Barre Chords Explained: How to Play F and Bm
Barre chords are the step every guitarist struggles with – and the step that unlocks every key. In a barre chord your index finger presses all the strings across one fret, acting like a movable capo, while the other fingers form an open chord shape.
The two shapes you need
Almost all barre chords come from two open shapes. The E shape has its root on the 6th string, and the A shape has its root on the 5th string. Move the shape up the neck and the chord name changes with the root note.
E shape (root on 6th string) A shape (root on 5th string) F 1 3 3 2 1 1 Bb x 1 3 3 3 1 Fm 1 3 3 1 1 1 Bm x 2 4 4 3 2 G 3 5 5 4 3 3 C x 3 5 5 5 3 Am 5 7 7 5 5 5 Dm x 5 7 7 6 5
Notes on the 6th and 5th strings
To play any barre chord, find the root on the string where the shape has its root:
Fret: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6th string: F F# G G# A A# B C C# D 5th string: A# B C C# D D# E F F# G
Technique
- Roll the index finger slightly onto its bony side; the soft centre doesn't press evenly.
- Place the barre close to the fret wire.
- Put your thumb behind the neck, roughly behind your middle finger, and pull back gently with your arm instead of squeezing.
- Only the strings not covered by other fingers need the barre – often just the 1st, 2nd and 6th strings.
Exercises
- Barre only: press the index finger across the 5th fret (easier than the 1st) and play each string slowly. Adjust until all ring.
- Shape: add the other fingers to make Am (5 7 7 5 5 5). Release and press again 10 times.
- Move it: slide the shape down one fret at a time towards F at the 1st fret.
- Change: practise C to F and G to Bm, slowly, one minute per day.
- Shortcut: until the full F is clean, use Fmaj7 (x x 3 2 1 0) or the small F (x x 3 2 1 1).