Barre Chords

As a supplement to our class section addressing concerns with barre chords....

History

The term "barre" is originally either from the French (rod) or Spanish (sweep). As in a ROD across the strings, or the finger is SWEEPING across the strings. Both imply a BAR across the strings, but the original spelling "barre" is typically used nonetheless.

Songs

(mostly barre chords)*****

"Yellow Ledbetter" Pearl Jam (1992)

(using E shape)

E - - - /B - - - /A - - - /E - - - /

E - - - /B - - - /A - - - /E - - - /

repeat

"I'm Yours" Jason Mraz (2008)

(using E shape)

B - - - /B - - - /F# - - - /F# - - - /
G#m - - - /G#m - - - /E - - - /E - - - /
repeat
transition chord: C#7 - - - /

B = fret 7

F# = fret 2

G#m = fret 4 (note: Em shape)

"The Wind Cries Mary" Jimi Hendrix (1967)

(using E shape)

body of the song:

C - Bb - /F - - - /C - Bb - /F - - - /

C - Bb - /F - - - /G - Bb - /chord riff....

(limited barre chords)*****

"Wild Horses" Rolling Stones (1971)

(Bm uses Am shape at 2nd fret)

G....
verse:
Bm - - - /G - - - /Bm - - - /G - - - /
Am - - - /C - - D /G - - - / D - - - /
repeat as needed

chorus:
Am - - - /C - - D /G - F - /C - - - /
Am - - - /C - - D /G - F - /C - - D /
(G....)

"Hotel California" The Eagles (1976)

(barres as fret #2 - Bm uses Am shape, F# uses E shape)

verse:
Bm - - - /F# - - - /A - - - /E - - - /
G - - - /D - - - /Em - - - /F# - - - /
repeat

chorus:
G - - - /D - - - /F# - - - /Bm - - - /
G - - - /D - - - /Em - - - /F# - - - /