E Shape Barre Chords Guitar Lesson
E Shape Barre Chords
Mark Lincoln covers E shaped barre chords in greater depth. Mark refers to these chords as "Type 1" barre chords.
Taught by Mark Lincoln in Basic Guitar with Mark Lincoln seriesLength: 15:12Difficulty: 2.0 of 5
- Warm-up the hands.Ready? Good! Let's get started.
- Stretch the wrists.
- Play the major and minor open chords.
- Warm up your strums by relaxing the wrists and letting the pick flow over the strings.
Chapter 2: (03:36) Half Steps, Whole Steps Last time we began talking about music theory and the concept of half and whole steps. Please review last week's lesson if you need to re-familiarize yourself with these concepts. Remember that the only places where half steps occur are between B and C, and E and F. Chapter 3: (04:07) Type 1 / E Shape Barre Chord Think about the E major chord:
E Major
E_0_
B_0_
G_1_
D_2_
A_2_
E_0_
In todays exercise, I want you to play the E chord like this: place your second or middle finger on the G-string first fret, the ring or third finger on the A-string second fret, and the pinky on the D-string second fret. This is a different configuration from the initial way I taught you to play this chord. You are now leaving the first finger free. The reason for this will become clear to you very soon. Practice strumming this chord with this pattern
or the down down-up down pattern that you should be becoming familiar with. Now, I want you to try an F barre chord played like this:F Major
E_1_
B_1_
G_2_
D_3_
A_3_
E_1_
The "1's" in this digram indicat that your first finger (that you have freed up by playing the E chord in the “new” way) should stretch the width of the neck and cover all of the strings. If this is difficult for you, which it often is for those just entering the world of guitar playing, then just hold down the B and high E strings. Play this chord with the same strum as the E.
.The distance between the E and the F chord is one half step or one fret. Locate these two chords on the neck of your guitar. Play the E chord like I showed you and then slide your fingers up one fret or one half step without moving your fingers off of the fret board. Then, put your first finger down all the way across the fretboard, or just on the B and E strings. Do you see how the visual shape of the E major chord is identical to the F chord? Now take a look at the G chord played at the third fret:
G Major E_3_
B_3_
G_4_
D_5_
A_5_
E_3_
This is the G barre chord, which is a whole step above the F chord. Remember that the only half steps in the musical alphabet occur between B and C, and between E and F. Therefore the distance between the F and the G is a whole step or two frets. Again, notice that the same E chord configuration (this time on the fourth and fifth frets respectively). If you get lost with this exercise, go back to playing the E chord in the manner I explained earlier in the lesson. Then, keeping your fingers on the fret board, slide your hand up into the fourth and fifth fret, and either put your first finger across all of the strings on the fretboard, or just on the B and the E. Are you seeing the pattern here? Move the exact same finger configuration up two frets from the G chord and you'll have the A major barre chord. Go up two more frets and you'll have the B major barre chord. Finally, go up one fret from there, and you'll have the C major barre chord. Again at the risk of being redundant: Half steps: B-C, E-F Whole steps: A-B, C-D, D-E, F-G, G-A. Chapter 4: (02:54) Strumming Exercise Starting with the E major chord and its new fingering, play E, F, G, A, B, C, D moving your way up the fretboard of the guitar. Be sure to use the
down down up down rhythm.Finding the Chords
The barre chords that I'm showing you in this lesson can be called "Type 1 Barre Chords" and have the E major chord as the central configuration to their construction. As long as you know where the half and whole steps occur and you know the names of the strings, then you'll know how to find chords up and down the fretboard! It's just that easy! You can use the 6th / E string to figure out which chord is which. The root note played on the 6th / E string shares the same name as the chord. Chapter 5: (02:07) Self Made Exercise Take the time to create an exercise of your very own. Mix the barre and open chords up and play them in different strumming patterns. This will develop your ability to switch between open and barre chords and help cement your ability to properly play the E shape / Type 1 barre chord. Be creative and have fun!
Supplemental Learning Material
Basic Guitar with Mark Lincoln
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsLearning the basics of the guitar, the building blocks if you will, is an extremely important step in learning and mastering the guitar. This series is all about the basics.
Lesson 1
Guitar Basics
This lesson is all about the basics. Mark explains guitar parts, holding the guitar, and more.
Length: 13:12 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Tuning, Gear, and Chords
Mark begins by discussing equipment every guitarist should own. Then, he introduces chords and proper tuning methods.
Length: 17:28 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Chords and Strumming
Mark finishes his discussion of the "open" chords. He applies these chords to basic rhythm and strumming concepts.
Length: 17:33 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Minor Chords and More
Mark reviews the major chords and introduces the minor chords. He also covers strumming techniques in greater depth.
Length: 25:48 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Expanding Chords
Mark introduces a few more minor chords. He also provides a monster chord exercise.
Length: 16:36 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Strumming Exercises
Mark Lincoln continues his discussion of chords and strumming. He introduces several new exercises in this lesson.
Length: 19:30 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Music Theory and Barre Chords
Mark covers several topics in this lesson. He explains scales and barre chords. He also demonstrates how to find notes on the fretboard.
Length: 21:45 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
E Shape Barre Chords
Mark Lincoln covers E shaped barre chords in greater depth. Mark refers to these chords as "Type 1" barre chords.
Length: 15:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
A Shape Barre Chords
Mark covers the A Shape / Type 2 barre chords in greater depth.
Length: 17:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Barre Chords
Mark introduces minor barre chords that utilize the shape of the "open" Em chord.
Length: 13:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
A Minor Shape Barre Chords
Mark introduces minor barre chords based on the shape of the "open" Am chord. He refers to these chords as "Type 2 Minor" barre chords.
Length: 12:36 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Mini Barre Chord
Mark demonstrates abbreviated versions of the "Type 1" and "Type 2" barre chords. He calls these "mini barre" chords.
Length: 17:43 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
A Shape Mini Barre
Mark teaches the "mini barre" version of the A major shaped barre chord. He also explains dissonance.
Length: 20:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Mini Barre Chords
Mark Lincoln applies mini-barre chord concepts to minor chords.
Length: 12:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Guitar Technique
Mark Lincoln explains essential components of guitar technique.
Length: 15:59 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Guitar Dynamics
Mark Lincoln explains how dynamics can enhance your playing. He covers topics such as volume, tempo, rests, and more.
Length: 27:48 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Transistion Strums
Mark Lincoln explains more about guitar technique. This time around he introduces "transition strums" and continues his discussion of liquid chords.
Length: 26:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Harmonic Technique
Mark Lincoln explains what harmonics are and how they are played.
Length: 15:31 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Expanding Liquid Chords
Mark Lincoln expands on the concept of liquid chords. He explains new chord variations and how they can be changed in mid-strum.
Length: 16:21 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Spicing up Chords
Mark demonstrates how chord progressions can be spiced up by adding hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Length: 12:21 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Chord Fingering
Mark explains how chord fingerings must be altered when applying "liquid chord" concepts. He also provides a few new "liquid chord" exercises.
Length: 11:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Precision Strumming
Mark returns to the land of chords. This time around, he provides an exercise that contains four variations on the A chord.
Length: 14:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
D to D in Six Steps
Mark provides a chord progression that shifts from one D chord to another in six steps.
Length: 15:20 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chord Voicings and Construction
Mark delves deeper into chord construction and alternate chord voicings.
Length: 13:36 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Quantitative and Qualitative Changes
Mark tests your guitar knowledge with a pop quiz. Then, he discusses quantitative and qualitative changes.
Length: 22:54 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Quantitative and Qualitative Review
In the 26th installment of his basic guitar series, Mark reviews the quantitative and qualitative changes he presented in lesson 25.
Length: 17:34 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Rhythm and Guitar
Mark provides exercises designed to make you a better rhythm player.
Length: 0:00 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Expanded Rhythm Exercise
Mark Lincoln expands on the rhythm exercise from lesson 27. This time around he incorporates several C based chords.
Length: 14:31 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Hand Structure
Mark discusses proper playing technique. He provides a few exercises that facilitate right hand mechanics.
Length: 17:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Cadd9 and Dsus2
Mark provides an exercise that features two new chords - Cadd9 and Dsus2.
Length: 0:00 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Finger Glue and Flexibility
In the 31st lesson, Mark discusses his "finger glue" technique. This technique improves speed and accuracy.
Length: 21:31 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Reviewing Chord Changes
Mark takes a step back in lesson 32 to explain how to make quick and accurate chord changes.
Length: 22:14 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Sliding
Mark explains how to use the slide technique between chords.
Length: 19:24 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Keeping Time While Playing
Mark reviews qualitative and quantitative changes. He explains how to keep time while performing these changes.
Length: 21:17 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
A Minor Progression
Mark discusses qualitative and quantitative changes within an A minor progression.
Length: 19:56 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Chord Transistions
Mark Lincoln discusses several techniques that can be used when transitioning between chords.
Length: 21:43 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chord Transistions Revisited
In this lesson, Mark once again covers the subject of chord transitions. This time around, he focuses on barre chords and includes several helpful exercises.
Length: 23:25 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Playing Individual Notes
In lesson 38, Mark discusses how playing single notes rather than chords can spice up your playing.
Length: 22:56 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Rocking Out
Lesson 39 is all about rocking out. Mark discusses some tips to take your playing to the next level.
Length: 18:08 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Slash Chords
Lesson 40 takes a deeper look at slash chords. Mark discusses why they're called slash chords, and how they are formed.
Length: 14:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Strumming from the Wrist
In lesson 41, Mark reviews the warm-up section and provides new tips on playing adequately from the wrist.
Length: 22:09 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Raising the Barre
Mark builds further on barre chord techniques and liquid chords.
Length: 17:24 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Building on Your Chord Knowledge
In lesson 43, Mark discusses additional skills related to learning and playing chords, specifically "liquification" of chords.
Length: 20:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Experiment With Playing
Lesson 44 is all about trying new things. Mark discusses experimenting with your playing in order to take it to the next level.
Length: 17:20 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Diversifying
In this lesson, Mark once again talks about changing up chord derivatives to create a more unique sound.
Length: 20:56 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Shaping the Hands
In lesson 46, Mark explains how to maximize your options by maintaining chord shapes while playing.
Length: 21:44 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Precision Strumming
Today, Mark takes in depth look at strumming.
Length: 23:57 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Shine Like the Sun
Mark Lincoln teaches an original song entitled "Shine Like the Sun."
Length: 18:59 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Changing Chords : Accuracy and Speed
Mark teaches some useful information on how to mix postures, "finger glue," and techniques to make your chord changes speedy and more effective.
Length: 30:56 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Play Along with Mulitple Chord Voicings
In this lesson, Mark guides you through the world of alternate chord voicings. He teaches several shapes and shows how they can be used to enhance your playing.
Length: 23:06 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Understanding Liquified Chords
Mark brings us a very appealing aspect to better understand the guitar. With his explanation of "liquified" chords, mark will explain how to move up and down the guitar to create different chord voicing.
Length: 25:32 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
About Mark Lincoln
View Full Biography
Mark Lincoln was born in S. California but was raised near Portland Oregon in a town called Beaverton. When he was twelve years old, he began his journey into the realm of the creative by composing poetry and was later published in a journal called "In Dappled Sunlight." He wrote for four years until his older sister blessed him with his first guitar, an old beat-up nylon stringed classical guitar. Mark played that guitar for five years, continuing to compose his own lyrics and starting the process of matching his own words with chords that he was learning on the guitar. He learned to play chords from his friends and from music books that he both bought and borrowed. Mark cited his four biggest influences, at that point at least, as The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, The Rolling Stones.
Mark cites his most current influences as Radiohead, U2, older music by REM, and Peter Gabriel amongst others. He performs with two acoustic guitars, one being a six-string M-36 Martin with a three-pieced back for increased bass response, and a Guild Twelve-string which is his most recent acquisition. Mark is fond of saying that the twelve-string guitar is better because you get two guitars for the price of one, but he still plays his Martin equally as much and with the same passion.
Mark ended up in Fort Collins Colorado where he currently lives, works as a Marriage and Family Therapist, and continues to write, teach and perform music. He currently performs with a group called "Black Nelson" as well as with a number of other seasoned professional musicians including his cousin David, a virtuoso lead-guitar player. Mark has performed in many of the smaller venues in Denver and Boulder, as well as some of the larger ones including the Fox Theatre, The Boulder Theatre, Herman's Hideaway, and also at The Soiled Dove where he opened for Jefferson Starship as a soloist. Some of Mark's originals are also available for your listening pleasure on MySpace.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.This was a great lesson Mark... i am very enthusiastic about learning the guitar now, only because i learned about the b+c and e+f.. made things so much clearer!
Howdy Mark. I just joined up a few weeks ago. I've been playing a little here and there for some time. Now that I've found Jamplay I'm a lot more serious about learning...with some motivation and good instructors. Thanks for keeping it fun. I was LOL when you said you were going to the Dr... I've always been deathly afraid of barre chords, but I'm getting the hang of it. Type one is much easier for me than Type two, although the higher on the neck I get the harder it seems to barre the B string. Anyways...just some positive feedback for you. Thanks...
Hi Mark, just joined up a few weeks ago as a brand new guitar player. Played piano as a kid and never remember having anywhere near as much fun learning as I do here with your lessons. Thanks for that. Wondering about the barre chord here. Whats the reason to put the first finger across all the open strings? is it to give the chords higher up on the neck a similar sound to that same note played open lower on the neck ?
mark, i had been unsure with other instructors what it meant about how barre chords positioned on the neck made other chords. thx for clearing it up... your the best
Hey Caleb, it's fantastic to hear from you and I'm glad that you're doing so well. Keep it up and don't hesitate to keep in touch! Mark
Mark, another first class lesson, well put together and i am picking things up at a fiarly good pace, chreers pipes
Mark, Loving your lessons. But I dont know if it is your video or my computer causing the sound coming out to be exactly one half step up from where you're playing. This is the first video to do it, and its not that awful because I still understand the concept. Has this been a common occurance? -Cody
Some of his lessons were tuned down a half step, unfortunately we did not realize it at the time, but as you mentioned the material is all played the same way, Mark's just sounds different.
I've enjoyed lessons from a few of the tutors but I just wanted to say an extra thanks as you really do a great job of making it fun and relaxed. Nice one. Lee, Wales, UK
Thanks Lee I appreciate it! Mark
Hi Mark I've got small hands and find the type one barre chord really hard to hold. Is it too much of a cheat to use my thumb on the six string and complete the barre with my first finger holding strings one and two? Sounds good when I play - but will it hold me back later?
Hey Gordon! If you need to use your thumb then that's fine but you might want to keep working on it the othger way as well. It's always good to have some flexibility and redundency built into your playing. Good luck, Mark
Mark, are you in standard tuning on this lesson?
Hey Josh! There are a couple of lessons where I'm tuned a half step down, thanks for keeping me on my toes! Mark
haha - no problem. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy! Happy New Year.
Mark~ I'm glad that you've injected some playfulness with the "lessons" so I don't feel like it's so strict. Learning to play a guitar has the potential to be completely liberating as far as creativity and I really think it should come along with ALOT of freedom to play around. So far...so good.
Hey Roberto how are you? Yes, I truly think it's important to have fun with music and evn though there's a lot of hard work involved, I think it's important to remember that it's supposed to be fun as well, right? Great to hear from you! Mark
Mark, Are there any exercises you'd recommend to help ease transitions between open chords to barre chords? I don't have a problem getting the chord to sound out clearly, just can't seem to transition as fast as basic open chords. Thanks.
Hey Striped are you able to attend any of my live chats? Check the schedule and see if you might be able to talk to me directly about your question as I'm quite sure I can help you. Thanks, Mark
Mark, are there names for type 1 and type 2 barre cords, I mean if you were going to play a type 1 barre cord..say A, would it be called a EA Barre cord, I'm a little confused, unless I'm making to much of it
Hey James yes I got your message but have been unable to get back with you until now...so, keep in mind that Type 1 and Type 2 barre chords are how I refer to them. It's simply another way to remember each type of chord but no, you would not label them any differently than A or E or whatever. Just remember: Type 1 are the "E" shaped barres and Type 2 are the "A" shaped barres, that's it! Hope that helps, thanks! Mark
Hy Mark thanks for the awesome lesson. I understood the concept of half steps and whole steps for notes, but I never even thought that it applied to chords, you've opened my eyes! Thanks.
Hey jetman great to hear from you! Yes it's truly amazing when you start to see patterns on the fretboard isn't it? Glad you're doing well with this stuff and rock on my friend! Mark
Great lesson Mark. I am having difficulty making the full barre. I know my hand/fingers are not strong enough for the barring and so forth but eventually I will be able. Practice Practice..thx again
It helps me to apply slight pressure on the body of the guitar with my strumming forarm/elbow area. When you push at the body the neck will want to force outward pushing against your barred fingers helping. Push hard enough you don't need your thumb at all, but strumming would be very hard. As your fingers get stronger apply less and less pressure... you will get it...
Heh, can i recommend using "use somebody" by Kings of Leon to practice the E-shape barre chord. This song consists of a series of them and for a very simple guitar part, it sounds awesome and is a great song. I found it has added some real motivation to stretch those fingers.
Hey Wilkin thanx for writing! I really like the lead singer's voice (leon?) in that band thanx for the input. It's truly amazing how we can find great exercises within the songs and the music we enjoy and it only takes listening actively to tear it all apart and learn from it. Thanx for the great suggestion! Mark
Great lessons Mark. Thanks Bud!
Hi Mark, in scene 4 you are performing a strumming exercise. You are going from chord to chord, and you say you are going from bar chord to bar chord. However, in the video your first finger is not "barring" over all of the strings. Is this a true bar chord? It looks like you are fretting strings 1 and 2 with your first finger. Is this how I should be trying to do this bar chord?If you are strumming all strings, and not fretting the 6th string with your first finger, wouldn't that make the chord sound off? I'm a little confused on what I should be doing with these bar chords.
Hey Erz thanks for writing in....concerning barre chords: the only thing you miss by not playing the sixth string is a low note at the bottom. It's important to understand that you can play chords in different ways without playing them "wrong". It's always prudent to learn to do the chords every way you can and Not get too tied into the concept of what is right or wrong because this will limit your ability to paly in the longrun.Mark
Neither way is right or wrong to be honest and depends on what you are playing. The thing to keep in mind with a barre chord is that if you avoid playing the 6th string, you still have all of the notes needed for the chord so it is indeed still proper. I personally would recommend playing the progression with a full barre chord just because it will build strength, but it certainly doesn't hurt to experiment. If you would like to get more information on this please check out the following lesson as it deals directly with the subject : http://www.jamplay.com/members/guitar/phase1/mark-lincoln-30/lesson12.html
Mark I really like your lessons - but I am having trouble changing over to the barre chords. The E is difficult for me - the A impossible. Either my fingers are not correct or my hand is too small. Any ideas? Thanks
Hi Loren. Yes, Jeff makes some good points and practice is definitely a key factor to learning the more difficult exercises in guitar. Try to go back to mastering the open chords, i.e. your E and A open chords, before going on to the barre chords. Guitar, like any instrument, relies on a firm foundation of the basic skills before mastery of the more difficult skills are possible or probable. Keep at it and maybe increase your practice time on a daily basis and I'm sure you'll get better. Hang in there. Mark
The barre chords are all about hand strength. Very few people can get barre chords right instantly! don't fret, it is highly unlikely your hands are impossible. The best advice is to practice, practice, practice and your hand strength will slowly build up over time. Though there is also the possibility that the guitar you have does not have a neck that is well sized for your hands. I used to have a guitar where I could just NOT barre very well, it was a combo of the action (string height) and the size and shape of the neck. I went to a store and picked out a guitar that fit my hands and they were MUCH easier.
Hey Russ, thanks for your support and the compliments. It's always great to hear from everybody and get feedback as well. Mark
great practice exercise.. thanks
Thanks Mark, It's great to have such good instructors on this site, I pick something new from everybody. Also really like your music on myspace. Russ