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Bar Chord Help?


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  • Members
Posted

My apologies if this has been posted before. I searched, but I didn't find anything particularly applicable.

 

In short, I have a devil of a problem in the form of muting the B string when I bar chord. I can get most everyone else to ring out fairly consistently, but that B string seems to always get quashed. (Sometimes this problem spreads to the G and/or high E strings, but the B is the most common culprit.)

 

I'm not sure what I should do about it. Odds are it's a technique related problem (been playing only about 3 years); thus, I was curious if anyone had any generalized advice or links they could share that might help me out a bit.

 

Thanks for your time.

 

** While I'm pretty sure its technique, I was wondering if there is -any- possibility this could be a symptom of having my action too high. When other people play my guitar, they generally comment my strings are higher off the fret board than the norm. No idea if this could be an issue or not.

  • Members
Posted

The height/action could definitely be an issue.

Question...

are you playing acoustic or electric?

While I think playing acoustic is a great way to practice, it can be very intimidating when working on barre chords.

And, an acoustic with high action can be frustrating when learn barre chords.

Do you have this same issue on an electric guitar?

  • Members
Posted

Presently, I have two acoustics and one electric (one being mine through marriage, you might say). I use "light" strings on one of the acoustics and on the electric. I have the problem on both of these.

HOWEVER, my wife's acoustic guitar has extra lights on it, and I've found that I don't have this problem on hers. The action is also slightly lower on her guitar.

I suppose I could throw extra lights on the other guitars; although, that almost feels like cheating. (Not to mention the intonation on my electric seems to go all to crap with them. Then again, perhaps this is a result of using really, really, really cheap strings. But, I digress...)

Think that is something I should look in to?

Thanks for your reply.

  • Members
Posted
Originally posted by RAMJAC

Presently, I have two acoustics and one electric (one being mine through marriage, you might say). I use "light" strings on one of the acoustics and on the electric. I have the problem on both of these.


HOWEVER, my wife's acoustic guitar has extra lights on it, and I've found that I don't have this problem on hers. The action is also slightly lower on her guitar.


I suppose I could throw extra lights on the other guitars; although, that almost feels like cheating. (Not to mention the intonation on my electric seems to go all to crap with them. Then again, perhaps this is a result of using really, really, really cheap strings. But, I digress...)


Think that is something I should look in to?


Thanks for your reply.



I'd say give it a go. It doesn't have to end there. JUst get yourself setup so you're comfortable. Then as time goes on you you'll have it down like second nature and it won't matter what guitar you play it on.

Do things to suit yourself. No said anything had to be hard :)

  • Members
Posted

While action / string gauge might contribute, I suspect you have the same problem I had many years ago when I started to use barre chords regularly; lack of strength in the left index finger.

All stings in a barre need to be held down tight, and this requires a flat index finger and a fair bit of strength which I'm afraid will only come through hard practice.

Concentrate squeezing using the base of your finger instead of the tip and avoid getting into the habit of hooking your thumb over the fretboard when you play.

  • Members
Posted

Originally posted by Phonic Soundry

While action / string gauge might contribute, I suspect you have the same problem I had many years ago when I started to use barre chords regularly; lack of strength in the left index finger.


All stings in a barre need to be held down tight, and this requires a flat index finger and a fair bit of strength which I'm afraid will only come through hard practice.


Concentrate squeezing using the base of your finger instead of the tip and avoid getting into the habit of hooking your thumb over the fretboard when you play.

 

 

I can attest to Phonics advice:

I too have trouble with barre chords, but ive only been playing a few months on an acoustic. But in the last 2 weeks or so, I find I can get that pesky B-string to ring soundly a bit more often with just a couple weeks practice. This is great advice that I was given too. Just keep at it.

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