B CHORD - HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR BARRE

[bobbytookalook]

Rob, you totally helped me in 21/2 minutes with something I've wasted a couple of hours trying to master from the chord diagrams! I was kind of heading in the direction of using middle, ring & pinky fingers at the 4th fret positio as there was simply no way for me to capture all 3 strings with the pad of my 3rd finger -- I have fairly small/short fingers for a guy & one would have to almost bend the 1st joint backward & have about 1/8-inch of callous on the fleshy part - impossible! Thank you!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@bobbytookalook I'm glad to hear it. A lot of folks get upset with me, because they still have problems with it, but it is hard. I'm glad it worked for you.

[RyanVlogging]

i've been hating barre chords

[kennylufc]

that's some great advice. I can do the chord but not at speed. it's one difficult chord.

[JcWongAndCompany]

One day I'll make my B chords sound that clean too... time to keep practicing.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@JcWongAndCompany Well said.

[sirwilliam0524]

Or you could try an alternate version which is much easier. Just barre the 7th fret with finger 1. Finger 2 goes on the G string on the 8th fret.. Finger 3 goes the A string on the 9th fret and finger 4 goes on the D string on the 9th fret. Or you can switch 2, 3 and 4 around to whatever comfortably suits you. As I said, this is much easier, but if you are going to be playing this right after, say, a G or E, it can be tricky, so you gotta be fast.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@sirwilliam0524 This isn't hard Sir WIlliam. There is no need to limit oneself. I have 9 year old children that can play it after a couple of months. People have trouble with it, because they don't apply themselves correctly. It is an often used inversion for the complete guitarist, and I hope to give everyone that will listen an upper hand in obtaining the basics for free.

[D3ltaH3adSh0tz1997]

fuck you b chord

[bobbytookalook]

@D3ltaH3adSh0tz1997 You can say that again! Rob really helped tho -- chord books suck in my opinion -- I never do a D chord the way they say -- I 've always used the pinky & it's a lot easier & simpler to get to D7 for example. That stupid Bmaj was in Jingle Bell Rock I was fooling with -- oh well, back to 3 chord "cowboy" songs ;-)

[eulogy09]

Worst chord ever

[damehueco1]

Very useful, but I don't get why you don't like the "double barre" instead of the three fingers on the same fret. Double barre works just as well, I'd say.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@damehueco1 Because you can't play melodies through the chord using the double barre. Also, most people don't get the F# on the E string ringing out clearly on the fly. I can also transition from the B to the B Maj7th with a minimum of effort this way. So, there are several reasons for showing this, but, I do use the double barre occasionally as well.

[van1980]

I can play everything else without even thinking, including the F and other E shape barre chords, but I CANNOT get this. It's like my index finger won't separate enough. I have relatively big hands too.

[puneet256]

i subscribed. now can you please send the pdf ?? :) Appreciated !!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@puneet256 If you want a PDF of the 7 Week Primer links, you don't have to subscribe, you just have to e-mail me at bourassastudio@gmail.com

The Skype server won't let me send files.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@robbourassaguitarist Not the Skype server, the Youtube server. I am doing too much. Skype lets me send huge files.

Just e-mail me.

[AlbondigasDeMierda]

I cant put the 1 finger correctly, damn hard...

[Snakenirvanero]

Thank you very much sir! :).

[doobiescoo1]

Rob,..you are the man! Thanks soooooo much for posting these. I have been playing,...like you describe, just learning tabs,...for two and a half years. I knew I wasn't yet a musician even though I can play quite a few decent covers. And I knew I wanted to be a musician,..so finding this actually is a God send. Thanks, and keep up the great work!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@doobiescoo1 I am glad to hear it. E -mail me at bourassastudio@gmail.com

I will send you ordered links for my 7 Week primer. They are free as well.

Thanks again,

Rob

[spadenn]

The B-chord is making me want to break my fingers and throw away the guitar.

[sonicthehedgehogxp]

my action on my current rental acustic is to high to do this :P

[royglib]

my D string always sounds off because I can't get my fingers nice on the fourth fret with my bar holding... It's painful

[xxJBForeverxx]

I could never play this chord and after this I could! I've never played a barre chord before today! This video helped so much. I've been trying to play B for a year now. I can't believe I actually got it right!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@xxJBForeverxx Great to hear.

[tristin183]

i can never get the high E string to come out .

[robbourassaguitarist]

@tristin183 Pull the bottom of the bout of the guitar against your stomach so you can arch your fingers. Keep your index as close to the fret as possible, and use the side of it.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Yes. If you use the side of your finger near the thumb instead of the bottom, it is easier too. Get it as close to the fret as possible.

[ohohmammamia]

are you barring with your first finger? watching guitar videos late at night with no sound ugh sry lol

[MrTomfooligans]

Thanks, chief.  My B chord is improved!

[behemoth6079]

I prefer the double barre for the A shape barre chords (B, Bb, C barre, etc). i use my ring or pinky to barre the D G and B strings. i have fat fingers so getting all 3 on there becomes a pain.

[MTK4000]

Thanks, this helped. I actually don't have much trouble with F and F#, but for some reason B and Bb are a nightmare.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@MTK4000 That's what a lot of people said.

[mpm111144]

Is this a B Major chord?

[robbourassaguitarist]

@mpm111144 Yes it is. B is short for B Major.

[TheDicamillo]

people say the f chord is the hardest but i think its the b chord.

[ihteu9876]

wow whatta chord.... the B and F chord is hardest of all!!! agree?

[smiley8025]

it sounds nothing and bad when i strum it T_T

[0934101]

Thanks Rob! I had my index too low, raising it gave me a better contact.

[AlazarMarkose]

i gave up on barre chords with other people, but with this vid i got it on my first try. Thanks a lot!

[andersonjayson]

thx really helped bro!!

[KFProdigy]

ahh thanks a lot.

I will share with you the two things that helped me out the most when learning this chord

1. Make sure you position your pinky-middle fingers FIRST, then position your index finger. (dont ask me why this works, it just does)

2. you can rest your index finger literally almost right on top of the the fret.

hope that helps!

[SkrGta]

I tried it the whole day and now i have learned it.

The tip to place my index finger on the fret helped a lot.

thanks so much.

[SkrGta]

how much does it take to master b chord.i just don't seem to hack it.how to place my index finger.some help please

[robbourassaguitarist]

@SkrGta If you have Skype, just call me at robbourassaguitarlessonsonline

I'll show you. I won't charge you because it will only take a minute.

It is much easier than trying to explain it here.

[lxdannydxl100]

@robbourassaguitarist May you help me out online?, I just started playing the guitar 3 days ago, and i cleared some of the basic chords, sets, and tips already.

[jon3601]

i find open chord B much much easier.. which would you say is a better chord to use for most songs?

[BlackXSunlight]

@sabian1110 Final Fantasy fan? Lol, I just learned the whole index finger on the fret too. So much time wassstedddd!

[sabian1110]

omg, this was like a complete paradigm shift for me. it never occurred to me that I could place my index finger on the fret! this has totally increased the quality of sound I get out of barre chords! thanks so much!!!

[perlitablanca]

it does help ..thank you...!!!!

[elevatin124]

I have freakin huge hands and very long fingers how would you suggest playing the bar chords?

[MrSoulSamCooke]

I'm Sure I can do it on my Eletric

But My acoustic Is To Big An Rough

[DaveThePianoDude]

You're a good teacher - your tone of voice is friendly and makes the students (viewers) comfortable.

[elevenkrause]

Very helpful, thanks! Answered my questions, and I'm getting better results (except haven't avoided hand-cramping yet!). But I assume as my hand gets stronger that will go away. Thanks again.

[nileymysweet]

i absolutly HATE B and F chords but thanks this helped...sorta :)

[robbourassaguitarist]

@nileymysweet You are not alone.

[pabloernesto19]

@nileymysweet B major is a pain in the ass lol

[akosiacim95]

Thank you so much for this.

[virtuozza]

Fuck.. my fingers :D:D but thanks for the vid!!!

[kenroy916]

i would say playing the f chord is harder than a b chord but i can play barre chords easily

[fridouw]

Oh thank you so much, I've been struggling with B forever and this helped me! :)

[robbourassaguitarist]

@fridouw Glad to hear it.

[stephthumb]

what the crap is that?!!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@stephthumb That is a B Chord.

[Diggity6470]

shucks i thought this was going to be a video on how to NOT have a cramp in your hand when playing barre chords...any hints? :-D

[robbourassaguitarist]

@Diggity6470 I wish I knew. Almost all of my students have complained at one time or another about that. I remember having that happen even though I had been playing for years, because the song had too many barres and it was long.

Sometimes, our hands get tired.

[cardigansarecool]

I have a quick question. When playing power chords, you have sharp and flat notes, like G flat for example. Is there a way to play that chord not in the barre chord shape but in an open way? So as to be more jangly? Thanks for any help.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Unfortunately, B is not able to be played open, but B7 has a jangly form.

x21202 (left to right strings EADGBE, with fret numbers.)

[cardigansarecool]

@robbourassaguitarist

thanks a lot.

[diablospitt41]

Thanks, very useful video :)

[persinbriana]

thank you so much i could never really figure out how to make that crisp sound. :)

[HollyTheFireNinja]

Really helpful, love you!

[robbourassaguitarist]

You are very welcome Holly.

I don't exactly know what a fire ninja is, but I love you too.

Keep up the good piano work, and maybe you can post some more.

[ronne26]

thanks man, very GOOd video! crystal clear, your video really helps! GOD BLESS!

[Lechoni21]

fffffffff, i got blisters from trying and my wrist hurts lots. still can't get it. lol

[foook111]

Mate, I've been playing for almost a month and a half now, I can strum, play a few chords, like the C A D E G but I'm having trouble getting to grips with the B and the F chord, i cant seem to position my fingers on the strings properly and I find it hard to keep the position, is this common when you begin guitar? Many thanks

[WhatWillBecome1]

@foook111 yes, just practice

[RyanCampStudios]

I've been trying to play this song "Only of You" By Green Day for months now, the intro is A, B, D, E. I have the A, the D and the E down perfect its this B chord, I play it if i place my fingers exactly but i cant switch from A to B. Or any other chord to B for that matter.

[robbourassaguitarist]

I've never heard the tune, but I'm old. I'll give it a listen and try to help you. Give me a few days.

[Yibbanator]

Hmmm, well, I play in a mariachi band and I know the style pretty well, although my main instrument is not the gutiar right now, it used to be. And I'm wondering, is there ANY other way to play this chord? Because when I play it (that is, alternating) with the F7, it should harmonize, but it doesn't. I'm playing the chord EXACTLY as you are; it sounds the same as well, but it just doesnt work. Are there any different of ways of playing this chord?

[robbourassaguitarist]

Hi. The B chord doesn't harmonize with the F7.

Bb does though. It is one fret lower, so use the barre on the 1st fret instead of the second. In the key of Bb, the Tonic is Bb, the subdominant is Eb, and the dominant 7th is F 7th.

Hope this helps.

[Yibbanator]

@robbourassaguitarist Ahhh.. Thanks! Appreciate the feedback. And good work on all of your videos!

[smiledreamshine]

Im 14 so my hands are really tiny and im having trouble getting my fingers to stretch that far... and when i play it it sounds horrible even if all the strings are held down tight... sounds like im playing a ukulele

[robbourassaguitarist]

Pull the guitar tight against your stomach, so you have leverage, and make sure you don't try to look at the fingers, because you will tilt the guitar, making it impossible to arch your fingers enough to bridge the strings.

Keep the thumb behind the neck, and try over and over till you get one clear take. It will take a lot of work, but once you have it, you'll have it for good.

I could do it at 14, and my hands were no bigger than yours, just keep trying.

[smiledreamshine]

Thank you very much (:

[robbourassaguitarist]

Hang in there.

[codyjt5150]

ive been playing for almost 5 months now and im still having issues with the barre chords, i can actually play scales way better than barres mainly because every time i try to do it the b string won't make a sound. im not sure what im doin wrong with it. its somethin to do with that part of my index finger

[robbourassaguitarist]

Are you using the side of your finger? If you lay it flat across the fleshy part, it is harder to get a firm grip, but the bonier, side of the finger makes better contact.

[codyjt5150]

thanks, i can hear all the strings playin now i wouldve never figured that out in 5 years if you didnt tell me

[robbourassaguitarist]

I mentioned it in the video, but I am not as clear as I would wish to be. I'm glad it worked.

[snootmuffin]

BTW i have small hands

[t3hn00bzor]

I have big fingersso i have a hard time keeping my middle finger in with my ring and pinky.

[snootmuffin]

after 2 weeks of practicing almost every day i still cant do it??!!! i really need help plz

[robbourassaguitarist]

Skype me and I'll take a look at what you're doing wrong.

[psnboy23]

is it suppose to hurt the wrist when u do it?

[robbourassaguitarist]

Sometimes it does after awhile at first.

[marez71]

another way to improve your barre is to KEEP PLAYING IT!!(as any other "difficult" technique) just the way the great guitarrists from before used to do it

[Bradatimrkonja]

I have a problem with holding the bare, meaning I can't really play any string right when I attempt to do it

[oaklandfla2]

Thank you , I finally have a decent f____n B chord.

[RIKiSORSAnVEL1]

thanks

[phototecglobal]

Thank you so much for your vid but one question please. When getting this technique do you recommend sticking with this way or learning how to barre the 3rd fret in stead of the A shape? Many thanx

[robbourassaguitarist]

Sorry, I don't understand your question. This would be how I would play this form at any fret, but if I were playing an A at the 2nd fret. everything would change, and that form is in Week 4 of the 7 Week Primer, under I,VI, II, V Progressions.

[phototecglobal]

Sorry I didn't word it to good, a little tipsy last night! You mention in your vid that to hold a B chord by doing a mini barre at the 4th fret and index finger at the 2nd on the B note would not ring out clearly. You say to hold the chord in the shape of an A at the 4th fret and barre as usual at the

2nd. I see many people play the mini barre, my question was do you reccommend practicing the A shape barre chord or accomplishing the mini bar. Hope this is clearer, many thanx.

[robbourassaguitarist]

I recommend doing it just as I had. Most people can't get the E string to ring out clearly if they bar those 3 strings. Even those that can, rarely do so on the fly, and can't play chord solo well.

Do as you wish.

[phototecglobal]

Many thanx again for your reply, yes I've been practicing the way you demonstrate but was curious to the way people barre this chord instead. The way you show this is very traditional and practical and most effective as you say. Thanx for sharing your knowledge and time.

[iHoady]

B.

I hate B - I am teaching myself and I can play most chords now. It is just a matter of time before I perfect changing to them with ease. I can even play Bm, F as barre chords but I CANNOT play B! It is such an awkward shape.

How long did it take you to get used to playing a B? The video is making it easier for me though, thank you! I guess it is practise, practise and more....you guessed it!

[robbourassaguitarist]

If you notice, this is the most viewed of all my videos. Everyone hated B at sometime. It has been the hardest of all the basic chords for the majority of my beginning students.

I have had private students learn this chord well within a month, and with proper practice, I would say most people could do that, though it took me a lot longer.

In this video, I just pointed out some of the things that I was doing wrong when I started playing, and this has seemed to help a lot of my students.

[soniczek]

it helped! thx! :D

[robbourassaguitarist]

Glad to hear it.

[SgtConifer12]

I really get frustrated when I try to play this chord. I've gotten used to the E major shape barres like F# since I've been able to "cheat" by barring the top 2 strings and just leaving the bottom E string out when I strum. something about these A shape barres, no matter how much I move around one of the strings sounds dead and my fingers are extremely uncomfortable. I don't know if it's my thumb position - whether it should be arched or flat,or if I just need to strum this damn chord all day.

[robbourassaguitarist]

I would just keep moving my index finger around until it sounds right, and keep it flat, using the thumb side of the finger more.

And yes, do the thing all day, till it sounds right. Once you have it, it gets easier every time.

[SgtConifer12]

Thanks very much for the response, I've been wondering about these physical aspects for barres for some time now... it already sounds a bit better, now it's just a matter of motivating myself to do the dirty work and practice this extensively!

[FlashedBlaze]

Man this guy made it easy =D. I can play it pretty good, just a little slow on transitions.

[lazomaniac]

practice and moar practice

[lazomaniac]

this is the hardest one!!

[robbourassaguitarist]

Hang in there.

[asianazil]

i have a really hard trouble keeping my fingers on a chord, it seems like i just can't reach and i get this really awkward position, when i got my fingers not laying flat, i can't put the bar down, is there a tip somewhere that Im not aware of?

[andrecalvoandre]

Thanks.

[robbourassaguitarist]

You're welcome. I hope it helps.

[liquid17sharpie]

Thank you so much!! I've been having trouble getting this chord to sound right since I have small hands. This really helped me out. :)

[robbourassaguitarist]

Glad to help.

[angelgrl2007]

Thanks I was trying to figure out how to do this! I guess I have to practice quite a bit first though :)

[daanixDynamite]

this really helps A LOT!!! :-) thanks a million!!!!

[robbourassaguitarist]

Glad to hear it. You are welcome.

[TrUthSmith]

Thanks!!!

[japeyesurfer]

I thought for the B chord you didnt need to top the E string?

[robbourassaguitarist]

Watch the video again, and forward it to 2:00.

You only need 5 strings for the B, but we want to grab the whole barre, for clarity, and so you can pick up the 5th note of the scale in a 6th string, alternating bass.

[otterlynn]

don't have my headphones with me but looking forward to hearing; have just started barre chords and can't even make a barre! But - if you don't clamp down on all six strings doesn't that mean that the strings you are fretting are playing from the "true" nut and the other strings (being barred) are ringing from the "barred" or revised nut? I am sure I am overthinking....

[elektra1984]

its very hard to do this when playing barring helps more

[robbourassaguitarist]

I always had a tough time with barre chords, till I started trying all of these techniques.

[elektra1984]

i feel its hopeless :(

[robbourassaguitarist]

I did too. Just a little 4 string F used to get me depressed. I couldn't even barre the first two strings, let alone all 6.

What you do, is keep working at it, and after a couple of months, you'll see that it sounds a bit better. With half hour a day of practice, you will probably look back on this and laugh in 6 months.

[elektra1984]

thanks dude i ll do it

[donomar2190]

so, the index finger is supposed to clamp down all 6 strings?

[robbourassaguitarist]

The nice thing is, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings are already fretted, so it doesn't have to really work hard on those strings at all.

[rutger5000]

Call me stupid, but I still don't get it. Is a B chord just like an A chord but then 2 freds lower?

[robbourassaguitarist]

You're not stupid at all. You are right.

[EvilJamJar]

Don't forget to barre the 2nd fret.

[fairyglade]

oh my goodness, that helped SO MUCH. i was about to break my fingers trying to get them to hit all the strings. thanks!

[robbourassaguitarist]

That's great.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Excellent. That's great.

[wokla]

ok, thanks!

[wokla]

great video there! When i play a song with only barre chords, my thumb gets really sore real quick. Maybe i should change my positioning? or is it just a matter of practice?

[robbourassaguitarist]

Your thumb will get sore until your hand gets stronger. Don't overdo it, but keep at it. You won't have this problem soon.

[soccergirl290221]

is my 1st finger supposed to hit all strings?

[robbourassaguitarist]

Yes, it should, but the nice thing is, it only has to push down on the 5th, and 1st. The other strings are already fretted by other fingers, so, you don't have to strain yourself.

It should take a couple of weeks of work.

Be patient, you'll need barre chords to do a lot of the music most people like.

[soccergirl290221]

thanks, i'll keep working at it:)

[coldasyou22]

yay! thank you! you helped me sooo much! =]

[robbourassaguitarist]

I'm glad it's working. Let me know if you have questions.

[dysondco1]

thats great if you can fit all three fingers on the fourth fret but I have quite wide sausage fingers and find it hard, so the only way for me is to play the three strings with one finger,but the advantage of having sausage fingers is when you are barring the second fret which I find quite easy

[robbourassaguitarist]

I would love to have sausage fingers. I listen to the tonality of guys like Andre Segovia, and compare it with my own, and I basically give up on the thought of being a serious classical player.

You have a great advantage, even though some chords may not be as easy to pull off.

[robbourassaguitarist]

If you start at the first lesson, and go all the way through the seven week program, the videos will show you on the way.

You have to practice with the exercises for about half an hour a day, six days a week, and you will be able to.

Let me know if you can't find the first lesson.

[emilyy345]

when my 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers are on the 4th fret, my first finger can't reach to the 2nd fret! does that mean that i can't ever play the B chord?

[robbourassaguitarist]

It should take about three or four days of hard work, keeping your last three fingers planted firmly, while you angle and stretch your first finger over the fret.

The first finger basically only has to touch the 5th and 1st strings. I have had 8 year old kids do this successfully, so keep trying.

Look at the angle of my hand in the video.

Also, hold up your hand, bunch the last three fingers together, and see how for you can spread your first finger away from them. This exercise might help.

[RandomDota]

lol ive been trying to play this chord for 2 weeks now and been praticing all chord for about a week i'm starting to make all the sounds without fiss sound.. but question is, how the hell are you meant to play that on the fly -___- lol it takes me about 3 -4 seconds to set the b chord up..

[lilcitygirl16]

the top string doesnt sound right when I do it. its not high enough :(

[ccsitaround]

that is a great lesson--better than some that teach using just the third finger to hold down the strings that for me was difficult--thanks a lot!

[Antphoneigh]

'keeping close to the fret' omg i played the Bm chord very clearly thankyou!

[iamgladtobesad]

Thanks for this - I'd beeen trying to use one finger on the 4th fret and I was getting nowhere. I can do it your way, and I will stick with it !

[robbourassaguitarist]

When you use your 3rd finger to fret 3 strings, you often mute the first. It doesn't matter much if you don't want the first string ringing out. Kingslayer666 plays "Death Metal", so that seems to be the technique. Not good for most types of music.

[kingslayer666]

yes i agree... everyone is different... its personal preference.

[kingslayer666]

i just use my 3rd finger to fret all 3 strings...

[Epipanie]

B chord is just so hard...urgh!

[robbourassaguitarist]

I know. I remember having a lot of trouble with this one. Keep trying.

[rgeo81]

sounds horrible when try!thanks 4 sharing vid

[robbourassaguitarist]

Keep trying, and make sure you sit right, pulling the guitar in toward your lap, not trying to look at your fingers. Also, use the side of your finger, press hard, with pressure on the first finger mostly, and keep the fingers arched.

Give it a while. It will work.

[bluerr22]

you're such a good teacher!!! you helped me a lot! thanx!

[robbourassaguitarist]

Glad to be of help.

[lw216316]

No more 1 11/16 ? May I add to that, no more 1 3/4 ! I have a 1 7/8 steel string with no plans to get anything less for my fingerstyle playing ! I started out with 2 inch classical and never was comfortable with less.

[gesser60]

My problem with this chord is fitting 3 fat fingers at the same fret on adjacent strings, not the barre so much.

This chord shape, more than any other, makes me appreciate wide string spacing. (No more guitars with 1-11/16" nut width for me.)