Video Question: Barre Chord Shapes

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Date: November 9th, 2007 | Length: 5.36 | Instructor: David Anthony

Kylehumer asks: "how do I know which notes I can play that sound good in lead over any given chords I choose?" Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

Other Video Responses:

Right Hand Hammer-Ons, Tapping Question - June 9th, 2008 (6 minutes, 00 seconds)

bator82 asks, "Hey guys, thanks for the lessons. I was just wondering if any of the instructors knew how to do hammer ons with both hands. It seems like even when I know the notes, I have a hard time getting the sustain I want when I have to hammer on with my right hand. Does it have to do with the amp's gain, the guitar's natural sustain, pickup volume and tone, or do I need a compressor, or again, is it all in the technique. If so, are there exercises I can do to help out with right hand hammer ons and even slides? Thanks in advance." View Response

Right Hand Technique - June 12th, 2009 (4 minutes, 00 seconds)

Lucasholland asked "Hey guys, I've got a question on right hand technique as it applies to playing with a pick. It seems that there are 2 main styles out there: The first one involved the hand looking like a fist. The other style has the fingers kind of sticking out. I hope you know what I mean. When I first started I played in the first style all the time but I read on the internet that the second style gives you more accuracy and my experimentation has so far confirmed this. I'm not as adept at that technique as I am at the fist-like technique but with practice I think I could get there. What's your take on those 2 techniques? Thanks, Lucas." View Response

Down Picking and Speed - December 3rd, 2008 (4 minutes, 13 seconds)

Seppo asked "Hi everybody! I've been trying to play some easy metal song like Walk from Pantera or for whom the bell tolls from Metallica, but I've had some problems with fast downpicking parts. I can't keep up with the speed, just playing the open E string fast is hard for me. I was wondering if I might have something wrong with my technique, 'cos the upper part of my right arm gets painful easily from fast downpicking. Sorry for bad grammar and thanks for helping! :)." View Response

Barre Chords - November 28th, 2007 (3 minutes, 35 seconds)

Louis Aves asks: "Hi Steve- What is the correct position of the thumb when making a barre chord ? I have tried putting my thumb in line with my first finger and also running my thumb along the neck pointing toward the nut but both cause a lot of pain around the base of my thumb when I move position.The only way I can kind of do it is by bending my thumb in almost a right angle shape and using the tip, not the pad,to press on the back of the neck but this makes for quite a lot of movement and time to get from open to barre chords and vice versa. Any suggestions? (Apart from sell my guitar ! ) Love the lessons Steve." View Response

Easy 2 or 3 Chord Songs - February 19th, 2008 (1 minutes, 16 seconds)

Umbertone asked, "Hy guys, First of all, I love this site. I wish I could have had this opportunity 40 years ago. Oh, well!!! Since I'm not in it to become a master guitarist, but to have a bit of fun with my guitar, I'd like to ask you guys if you could prepare some videos about what I think may be easier songs. For examples, I'd like to learn some Beatles songs, or some CCR, or Eagles, or Queen. I would really appreciate the effort. Thank you very much. Keep up the excellent work you're doing. Umberto." View Response