Cleaner barre chords?

**loydb** · 10-12-2011, 05:25 PM

I'm working on a fingerstyle piece that goes quickly from a cowboy-chord C to a barred B7. I need to be able to individually sound the top 5 strings in the B7 (x24242) very cleanly.

I've started spending 10-15 minutes a day doing nothing but that chord change, but it's still hit or miss. Anyone have any brilliant (or even not-so-brilliant) ideas on improving barre chord quality?

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 10-12-2011, 05:38 PM

What is the C fingering?

And is any note in particular muffed in the B7?

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 10-12-2011, 05:54 PM

Darn, I can't edit that. I was fishing to see if you could use the barred form of the C: x35553, or a subset of those notes.

**brwnhornet59** · 10-12-2011, 07:01 PM

Try voicing it like this instead.

-----2----------------------------------------
-----0----------------------------------------
-----2----------------------------------------
-----1----------------------------------------
-----2----------------------------------------
x---------------------------------------------

**Soon** · 10-12-2011, 09:56 PM

I've been discovering fingers that can remain in place during the change. See if the two chords have a note in common.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 10-12-2011, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by Soon

I've been discovering fingers that can remain in place during the change. See if the two chords have a note in common.

C = C E G
B7 = B D# F# A

Are we allowed to tweak the chords, loydb?

**Soon** · 10-12-2011, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

C = C E G
B7 = B D# F# A

Are we allowed to tweak the chords, loydb?

Probably not but find a finger, perhaps the first and get used to that switch and use it as an anchor for the rest of the fingers to drop into place. that's all I was saying.

**loydb** · 10-13-2011, 11:21 AM

I'm attempting to learn the piece as notated (it's Bill Tyers' arrangement of Greensleeves from guitardownunder.com, measures 6 & 7), so I don't want to substitute.

It's not a single string that I'm having trouble with, it's that there is usually *one* of the barred strings that doesn't sound cleanly. I'm going to try the muscle memory thing from the video and see if that helps, thanks for posting it!

**brwnhornet59** · 10-13-2011, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Soon

Probably not but find a finger, perhaps the first and get used to that switch and use it as an anchor for the rest of the fingers to drop into place. that's all I was saying.

+1

If you cant change the shape, this is the best advice.

**brwnhornet59** · 10-13-2011, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by loydb

I'm attempting to learn the piece as notated (it's Bill Tyers' arrangement of Greensleeves from guitardownunder.com, measures 6 & 7), so I don't want to substitute.

It's not a single string that I'm having trouble with, it's that there is usually *one* of the barred strings that doesn't sound cleanly. I'm going to try the muscle memory thing from the video and see if that helps, thanks for posting it!

Just curious, how high is the action on the neck? What gauge strings are you using?

Is the string that is not ringing clear your index?

**Jim Soloway** · 10-13-2011, 12:45 PM

The key to that B7 for me is the fingering. It's much easier for me to play it cleanly with my index finger, ring finger and pinky than with my index, middle and ring fingers. It allows me to key the barre straight and that makes it ring more fully.

**brwnhornet59** · 10-13-2011, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

The key to that B7 for me is the fingering. It's much easier for me to play it cleanly with my index finger, ring finger and pinky than with my index, middle and ring fingers. It allows me to key the barre straight and that makes it ring more fully.

+1.

Agreed! Th middle finger would be to awkward. You have more freedom and a much better set up for extensions and horizontal movement to the next inversion, using the ring finger.

**loydb** · 10-14-2011, 11:07 AM

Yes, I'm using the ring and pinky finger for the 4th fret strings. The problem is getting the 2nd fret barre clean. I've tried using just the index finger, and the index finger with middle finger pushing on top.

**Jim Soloway** · 10-14-2011, 11:24 AM

Is your thumb wrapping over the top of the neck or around the back? You can get much better leverage and it's easier to keep the barre straight if you have your thumb along the center line of the back of the neck.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 10-14-2011, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

Is your thumb wrapping over the top of the neck or around the back? You can get much better leverage and it's easier to keep the barre straight if you have your thumb along the center line of the back of the neck.

This! "Classical guitar left hand positioning". Try aiming the neck upwards too, like a classical guitar.

**coolvinny** · 10-14-2011, 12:33 PM

You are probably just using too much tension. If you really truly have a chord 'under your fingers', then if you avoid too much tension you should be able to finger it in an instant. I'm guessing you are scared of this chord change which is causing you to tense up - drive the fear out of your system and you should be OK. Perhaps you are not using the 10-15 minutes effectively; if you're using too much tension while practicing this change, then frankly you are making it worse...

**morroben** · 10-14-2011, 12:53 PM

I've noticed that a lot of folks try to lock their index finger completely straight for barre chords. Seems logical at first but it can lead to problems. When you lock your finger like that, it's not actually straight. It's bending backwards slightly. Also, the fingerboard has a radius, so your finger needs to match that radius, not be dead straight (or backward). Relax the joints of your index finger and let it conform to the fingerboard.
And as others have noted, added tension makes it worse, not better.