MODULE 1
Barred Chords
In this module you will explore barred chord shapes to fill in the gaps of those basic, open shapes that you learnt at level 1.
HOW TO PLAY BARRED CHORDS
A barred chord requires the use of your index finger to bar two or more strings at the same time whilst using your other fingers to complete the rest of the chord shape. Barred chords generally cover all 4 strings and although they can take a bit of getting used too.
EXERCISE: Watch the video below to see how to practice barred chords effectively:
EXERCISE: Watch the video below to see how to practice barred chords effectively:
BARRED CHORD SHAPES
Here are some of the barred chords that you will be exploring throughout various songs and exercises throughout this course.
EXERCISE: Watch the video below to see how to play the following 5 barred chords:
EXERCISE: Watch the video below to see how to play the following 5 barred chords:
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MOVEABLE BARRED CHORDS
The great thing about barred chords is that they are all moveable shapes which you can move up and down the fretboard to form various chords of the same caliber.
As you will be aware by now, the distance between each fret is called a semi-tone. Notes are set chronologically so it is the same for chords. For example, if you move the shape of Bb major up one semitone (or one fret) it becomes a B major. If you move it up again it becomes a C major as there are no sharps or flats in between B & C.
Here is an illustration of the 12 notes in chronological order starting on C. You can essentially start on any note and complete the sequence chronologically:
As you will be aware by now, the distance between each fret is called a semi-tone. Notes are set chronologically so it is the same for chords. For example, if you move the shape of Bb major up one semitone (or one fret) it becomes a B major. If you move it up again it becomes a C major as there are no sharps or flats in between B & C.
Here is an illustration of the 12 notes in chronological order starting on C. You can essentially start on any note and complete the sequence chronologically:
EXERCISE: Let's have a go at moving the following chords up the neck:
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BARRE CHORD EXERCISE
Barred chords take a little bit of time and patience to get the hang of but the more you work on them the easier they become.
For this exercise we are going to use a 1950s Do-Wop chord progression that you can literally transpose into any key once you get these shapes down. The open chords for this progression would consist of two beats on each of the following chords: C - Am - F - G7. We are going to shift those chords up a full tone (two frets) which will change the key and give you the chords: D - Bm - G - A7. Notice that the G and A7 are played in 2nd voicing positions.
For this exercise we are going to use a 1950s Do-Wop chord progression that you can literally transpose into any key once you get these shapes down. The open chords for this progression would consist of two beats on each of the following chords: C - Am - F - G7. We are going to shift those chords up a full tone (two frets) which will change the key and give you the chords: D - Bm - G - A7. Notice that the G and A7 are played in 2nd voicing positions.
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You will get plenty of opportunities to practice barre chords throughout the rest of this course but let's now take a look at some major 7th and minor 7th chords in the next module: