How to hold the thumb bar correctly. Closed chords (barre): tips and tricks

Bare is a special technique of playing the guitar, which involves clamping several strings. The guitar bar is divided into several groups: full - all strings are clamped, semi-bar - four strings, and small bar - three strings. This technique is used with any playing technique and is a component of a huge variety of chords in both minor and major groups. Bare applies to all musical styles and is the fundamental technique of playing the guitar.

Bar staging problems

Many novice guitarists are faced with the fact that they can not take the bar on the guitar. And since complex melodies cannot be played without this technique, often a person who encounters difficulties in using this element simply abandons the instrument and does not return to music. In order to prevent this, you need to know how to take the bar on the guitar correctly. After all, if everything is done as experts recommend, there should be no difficulties, and you can easily master such a necessary technique.

How to take a bar?

In fact, doing this is quite simple, you just need to follow a few rules below.

So, let's find out how to clamp the bar on the guitar correctly.

First, relax your hand, shake it, hold it in a hanging position for a few seconds. Naturally, this procedure is needed only when you are still studying.

Try to press with which several strings are clamped, as close as possible to the nut of the fret on which you want to play the technique known to us. This will not only make your task easier, but also make the sound clearer, without unnecessary rattling and other interference. If you don't need all 4 fingers of your left hand for a certain chord, you can put your middle finger over your index finger, but don't get used to doing this, because this way you can limit yourself in using the bar.

bend left hand in the area of \u200b\u200bthe wrist so that its minimum tension is created. Find a comfortable position for yourself and remember it. First, bring your hand into it yourself, and after a while it will work out for you automatically.

Also, some musicians advise to start learning this technique from setting a small bar, then move on to a half bar, and only then take the full one on six strings. However, this technique is not always justified: small is used mainly in classical melodies, which for some reason many beginning guitarists bypass. The chords for the most part contain a full bar on six strings.

When you learn to play the bar, make sure that the little finger does not go under. This sometimes happens involuntarily due to a lot of tension when trying to play a chord. Don't be too zealous, otherwise you may ruin all your efforts.

Also, gradually try to put the bar on the guitar along with the necessary chord, this will help you not only work out the right technique, but also improve your playing skills in general.

Practice, practice and more practice!

In fact, the only truly effective way to learn bare choreography is through practice. Only by practicing a lot, you can easily master this technique. Practice, practice and more practice - that's what will help you become a real guitarist.

In no case do not despair, do not give up your attempts to put the bar on the guitar. Do not think that you are physically unable to take it, in principle this does not happen. Do not look for excuses for yourself, but take it and do it! It is much more useful not only for improving your guitar playing skills, but also for willpower and spirit. Always finish what you start, no matter how difficult it may seem.

I hope you enjoyed this article, and you understand how to properly clamp the bar on the guitar. I wish you new creative success!

Many are interested how to his play and put. The problem is especially acute, as a rule, if you have acoustic guitar. On electric, with this matter, nevertheless, it is much easier.

Are you familiar with the following?

Can't barre quickly?
Do your fingers get tired quickly when you press the barre?
Strings don't sound when you press the barre?
Can't bust the barre?

If yes, then the video I recorded with 20 the best advice by barre, just for you:

You will also find the text plan of advice very useful:

Start with small barre pressed on 3 strings
Put thumb opposite index finger, in the middle of the neck from the back. It shouldn't stick out over the neck
Put thumb as much as possible straight
Put forefinger how can closer to his modal sill
May I help twist of the index finger around the axis so that it presses the barre slightly at an angle
In some cases, a reversal can help. index finger towards the deck
If you do not press the barre, at the first stage you can help with the middle finger. Relevant for minor chords like Fm
Choose the best vertical arrangement index finger, at which all strings sound, and follow this position in the game
At first, press the barre only for fifth fret. Here it is pressed more easily. Just get closer to the first fret.
beat long time minor and major barre chords. At the same time, make sure that all the strings sound. Play these chords in every way. Tired - rest, relax your hand by shaking
use special exercise . Press the barre with your index finger, with the rest of your fingers play the notes alternately on the corresponding frets
Transpose song in a more comfortable key that does not require a barre
Purchase Western or classical guitar with nylon strings, instead of the old Soviet guitar. This is in case it is not possible to rebuild the optimal distance from the strings to the fretboard on the Soviet guitar. The western neck is thinner, it is easier to press the barre. And at classical guitar soft nylon strings, and therefore it is quite easy to press the barre
use expander to strengthen fingers
Choose the optimal pressing force. No need to press the barre like pliers. With too much effort - the hand will quickly get tired
use reduced barre. It is not necessary to press all 6 strings. Example: for Dm on the 5th fret and similar chords, the 6th string does not need to be depressed at all. For C chords at the 3rd fret and similar ones too. Another example: you can press the chord sol G (3rd fret) and similar ones using a small barre on two strings. And to press the Gm chord (3rd fret) and the like, use a small barre of 3 strings. But more universal, of course, pressing the barre on all strings
Use a stand (bench) or books to guitar neck lift. The higher the neck of the guitar, the less tired the hand is when pressing the barre
If you get tired while pressing the barre, do shaking by relaxing your hand
Put more thin strings. For example, if you have 011 inches, put 010
Reduce string spacing and the 12th nut. The norm is 2.5-3 mm for acoustics. 4 mm - for classical guitar. The gap can be changed:
- changing saddle (undermining it or putting something under it): it is better to entrust this matter to the master
- With help neck heel screws(if you have a Soviet type guitar)
- With help anchor adjustment(if you have a western and wrong neck deflection (> 0.25 mm)). In this case, we tighten the anchor, twist it clockwise, thereby reducing the gap
- In extreme cases, the same manipulations can be done with Nut

And that's all I have. Take care and you will succeed. I wish you a great barre!

Part 2

In the first part, we understood, (F major) in a simplified version. The lessons of the second part, in continuation of the theme, are also intended for beginner guitarists. They are entirely and completely devoted to mastering the small barre (chords in which not all, but several strings are pressed). In particular, the development of the index finger, the development of the skill of moving from one position to another.

All material presented in this article ( 2 exercises + small study), supplemented with tabs/notes, guitar grids. As well as audio examples and backing tracks (with drums, bass and keys!). So it won't be boring. ; -)

Welcome to the lesson!

Exercise number 1: mini-bar - from one fret to another

Hear how these tabs sound:

This exercise involves only the index finger:

in bar 1 (Gmaj7/D) he presses 1 and 2 strings at the 7th fret (that is, in the 7th position);
in 2 tons (A7sus4/D)- on the V fret;
in 3 tons (G5/D)- on the 3rd fret.
4 tons (G5/D)- the same small barre as in 3 tons; strike down (with a pick or fingers) the first three strings.

Bars 1-3, each, are played 2 times in a simple ascending plucking: string 4, then 3, 2 and 1.

Don't be afraid of the "complicated" chord names given in exercises #1 and #2. Focus your attention primarily on honing your technique. But in the final exercise (No. 3), your eyes will also see the names already familiar in the first three frets - Am, E - but in other fingerings.

Guitar backing track for practice:

Exercise number 2: we increase the "load" on the index finger

A beginner who tries to play the "big" barre, without proper skills, immediately feels how tight the index finger is. And all because, figuratively speaking, he (the finger) does not have enough strength to clamp all 6 strings; and, qualitatively, so that they sound. And if the guitar is not in the best condition - the strings are located high above the fretboard, then these "feelings" are even more.

Therefore, it is advisable to make a "softer transition". Let's figure out how to take a small barre on three strings.

Please read the short briefing before you begin. How to clamp the strings correctly?»:

1. Do not lay your index finger flat on the fret: the pressure should be on the side of the upper phalanx and only partially on the pad.

The option of clamping the strings flat - only with a pad, without using the side part - cannot be called wrong. It is also often used in practice. However, it is not acceptable in the context of this lesson. (We prepare fingers for mastering the barre on all strings.)

2. Make sure that the thumb of the left hand is approximately in the middle of the back of the neck.

3. Do not arch the hand too much (left or right): correctly - if the finger is parallel to the frets (approximately).

4. Do not raise high above the frets and do not lay free fingers behind the neck.

5. If it is insurmountably difficult to press the first three strings with your index finger so that they sound, use the middle finger (2) additionally. That is, hold the small barre with two fingers. But, nevertheless, having achieved a clear sound, still strive to play chords without an "assistant".

A warning! Avoid pain in the hand. Let your muscles and tendons rest. Especially in the first class!

Here are the tabs and notes of exercise number 2:

Hear how it's played:

Measures 1-3, as in exercise No. 1, are played twice (each). But the picking is slightly different (descending): first string 1, then 2, 3 and again 2. In each measure, this sequence of strikes on the strings is played 2 times.

1t.- a small three-string barre on the V fret - Am / C (A minor with C in the bass);
2t.- the same fingering on the 3rd fret - Gm / Bb (G minor with B flat in the bass);
3t.- on the I fret - Fm / Ab (F minor with A flat in bass);
4t.- the final touch on the chord from the third measure - Fm / Ab (I fret).

Backing track:

Exercise number 3: a small study

Let's listen:

And now let's analyze the notes and tabs of the etude:

The enumeration is the same as in ex. No. 1: bass string (4.5 or 6 depending on the chord), then 3, 2 and 1.

Each of the first four measures is played 2 times.

1t.- D (D major): fingering in I position (for sure you are familiar with it);
2t.- Gm/D (G minor with bass D): barre on the third fret;
3t.- E (E major): D major fingering on the 4th fret;
4t.- Am (A minor) small barre on the 5th fret;
5t.- Esus4 (delayed E major): follow the finger spacing indicated in the grid above the bar (1-3str.; 3-1str.);
6t.- again E (as in 3v.)
7-8 tons- Am as in 4t.

Backing track:

Fruitful work for you!

Part 1

Bare(barre) - one of the main methods of chord technique on the guitar. It consists in the fact that the index finger (and sometimes the middle, and ring, and even the little finger) clamps all the strings or several strings (2, 3 or four) in fret. By the number of clamped strings, a large and a small bare are distinguished.

You know how to play bare F - you know how to play more songs

Many aspiring guitarists who have mastered simple chords in the first position - Am, Dm, E, C and G - sooner or later they begin to realize that the inability to play bare is a serious limitation in replenishing their song repertoire.

For example.I liked the song, I want to play it and sing it, but here's the catch, in the harmonic sequence, in addition to the already familiar and light Am and Dm, there is also an F chord - a bar on the guitar (a stumbling block!). And without it, nothing ... or almost nothing. No, of course, you can find an accompaniment option for some songs in a different key (for example, in Em - E minor), without a bar, but will it be convenient to sing. After all, it (tonality) can easily turn out to be “high” or “low” for the voice.

But is the F chord on the guitar as scary and unattainable as beginner guitarists imagine it to be? Certainly not - if you properly approach its study and development.

Where to begin?

This article covers F major fingering in first position for beginners. Sometimes it is also called the F chord on a guitar without a bar. Because the index finger only pinches two strings, not all six strings.

As you can see from the photo, this is an easier option compared to the standard fingering. It is the best suited for the first acquaintance with the technique of the bar.

The simplified F fingering is almost as good as the standard fingering. The only difference is that the sixth string is muted (does not sound). That is, for accompaniment, such a solution is quite acceptable. The layout of the fingers on the fretboard is suitable for both fighting and picking (the tonic of the chord on the 4th string).

Let's look at a few simple exercises that will help you quickly learn how to play the small bar of the F chord on the guitar.

Guitar preparation

Before proceeding with the analysis of the exercises, pay attention to the height of the strings above the neck. In the area of the XII fret, it should not exceed 2-4 mm. Adjust the guitar neck if necessary.

If you don't know how it's done, ask an experienced guitarist colleague, or even better, a guitar luthier. Otherwise, all your efforts to master the F chord will be of little or no success. Hefty corns will appear on the ribs (lateral part) of the index finger. And, as a result, any desire to “get in touch” with the bar will disappear altogether.

Exercise number 1: how to put the index finger

First of all, we will train the index finger: we will learn how to press the first two strings. This will be your first bar, even, to be precise, a mini-bar. By the way, this technique is actively used by experienced guitarists when performing not only accompaniment, but also solo.

With the side of your index finger, press the first 2 strings on the 1st fret.

Control the position of the left hand:

the thumb should be located approximately in the middle of the back of the neck;
press the first two strings (the thinnest - 1 and 2) with the side of the upper phalanx of the index finger (see photo); but at the same time, do not twist the brush too much, do not lay your finger flat (with a soft pad);
do not place the bar directly on the metal nut of the fret (the chord will not sound!);
do not bend the “free” fingers (which do not press the strings) under the fretboard (in this case, to take the F chord on the bar, you will have to make more efforts, and unjustified ones); Hold them over the bar!

A warning! In no case do not allow the appearance of pain in the left hand. At the first sign of fatigue, stop playing the exercise immediately. Then lower your arm, relax your muscles and lightly “shake” your hand a few times. After recovery, you can start working again.

Well, what happens? If you haven't yet, don't worry, you will definitely succeed. Let's now use the right hand in the exercise to make the mini-bar sound.

By the way, we will play it with a guitar backing track. Agree that this is a worthy alternative to the "boring" metronome (especially for novice musicians who are not tempted by long studies). Yes, and you, to some extent, feel like a member of the group.

It sounds like this:

And here are the tabs / notes of the exercise:

On the small bar in position I, 4 measures, the same enumeration is played - 3, 2, 1, 2 strings. It can be played with both fingers and a plectrum - it doesn't matter. (Plectrum strokes are written above each sound.) At the end of the exercise, in the fifth measure, on the first beat, strike the first three strings down.

Don't be confused by the convoluted chord name - Csus4/G. You can concentrate on the analysis of its sound composition later. AT this moment priority - bar technique.

After you understand the musical notation, master the exercise at a slow pace, start playing to the accompaniment.

Here's the backing track:

Exercise number 2: add the middle finger

As you probably already understood from the title of the subtitle, we are mastering the F fingering on the guitar gradually. At this stage, in addition to the small bar on the first and second strings, we will train the middle finger.

Hear how it's played:

Tabs and notes:

The search is the same - on first three strings.

1 and 2 measure- this is exercise number 1 without any changes;
3 and 4 t.- the middle finger is added to the mini-bar - the third string, the second fret;
5 t.- final touch - blow down.

Before putting a chord and playing it under minus, disassemble and play each measure of the exercises in sequence. Do not forget to control the setting of the hand and fingers! Don't overload your hand.

Backing track for classes:

Exercise number 3: develop the little finger

Pay attention to the location of the fingers of the F chord. Does it by any chance remind you of another chord? Especially on 5, 4 and 3 strings. Guessed, no? Yes, this is nothing but the already well-known E (E major) shifted up the fretboard. But in this case, when using a bar, it is already pressed not with 1, 2, 3 fingers, but with 2, 3, 4. And the little finger, it must be said, is weak in its anatomical nature, and can also cause certain technical difficulties in mastering the bar.

Therefore, we will work on this point separately. And the index finger will rest from the execution called “pressing several strings at the same time” for now 🙂

This is how the exercise for the development of the little finger sounds:

Now let's take a look at musical notation:

Bust: 5 or 4 (depending on the chord; watch the tabs carefully!), 3, 2 and 1.

1 and 2 t.- the middle finger (2) presses the 3rd string on the 2nd fret, the remaining strings (5, 2 and 1) are open;
3 and 4 t.- do not take your 2nd finger off the neck; press the fifth string with your third finger at the 3rd fret;
5 and 6 t.- the little finger is added to the already set fingers (“outlines” of the fingering bare F on the bass strings); enumeration in the 5th measure starts from the 4th string, and in the 6th - from the fifth.
7 t.- repetition of 1 measure;
8 t.- again repeating 1 t. (1 and 2 shares), on the third share - the final stroke down.

Backing track:

Exercise #4: Playing Bar F!

Now it's time to put all the "components" of the lightweight F major fingering into a single whole. That is, to practice playing it in the form in which it will be used in the accompaniment.

And again, a "step by step" exercise to help:

We analyze the notes and tabs of the bar:

The search is the same as in Ex. No. 3.

1 and 2 t.- the index finger clamps pages 1 and 2 (the rest are open).
3 and 4 t.- little finger is added (4): fourth string, III fret.
5 and 6 t.- now middle (2): 3rd string, 2nd fret.
7 and 8 t.- and nameless (3): 5th string, III fret. The strumming starts on the 5th string! Despite the fact that the 4th string does not sound, do not remove the little finger from the fretboard.
9 t.- that's the F chord on the guitar; keeping the position of the fingers on the frets, play a fingerpick starting from the 4th string.
10 t.- the final step; downstroke on all strings except the bass sixth.

Minus:

How to practice?

It may take more than one day, or two, or even a week to learn this fingering. And you have to be prepared for this in order to save yourself from hasty disappointments: from the frivolous “then someday I will learn this bare” to the fatal “no, no, this chord is not for my fingers ... not for me.”

1. The key to success is everyday activities and, of course, perseverance.

2. Learn the exercises gradually, do not try to learn all the exercises in one day.

Focus on results. The main thing is to achieve a clean, clear performance. For example, if you need 2-3 days, or even more, to master and play exercise number 1, then so be it. You shouldn't worry about this. Slowly but surely move towards your goal. And hurry up, all the same, all the flaws and unfinished moments in the subsequent exercises will immediately “make themselves felt”.

3. Bare is not a “weekend chord”, it is a chord technique.

And mastering F (F major) is only the first tiny step in its study. But it must be done confidently! Remember this. Great things are waiting for you ahead - a bar of dominant seventh chords, non-chords, reduced seventh chords and many, many more interesting things.

4. Normalize the length of classes according to the degree of hand fatigue.

Gradually, the muscles of the hand adapt to the "special type of load", and pain will leave, and, accordingly, the time of classes will naturally increase.

Plus, after 4-10 sessions, you can alternate exercise No. 3 with other exercises: at the beginning with No. 1 and No. 2, and then with No. 4. Since it is played without a bar (the load on the brush is less).

Good luck with learning the F chord on the guitar!

P.S. And if something is not clear, ask questions. Leave your notes in the comments.

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