Guitar - Major Bar Chord Alternatives

Before you start to play check that your guitar is in tune. Watch our other films on how to tune your guitar, if you are unsure.

Bar chords can be played rooted from the bottom E string and also from the A string. The major D rooted from the A string barring with the first finger on fret 5, the third finger comes across to pinch in through the top part of the knuckle, taking the rest of the fingers off allowing the work to be done by the first finger on the top E string to ring out. So the only notes the third finger will be playing are the D,G and B strings on fret 7.

Practise playing from D major to C, Bflat to C.

Once you are familiar with them practise moving from chord to chord, so that your notes do not have any buzzing or humming sounds. The progressions should sound fluid and smooth with practise.