Barre chord...WHAT!!...........HOW????

[travis0127]

UH..HUHU

Is it supposed to be impossible to get your index finger to properly fret all 6 strings??? I have tried everything my little brain can think of, and I can NOT get the G string to sound properly, I always end up muting it. Sometimes the B also. Is there some guitar thingy secret for the initiated?? Or do I just keep plugging away till i get it?

[Bluice]

Getting all 6 strings is tough for someone not used to it. I suggest starting with root 6 chords like major and minor. then move to root 5 major,minor and 7ths. This shares the responsibilty between index finger and the rest of your hand. As your hand strengthens up,it won't be as hard to bar all 6.

[Strat-n-Paul]

Using a hand grip in the car when I had long commutes to work helped me a lot when I started playing. Starting out as a bass player, I had trouble with that as well. I still do if I haven't played my accoustic for awhile, and try playing a barred F on the first fret..... so don't feel bad.

[StoneDragon]

Barre chords are really tough on an acoustic. I think that's why most acoustic players tend to stick with the cowboy chords in the open position and use a capo if they gotta change key.

One thing that I have found useful is to use the bony edge of your index finger (between your index and thumb) instead of the fleshy paded part. I've gotten in the habit of rolling the index finger just enough on its side to insure that the G-string rings clearly. You gotta get that G-string in there at least.

Moving your thumb a little more directly behind the index finger can help too... but not too much. It's better to keep that thumb where it can suport the entire hand.

[ghodaddyyo]

In Aikido we use that same bony part to apply pressure to various nerve endings in your wrist. It's beautiful to witness the power of this move and how effectively it drops large adversaries to their knees!http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/stealth.gif