Though you may find the barre chords hard to learn and play, it is important that you must know the essential guitar barre chords that are mostly used in songs and learn them.
You can play most of the songs using open chords like C, D, E, F, G, and A but in some songs, you have to use the bar chords to make it sound good. Keeping this in mind I have laid down 19 most important barre chords that you must learn as a beginner.
I know learning bar chords is boring but you can make it more fun and motivating by learning the songs that have bar chords.
You can find the usage of barre chords in songs like Hotel California by Eagles, Sultan of Swings by Dire Straits, Cocaine by Eric Clapton, Polly by Nirvana, I shot the sheriff by Bob Marley, Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix, Creep by Radio Head and many more.
Practicing the songs with bar chords is not only fun but it will also help you in building finger strength that will eventually help in making your guitar playing easier.
So, here are 19 essential guitar barre chords for beginners with chord chart
1. A Bar Chord
To hold the A Bar Chord, simply place your 1st finger on the 5th fret and bar it completely then place your second finger on the 6th fret of the G string, third finger on the 7th fret of A string and finally place your fourth finger on the 7th fret of the D string. Here no strings are muted which means you have to strum or pick all the strings.
2. Am Bar Chord
To hold the Am Bar Chord, place your 1st finger on the 5th fret and bar it completely, place your third finger on the 7th fret of the A string and finally place your pinky ( little ) finger on the 7th fret of the D string. You can also use your second and third finger instead of third and fourth finger to hold the 7th fret of the A and D string. Whichever is comfortable for you but make sure to choose one finger combination.
3. Am7 Bar Chord
Though there are many Am7 bar chord shapes, this one is the most common shape that you are going to use. To hold the chord, bar all the string on the 5th fret using your first finger and place your third finger on the 7th fret of the A string.
4. A7 Bar Chord
To hold the A major & bar chord, place your first finger over the 5th fret and bar all the string then place your second finger on the 6th fret of G string and third finger on the 7th fret of A string.
5. B Bar Chord
To properly hold B bar Chord, place your first finger on the second fret and bar all the strings except the 6th string and bar the D, G, and B string on the 3rd fret, that’s all.
6. Bm Bar Chord
Bm bar chord is one of the most used bar chord among the guitarists. To hold it, bar all the strings on the second fret using your first finger and place your second finger on the third fret of 2nd string, third finger on fourth fret of D string and finally fourth finger on 4th fret of G string.
7. B7 Bar Chord
To hold the B7 bar chord, place your first finger on the 2nd fret and bar all the strings except the 6th string and place your third finger on the 4th fret of D string and fourth finger on 4th fret of B string.
8. C Bar Chord
To hold the C Bar Chord, bar all the string on the 3rd fret using your first finger and using your third finger bar D, G and B strings on the 5th fret.
9. Cm Bar Chord
To hold the Cm bar chord, bar all the string on the 3rd fret using your first finger. Next, place your second finger on the 4th fret of B string, third finger on the 5th fret of D string and finally fourth finger on 5th fret of G string.
10. C7 Bar Chord
To hold the C7 bar chord, bar all the strings on the 3rd fret except the 6th string using your first finger and place your third finger on the 5th fret of D string and fourth finger on 5th fret of B string.
11. D Bar Chord
To hold the D bar chord, bar all the string on the 5th fret using your first finger and using your third finger bar the D, G and B strings on the 7th fret.
12. Dm Bar Chord
To hold the D bar chord, place your first finger on the 5th fret and bar all the strings. Next, place your second finger on 6th fret of B string, third finger on 7th fret of D string and fourth finger on 7th fret of G string.
13. Dm7 Bar Chord
This is the most easiest bar chord in this list. To hold the Dm7 bar chord place your first finger on the 2nd fret and bar the E, B and G strings. Here you have to play A and D strings open.
14. E Bar Chord
To hold the E bar chord, bar all the strings across 7th fret using your first finger and bar the 9th fret of D, G and B strings using your third finger.
15. Em Bar Chord
To hold the Em bar chord, bar all the strings on the 7th fret using your first finger. Next, place your second finger on 8th fret of B string, third finger on the 9th fret of D string and fourth finger on the 9th fret of the G string.
16. F Bar Chord
To hold the F bar chord, place your first finger on the 1st fret and bar all the strings. Next, place your second finger on 2nd fret of G string, third finger on 3rd fret of A string and fourth finger on 3rd fret of D string.
17. Fm Bar Chord
To hold the Fm bar chord, bar all the strings on the 1st fret using your first finger. Next, place your third finger on 3rd fret of A string and fourth finger on 3rd fret of D string.
18. G Bar Chord
To hold the G bar chord, place your first finger on 3rd fret and bar all the strings. Next, place your second finger on the 4th fret of G string, third finger on the 5th fret of A string and fourth finger on the 5th fret of D string.
19. Gm bar Chord
To properly hold the Gm bar chord, place your first finger on the 3rd fret and bar all the strings. Next, place your third finger on the 5th fret of the A string and fourth finger on the 5th fret of the D string.
