In Part I of our barre chord lesson (which you can find here) we learned the most common major and minor shapes and we started to work on building finger strength.
The next step is to learn how to move these shapes along the fretboard to unlock all the major and minor chords.
Navigate The Fretboard
You can “count up” from the open string using this simple set of rules:
- Usually go up 2 frets to get to the next note (from C to D = 2 frets, from D to E = 2 frets, etc.)
- EXCEPT when you are going from B to C, or E to F – they are only 1 fret apart (see below)
- To find # (sharp) and b (flat) notes, first find the natural note, then go up or down from that note to get the sharp or flat version of it (go up from D to get D#, go down 1 fret to get Db)
Quiz – Find The Note
(hover/click to reveal answer)
E string - 3rd fret
G
E string - 1st fret
F
E string - 5th fret
A
E string - 6th fret
A#/ Bb
E string - 8th fret
C
E string - 12th fret
E
A string - 2nd fret
B
A string - 1st fret
A#/ Bb
A string - 5th fret
D
A string - 6th fret
D#/ Eb
A string - 8th fret
F
A string - 10th fret
G
Moving The Barre Chord Shapes Around The Fretboard
So here’s the basic premise:
- Find the root of the chord you wish to play (if you’re trying to play F#minor then find the F# note, if you want to play B major then find a B on the fretboard)
- Line up your barre finger (first finger) with that note (for E major and E minor chords, your root note needs to be on the E string. For A major and A minor, your root needs to be on the A string)
- Play!
Part 1 – Most Common Shapes + Building Initial Strength
Part 2 – Navigate The Fretboard + Learn To Play Barre Chords In Any Key
Part 3 – 4 Tips That Make Barre Chords Much Easier To Play