bar (chord)
LEXIS
barre
ceja
Grasping multiple strings with one fingering at a time to play a chord. Mostly the index finger is used, occasionally the little finger. All four strings are used for the full barre, mostly the 1st to 3rd strings for the small bar chord. In the notation, a bar may be recommended in the line for the fingering with the letter „B“ and the indication of the position (e.g., „B II“ = barre in the 2nd fret). A solid or dashed line with a downstroke can indicate the actual phrase where this indication applies.
Many of the moveable patterns are played as barre.
Fretboard chart for D7 chord with full barre
<class chords>2bbb2.23</class>
Fretboard chart for C minor chord with small barre
<class chords>03bb33.</class>
Example
(Example from Die beste Zeit im Jahr ist mein)
Technical hints
- The barring finger should be as close as possible to the upper fret.
- The barring finger should be fully stretched, at right angles to the fretboard, and lie as flat as possible on the string.
- Especially the uppermost joint of the cross-finger should rest firmly on the string.
- The barring finger can be turned slightly outwards so that the finger nail points in the direction of neck.
- The thumb works best to support the barré when it rests parallel below the fingerboard at the level of the middle finger.
- If another finger is free, it can be placed on the barring finger to increase the pressure.
- The elbow of the fret hand should be pressed towards the body.