Hi There,

Im new to the board - came across the site looking for an online guitar tuner, and it is truely brill, so thumbs up to the webteam!

Anyway, bit of background on me - Im one of those people who since childhood has been able to pick something up and make a tune on it! I play lots of Irish Traditional Music, with Irish Whistles being my main instruments, playing in Sessiuns around London. I also play the Flute, and have a potter about on the Piano and Trombone.

So, a forlorn looking guitar was found during the Christmas Clear Out in our house and Im determined to get playing on it. After only really a week or so I have a good few chords worked out - D, G, C, E, Em and A.  And I got myself a Capo today, so with looking at sites like gospelmusic.org.uk I have managed to get a few songs out of the lovely old thing! (quite proud of myself actually! lol)

The chord that is causing me the most grief is B Major  - Please somebody help! I CANNOT work out the whole holding your first finger over all the strings and then dislocating your remaining fingers in the attempt to stretch to get the rest....! Help! Is there an easier way to play it?? Any Tricks?

Ive really got the Bug, and not being able to get BMaj (or F Maj for that matter) is holding me back! Any tips you guys have will be greatly appreciated!


Thanks,

E.

HI

You may want to read up more on bar chords
http://www.guitarchordsmagic.com/basic- … hords.html

Thanks Reggy, thats a really clear article. 
Im happy to know that Im not alone in having the bother getting these! lol.

My fingers are knackered, but Im gonna keep it up!

practice

First off, I would recommend that a new learner avoid trying to learn barre chords so early on.  The strength and dexterity of the chording hand needs a lot of development prior to attempting barre chords.   Thus, try this arrangement for your BMaj chord.  (Note: strings are counted from the bottom up; fingers counted starting with the index to the pinky.

String     Finger      Fret
  1             1            2
  2             4            4
  3             3            4
  4             2            4

It is a stretch, and will feel uncomfortable for a while before you become accustomed and that is all part of the chording hand's dexterity training.   And, do not play the 5th and 6th strings, play only the bottom 4 that are fretted.   I hope this helps.

...take a look at these; both F-Major and Bb-Major are shown (ignore the "degree" numbers)



...simply "move" the Bb chord up (sharp) a halfstep (one fret) toward the bridge and you'll be at B Major.

...the "trick" to playing the B-chord:  use your index finger as a "grande barre" across the A5-thru-E1-strings at fret 2 and then lay your ring finger at fret 4 across the D4-thru-E1-strings...and (here's the "trick") don't even try to fret or play the E1 string...either "mute it" or "don't stroke it" with the pick. Then, later when your fingers "move" better, you can go back and practice making the "full" chord when the E1-string gets sounded.

Thanks reggy that's a really great site, i really learned a lot from it..

before i read it i didn't know about the index finger, and were it should be, so i had a really though
time picking out songs with no bar chords in em' (hehe)

thanks again

it's a good life so why y'all tripping, the good life's slipping away!

hey guys!!!! 

I've just started playing guitar and I love it but i'm having problems.I can't change my fingers fast enough!!!im not making much sense here but does anyone understand me?or even better,has anyone got any tips??

lol
gbb

Hello grainne, everyone had the same problems you're experiencing when they were new at guitar. Just keep working on memorizing chords such as C, A, G, E and D in the open positions nearest the nut, that is to say, closest to the string tuning machines (knobs) and practice moving from one to the other. Don't worry about speed, that will come. Just concentrate on forming the chords according to your book or here in chordbook under 'Guitar Chords'.

Best if you have them all in front of you at once so you can try them then look to see if you have it right. In no time you'll be playing the above five chords from memory. Any more questions, just hollar and someone will help you !

GuitarZen

hey!!

does anyone know 'The Fields of Athenry' on the guitar?this is the first tune that I have learnt but it doesn't sound quite right

hey
sorry, I forgot to thank GuitarZen!!!!

You're welcome grainne, I googled like this: Chords and lyrics for 'The Fields Of Athenry' and found a number of versions. Have a look and let us know which one you like best.

Cheers,

GuitarZen