts below illustrate the most common major and minor barre chords using both the E-shape and A-shape forms. Each chart displays the fretboard diagram, indicating where to place your fingers to form the chord.
- x: Indicates a string that should not be played.
- 0: Indicates an open string.
- 1, 2, 3, etc.: Numbers represent the fret number where you should place your fingers.
- Root Note: Each chord shape is based on a root note, which determines the actual chord you are playing. For E-shape barre chords, the root is on the 6th string (low E string). For A-shape barre chords, the root is on the 5th string (A string).
By moving these shapes up and down the neck and aligning the root note with the desired fret, you can play any major or minor chord.
E-Shape Barre Chords
E-shape barre chords are based on the open E major and E minor chord shapes. The root note for these chords is always on the 6th string (the thickest string).
A Major and A Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: A major barre chord with root on the 6th string | A minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
A#/Bb Major and A#/Bb Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: A#/Bb major barre chord with root on the 6th string | A#/Bb minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
B Major and B Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: B major barre chord with root on the 6th string | B minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
C Major and C Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: C major barre chord with root on the 6th string | C minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
C#/Db Major and C#/Db Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: C#/Db major barre chord with root on the 6th string | C#/Db minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
D Major and D Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: D major barre chord with root on the 6th string | D minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
D#/Eb Major and D#/Eb Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: D#/Eb major barre chord with root on the 6th string | D#/Eb minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
E Major and E Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: E major barre chord with root on the 6th string | E minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
F Major and F Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: F major barre chord with root on the 6th string | F minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
F#/Gb Major and F#/Gb Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: F#/Gb major barre chord with root on the 6th string | F#/Gb minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
G Major and G Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: G major barre chord with root on the 6th string | G minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
G#/Ab Major and G#/Ab Minor Barre Chords (E-Shape)
Descriptions: G#/Ab major barre chord with root on the 6th string | G#/Ab minor barre chord with root on the 6th string
A-Shape Barre Chords
A-shape barre chords are based on the open A major and A minor chord shapes. The root note for these chords is always on the 5th string (A string).
A Major and A Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: A major barre chord with root on the 5th string | A minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
A#/Bb Major and A#/Bb Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: A#/Bb major barre chord with root on the 5th string | A#/Bb minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
B Major and B Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: B major barre chord with root on the 5th string | B minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
C Major and C Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: C major barre chord with root on the 5th string | C minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
C#/Db Major and C#/Db Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: C#/Db major barre chord with root on the 5th string | C#/Db minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
D Major and D Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: D major barre chord with root on the 5th string | D minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
D#/Eb Major and D#/Eb Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: D#/Eb major barre chord with root on the 5th string | D#/Eb minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
E Major and E Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: E major barre chord with root on the 5th string | E minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
F Major and F Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: F major barre chord with root on the 5th string | F minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
F#/Gb Major and F#/Gb Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: F#/Gb major barre chord with root on the 5th string | F#/Gb minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
G Major and G Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: G major barre chord with root on the 5th string | G minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
G#/Ab Major and G#/Ab Minor Barre Chords (A-Shape)
Descriptions: G#/Ab major barre chord with root on the 5th string | G#/Ab minor barre chord with root on the 5th string
Tips for Learning Barre Chords
Learning barre chords can be challenging initially, but with consistent practice, you will master them. Here are some helpful tips:
- Proper Finger Placement: Ensure your index finger is straight and applies even pressure across all strings. Position your index finger slightly closer to the fret behind the one you are barring to get a cleaner sound.
- Use the Right Amount of Pressure: You need to apply enough pressure to get a clear sound without buzzing, but avoid squeezing too hard, which can cause fatigue. Experiment to find the right balance.
- Start Slowly and Build Strength: Barre chords require finger strength. Start by practicing for short periods and gradually increase your practice time as your hand gets stronger.
- Practice Chord Transitions: Once you can form barre chords, practice switching between them and other chords smoothly. This is crucial for playing songs.
- Check Your Guitar Setup: A proper guitar setup, especially a lower action (string height), will make barre chords significantly easier to play. Ensure your guitar is well-maintained.
- Focus on Cleanliness: Strive for clean, clear sounding chords. Practice slowly and deliberately, paying attention to each note ringing out clearly.
Using the Barre Chord Chart Effectively
This guitar barre chords chart is a valuable tool for learning and playing barre chords. Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Identify the Root Note: Determine the root note of the chord you want to play. For example, if you want to play a C major chord using the E-shape, find C on the 6th string.
- Locate the Root on the Fretboard: Find the corresponding fret for your root note on either the 6th string (for E-shape) or the 5th string (for A-shape). For C, using the E-shape, the root is on the 8th fret of the 6th string.
- Apply the Barre Chord Shape: Place your index finger across the fret you’ve identified and form the E-shape or A-shape with your remaining fingers, as shown in the diagrams.
- Experiment with Both Shapes: Practice playing chords using both E-shape and A-shape barre chords. This will give you flexibility and make chord changes smoother in different musical contexts.
Conclusion
Mastering barre chords is a significant step forward in your guitar playing journey. This guitar bar chords chart provides a visual and practical guide to learning these essential chords. By understanding the shapes, practicing regularly, and applying the tips provided, you’ll unlock a new level of guitar playing and be able to play a wider range of songs and musical styles. Keep practicing and exploring the world of barre chords!
Read more about the theory behind barre chords.
