Happy Traum's Barre Chords DVD

[Broadus]

Since the search feature is disabled (imagine that! ), has anyone used Happy Traum's barre chords DVD from his Guitar Basics series?

 

Any other DVD suggestions which focus upon beloved barre chords?

 

Thanks,

Bill

[OldGuitarPlayer]

I've never used that DVD but from reading it's liner notes it looks like it would be helpful for you to have if you are going to advance to playing bar chords.

There really isn't any "mystery" to playing bar chords. The main thing is having proper hand, wrist and thumb position while playing the chord. That video looks like it will show this proper positioning. The next important thing is hand/finger strength and muscle memory which can only be improved upon with practice. No video can help you with that. I look at it this way...Since you've already trained your fretting hand to make open chords in the first postion this is just another form of training. I learned everything by trial and error...which basically to me is practicing.

 

All the best!

 

OGP

[outdoorgb]

Broadus,

can't help with the DVD but I did find a solution to my barre chord problems. I added a post to my thread on the Bm chord if you want to check it out.

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1859569

[outdoorgb]

while playing the chord. That video looks like it will show this proper positioning. The next important thing is hand/finger strength and muscle memory which can only be improved upon with practice. No video can help you with that. I look at it this way...Since you've already trained your fretting hand to make open chords in the first postion this is just another form of training. I learned everything by trial and error...which basically to me is practicing. All the best! OGP

 

And we have a winner!

[Samilyn]

I've never used that DVD but from reading it's liner notes it looks like it would be helpful for you to have if you are going to advance to playing bar chords. There really isn't any "mystery" to playing bar chords. The main thing is having proper hand, wrist and thumb position while playing the chord. That video looks like it will show this proper positioning. The next important thing is hand/finger strength and muscle memory which can only be improved upon with practice. No video can help you with that. I look at it this way...Since you've already trained your fretting hand to make open chords in the first postion this is just another form of training. I learned everything by trial and error...which basically to me is practicing. All the best! OGP

 

That would certainly come in handy, especially those who are not working with an instructor.

 

And what he said: Practice, practice, and more practice!

[Broadus]

Barre chords are another world. I guess all a barre chord amounts to is using your index finger as a capo. Too bad I don't have a screw adjustment for it.

 

Thanks Tracy, for the good counsel, and outdooregb for the link to the thread (I had remembered that the best thing is to lay out the 2, 3, and 4 fingers before barring with the index finger) and Samilyn, always the encourager.

 

I may hold off on this DVD for a bit. I've been working through David Hamburger's Acoustic Guitar Method DVD and just got in Peter Huttlinger's A Guitarist's Guide to Better Practicing DVD. Also, I'm half-way through Book 1 of the Hal Leonard Guitar Method series. Maybe I'll pick up some tips for playing barre chords somewhere in these. In addition, I'm trying to learn new chords for worship songs we'll use on our summer mission trip (hence the barre chords). I really enjoy the different resources and find a lot of reinforcement when concepts overlap.

 

So much to learn, so little time (or too little discipline).

 

Bill

[outdoorgb]

Broadus,

 

I'll keep this short...

 

as far as getting the 2,3,4 in place prior to the barre index, don't focus on more than to practice to see it happen. When you go for the barre chord all fingers will go based on memory (insert practice 11 times here).

 

One thing to watch for, among the other 20, is to get that barre finger right up to the fret. This helped me a lot especially reaching two frets over.

 

Practice, practice, practice...and I still haven't nailed it but I see progress.

[richieboy]

Broadus

I just received my copy of the Happy Traum Barre chords and how to use them. I have played around with barre chords in the past but not real serious. Now I am serious and I think the dvd explains it real simple and easy. You should have a basic understanding of chord positions and notes on the 5th and 6th strings. I have been playing for 1 1/2 years and want to take my playing to another level. I think it is a very good investment for 30 bucks.

[Broadus]

Thanks, richieboy. Please post back after you've used it for a few days and give your impressions. Someone, somewhere, someday, will do a search in this forum and will appreciate your review, as will I.

 

Bill