Bar chords are probably the most powerful chords you can learn on the guitar, because they are so versatile. With just a single chord pattern memorized, you can play in every key. Learn four patterns, and you’re ready to take on the world.
Bar chords are so important, I’ve created an entire course on them. You’ll learn the highlights in this short video, but if you’d like me to walk you through it much more slowly and in more detail, covering many more chord combinations, then I’d recommend checking out the course. You can find it here.
Alright, let’s dive in.
In this video I show you how to use four chord formations to create 48 different chords. The four basic chord patterns are shown below:
6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 (string number)
0 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 0 – 0 “E” Pattern Bar Chord
0 – 2 – 2 – 0 – 0 – 0 “Em” Pattern Bar Chord
X – 0 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 0 “A” Pattern Bar Chord
X – 0 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 0 “Am” Pattern Bar Chord
When you read the patterns above, if there is an X, don’t play that string. Where there are numbers, make sure you’re pressing the correct string on the given fret number.
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