Need help on barre Chords

[WorldWithoutE]

Hi all. I have been practicing Barre Chords for like 1 and a half weeks. I need some help regarding the FM and Fm barre chords. I notice that for ALL frets from 2nd onwards I have almost no problem fretting the chord, be it the E shape or the Em shape with the full 6-string barre. The problem only comes at the first fret which is F. Why is it that there is a sudden huge jump in strength needed for it? Is it supposed to be like that or is it technique or even gear related?

Thanks for reading!

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Perhaps it is because the frets are at the furthest apart at the nut, so you have more of a stretch which will exhaust you faster? If that's the case, keep practicing and the problem will go away as your hand gets used to it, more flexible and stronger.

 

[LadyInTears]

its normal.
way to counter this? capo the fret, so you can play higher up the fretboard.
well it isnt a real soultion but it does do the trick

 

[pianomankris]

String tension on a string instrument is always greatest where the string angle changes - on the guitar, this means at the bridge and at the nut (hence string snaps usually occur here).

1st fret is difficult to barre at as it is the place where there will be greatest tension in the string (this is assuming your action isn't too high, otherwise barring can be very difficult at the higher frets. But this is to do with string height from fretboard, rather than actual tension).

Practise using a capo and barre at what would now be the 1st fret. This should be slightly easier, as with a capo, the string will sit at fret height, rather than at nut height (which is higher, therefore more tension in the string).

If yo can barre fine at the second fret, then stretch shouldn't really be an issue, as the difference in spacing between the 1st fret and 2nd fret isn't huge.

PS make sure your finger is as high in the fret as possible without actually touching the fretwire i.e. place it exactly behind the fretwire, rather than in the middle of the fret.

 

[ShredCow]

PS make sure your finger is as high in the fret as possible without actually touching the fretwire i.e. place it exactly behind the fretwire, rather than in the middle of the fret.

Great advice. With a bit of practice and good discipline, this becomes an exceptionally good habit. You wouldn't even think about it - it just happens.

 

[diaperman]

Hms.. got a trick you might wanna learn...

When you barre, you press the fingers on the fretboard right?
WHen you strum, you right arm is over the body of the guitar right?
Use your right arm to pull on the body of the guitar, pressing the fretboard closer to your fingers. Yupp. Helps the fingers.. Yupp.

You may find this helpful, you may not, but eventually you will get the finger strength. Dont just work on barre, play other songs you like so you get teired of guitar so easily. Maybe 2 weeks later you come back and without working on it, you got it already! Barre is very important no doubt, but its not the ONLY important thing!

All the best...

 

[pianomankris]

Great advice. With a bit of practice and good discipline, this becomes an exceptionally good habit. You wouldn't even think about it - it just happens.

Yip it's standard fare lol

I was taught this when I was 4, so I don't really think about it at all now. But it is noticeable in guitarists who don't do it if you are aware of it.

Considering it's an absolute basic, it's amazing how often it is overlooked (or, what usually happens, a tutor isn't aware of it, so doesn't teach it to his students, then a full legion of students play with poor technique).

 

[paradox.]

one way for me is to use capo haha..its like a cheat or pressing the metal thingys at the fretboard works for me...hope all of our replies help ya!

 

[trickstop]

Might wanna consider using lighter gauge strings. There's nothing heroic about playing with heavy gauge strings on an acoustic.