Bar Chord Forms

Once the open chord forms are mastered, the next set of chords to master are the bar chords. Memorize bar chords and open chords, and you will have mastered the chords played in 90% of popular music. Bar (or Barre) chords are very versatile because they allow the player to transpose the key of a chord without changing the fingering.

E-Form Bar Chords

E-form bar chords are so named because they are shaped like an open E chord, but using your index finger in place of the nut allows you to move up and down the keyboard keeping the same shape. Note that the root is always on the 1st and 6th strings.

Major	Minor	7th	Major 7th	Minor 7th
Sus 4th	Major 9th

E-form bar chords are very popular because they allow the player to strike all six strings at once, and they fill the most aural space while strumming or playing arpeggios. The fact that the root note is repeated 3 times may either be an advantage or a disadvantage in playing, depending on the effect you want to achieve. The repeated root reinforces the root in the ear, making it very good for accompanying a group of singers, but it does not "cut through" the other instruments in a band when playing accents or solo guitar as much as a 2, 3, or 4-string chord might.

A-Form Bar Chords

A-form bar chords get their name from the shape of the open A chord. Like the open A chord, the root is played on the 5th string, the 6th string is either not played or muted, but it is common to leave the index finger across the 6th string even if is not played, if it is more comfortable. Also, it is practical to leave the index finger across the 6th string because most songs require you to alternate quickly between E-form and A-form bar chords.

Major	Minor	7th	Major 7th	Minor 7th
Sus 4th	Major 9th

The 5th on the 1st string is sometimes desirable and sometimes not, since it tends to make the ear anticipate another root note on top. It all depends on the situation. Try muting or not playing the 1st string sometimes to see if it is a better fit.

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