Confession #13 - Learn More Barre Chords!

In Confession #11 - Learn Root 6 Barre Chords and in Confession # 12 - Learn Root 5 Barre Chords we learned how to take the open E chord shape and the open A chord shape and use them to create a bunch more chords by sliding the shape up and down the neck of the guitar and barring finger 1 across all the strings.

In this week's confession, we'll learn how to create major, dominant 7th, minor and minor 7th barre chords.

With these extra chords, you'll have the ability to play the majority of the principal chords in any given key!

With this ability and a bit of knowledge from next week's confession, you'll have the ability to start creating your own chord progressions and write your own songs!

TRIVIA - The rhythm guitar part for The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry" consists entirely of root 5 barre chords, both major and minor.  Great songs can be written with just basic chords!


WARNING!  Barre chords can be very hard on your fretting hand.  Make sure that you warm-up first (see Confession #6 - Warm-Up!).  If you start to feel any pain or discomfort in your fretting had, stop immediately!  If you keep on playing, you can do serious damage to your fretting hand.


ROOT 6 / E SHAPE BARRE  CHORD VARIATIONS

First we'll start with some E shape major chords.

Remember from Confession #11 - Learn Root 6 Barre Chords!  that the name of the chord comes from the fretted note on the sixth string.  In the examples that follow, that's an F, so these are all variations on an F chord.

EDIT - The last 2 charts are labelled incorrectly, and should say Dominant 7th chord.  I will fix them later.

Note the two different ways of playing the dominant 7th chord.  While technically the same chord, each has a  slightly different feel, so try both and see which fits best in your song.


Next we'll do some E shape minor chords:

ROOT 5 / A SHAPE BARRE  CHORD VARIATIONS

First we'll start with some A shape major chords.

Remember from Confession #12 - Learn Root 5 Barre Chords!  that the name of the chord comes from the fretted note on the fifth string.  In the examples that follow, that's a B, so these are all variations on a B chord.

EDIT - The last 2 charts are labelled incorrectly, and should say Dominant 7th chord.  I will fix them later.

Next we'll do some A shape minor chords:

Spend some time practicing these chords to prepare for next week's confession.  Focus on the major and the minor chords, and if you have time the 7th chords.


Next Week's Confession - Know What Chords to Play!