A Shape Barre Chords Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (13:08) Review and A Shape Warm-Up Time
Before moving on with this lesson, be sure to review and warm-up with the following:

- Warm-up the hands.
- Stretch the wrists.
- Play the major and minor open chords.
- Warm up your strumming muscles by relaxing the wrists and letting the pick flow over the strings. Play the E major chord in the "new" way outlined in the new lesson and play the type 1 barre chords.

Warmed up and ready to go? Good!

As you might recall from our last lesson, the type 1 barre chords use the open E major chord as their central configuration. Keep in mind that the first finger must remain free to to barre all six strings or simply hold down the B and high E strings. Refer back to last week's lesson plan if you need to refresh your memory.

Type 2 Barre Chords
The type 2 barre chords use the A major chord as their central configuration.
Here is the A chord that you are familiar with:

E_0_
B_2_
G_2_
D_2_
A_0_
E_X_


Just as we did with the type 1 barre chords, I want you to play the A chord in a new way.

Leaving your first finger free, put your middle finger on the D-string second fret, your third finger on the G-string second fret, and your pinky on the B-string second fret. This is the exact same chord that you’ve been playing. Now however, the first finger is free to perform other tasks. Play the A chord with this fingering and this strum: or simply down down down down. Remember to relax your wrist and allow the pick to flow over the strings.

If you have viewed my last couple of lessons, then you have heard me talk about the sloping A-chord, which is just another way of playing the above A chord, but with just the third or ring finger. This method takes some finger strength and some practice but is inevitably the best way to play the A configuration when playing the type 2 barre chord. It would look like this:

A major
E_0_
B_2_
G_2_
D_2_
A_0_
E_X_

In the sloping A-chord, rather than using the second, third and fourth fingers to play this configuration, use only the third or ring finger to play all three fretted notes. Watch my lesson carefully to see how I do this.

When you first try this, your ring finger may have the tendency to just lay flat, touching the high E-string (which you must try to avoid even though it may be difficult right now). Or, it may not be able to hold down the strings properly, creating a buzz or muted string sound. These are natural side effects of attempting this method and can be remedied by repetitious practice and increased flexibility. Also, as I will demonstrate in the video lessons again and again, pushing your chord hand forward and keeping your fingers perpendicular to the fret board should help you to push your ring finger into the sloping position and help to improve contact with the appropriate strings.

Now, play the sloping A chord in the last rhythm that I showed you. () For this next part, remember where the half and whole steps occur in the musical alphabet. Here is a B chord in the type 2 barre formation:

B Major
E_2_
B_4_
G_4_
D_4_
A_2_
E_X_

Notice the A configuration at the fourth fret of this chord. Play this B chord using the sloping A-chord over the strings on the fourth fret. Then, either place your first finger over the A-D-G-B-E strings at the second fret or just simply cover the high E-string at the second fret. Notice the A chord pattern within the B chord and how it is a whole step or two frets above where the A-chord is played. Play this chord using the "down down down" rhythm that we've been using today. Here is a type 2 C chord:

C Major
E_3_
B_5_
G_5_
D_5_
A_3_
E_X_

Again, notice the A configuration at the fifth fret. Remember when you look at the B chord I just showed you, and when you look at this chord, that there is only a half step between B and C. Hence, I only moved up one fret. Play this chord using the sloping A configuration or if you need to, using the three-finger technique that we started with. Play this chord with the down down down down rhythm and continue to work on your sloping A technique. After that, play the type 2 D chord by simply moving the C chord up two frets or a whole step. Then, play the E chord by moving up a whole step. Finally, play the F-chord by moving up a half step. Hopefully you now why you need to know where the half and whole steps go. Once you have mastered this system, you can figure out where chords are all over the fretboard! Chapter 2: (04:20) Exercises Exercise 1
Play the E major chord using the “new” fingering. Then, play all of the type 1 barre chords as far up the neck as you can using this strum: or "down up down up." Concentrate on listening to the sound that you're producing and try to keep your hand perpendicular to the neck of the guitar. Play each chord four times and then move up the neck, naming the chords aloud as you play. If you need to refer back to where the half and whole steps are, do so now.

Exercise 2
Play the A major chord with the "new" fingering, and then play all of the type 2 barre chords as far up the neck as you can with this strum: or "down up down up." Play each chord four times and then move up the neck. Once again name the chords to yourself as you play. Work hard on playing the sloping A, as this is an integral part of the type 2 barre chord and will facilitate your ability to play this type of chord.

Exercise 3
Play the E and then the sloping A without using your first finger). Also, play the other open chords in the context of a progression with these other chords. Try to play some barre chords mixed in with the open chords, and listen to the similarities between barre and open chords of the same name. For example, play a type 2 C chord, and then play an open C. How would you describe the overall difference in sound?

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