In this video
My top seven tips for playing tricky barre chords. Each tip is simple but still require some thought as the technique is still tricky in places, so don't give up!
Here is 7 top tips for them tricky barre chords! Each tip is simple but still require some thought as the technique is still tricky in places, so don't give up!
Lesson aims -
Learn really useful tips to help master your barre chords
Tip 1 -
Tucking in our elbow of the chord playing hand help keep our hand at a good angle for playing chords and help with the next tip...
Tip 2 -
With our elbow in position, we use the thumb of our chord playing hand to be nicely placed, directly on the back of the Ukulele neck.
From our elbow to our thumb, we now have a solid feeling and good control over the Ukulele, so we can get the firm grip on our barre chords.
Tip 3 -
We use our first finger to barre most of chords, this means our 2nd, 3rd and 4th are available to add notes.
When we do add extra notes for the barre chords we use tips of our 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers. It really helps to keep a good angle of our hand and allows the notes to sound out nicely.
Tip 4 -
For any notes we play on the fretboard, the best finger position on the fret is on the side closer to the body of our Ukulele.
If we stay that side of the fret, we can lean into it slightly and get the desired connection for a really clear sounding note.
Tip 5 -
In the case of our first finger only needing to barre two notes, such as a Bb chord. There are a couple of helpful ways to keep the notes sounding clear.
With our first finger, try be sure the strings don't sit in the grooves of our finger
We can move our finger further up, down or across all the strings to help with barring the chord but still focus on the two notes that need to be played
Tip 6 -
For certain barre chords, such as a B minor chord. We can simplify the chord and be selective of what notes to play rather than playing the full chord.
As shown in the video, a B minor uses string 4 but we can take that note away and simply barre the rest of the notes.
These alternatives exist for each chord, we just need to decide what string is best to eliminate and which might sound better.
Tip 7 -
Finally, we can always use a capo to put our normal chord shapes into the key of the song we want to play and avoid the tricky barre chords.
Or, use alternative chords that will still fit the progression. E.g, An E7 in place of a Barred E major.
Don't give up and keep practicing as these barre chords are fantastic to get under the fingers and really do add a new dimension to our playing.
