8 Songs That Teach You Barre Chords Fast
Barre chords are one of the most important skills any guitarist can develop. They open up the entire fretboard, allow us to play in different keys, develop our finger strength to further develop other techniques; and form the foundation for a lot of pop, rock, indie, country, and blues songs. But for many players; barre chords can feel like the biggest hurdle in their playing career; where progress slows, frustration builds, and in some cases, even give up. The strength, control, and stamina required to play barre chords with confidence does not come overnight. As great as exercises may be; there is no better substitute for mastering barre chords than learning songs that feature them. Here are 8 songs that will help you master one of the biggest crossroads you will encounter as a player.
1. ‘Creep’ - Radiohead
I first started to learn barre chords in the late nineties, a time where indie ruled the British airwaves. As much as I love the genre now, I really didn’t want to learn songs in the genre. I was a rock and metal guy! However, the knock on effect of learning indie songs gave a massive boost to my barre chord confidence and subsequent finger strength.
One of the songs I was taught was ‘Creep’ by Radiohead, a perfect track for dipping your toe into the mechanics of barre chords. At its core, the song is centred around four chords: G, B, C, and Cm. One of the reasons this is particularly effective for advancing players is that we can play all of them as barre chords, only one, or a mixture. G and C can be played open, and we can substitute the B for an open position B7, leaving the Cm as our essential barre chord. The repetitive progression will help reinforce strength and muscle memory, while exposing any weakness in clarity as we change positions.
2. ‘Where Is My Mind?’ - The Pixies
Like ‘Creep’; ‘Where Is My Mind?’ can be performed with all barre chords or only a couple, depending on your skill and confidence level. Based around E, C#m, G# and A chords; this song is ideal for focusing on shifting chords while ensuring only the amount of pressure needed to properly execute barre chords is required.
Any extra pressure will cause hand fatigue, slower movement between changes, and in extreme cases will force the intonation to be pushed sharp.
3. ‘Wicked Game’ - Chris Isaak
If your goal is better tone and consistency, ‘Wicked Game’ is essential. With its slow tempo and only one required barre chord, it gives you time to focus on accuracy.
Comprised of one bar of Bm, one bar A, and two bars of E; I suggest strumming only on beat one of every change, giving us 2 bars to change from E back to Bm. Once comfortable; start to introduce more eighth note strumming with a relaxed feel to master those Bm chord changes.
4. ‘If You Tolerate This’ - Manic Street Preachers
For a teenage me, this was the perfect song to help master the elusive first position F major barre chord. Like ‘Wicked Game’; ‘If You Tolerate This’ has a relatively slow tempo and only one essential barre chord, one which can also be played without barring.
So, if you feel confident performing the song without barre chords, one little tweak will help develop the strength required to barre the B and high E strings. As you’re playing, listen out for the clarity of those high strings, ensuring the non-barring fingers are wrapped around enough for 100% note clarity.
5. ‘Hotel California’ - Eagles
A classic track for many reasons. ‘Hotel California’ has become to stuff of barre chord legend, and a right of passage for any player serious in developing their chord knowledge and rhythm chops.
Essential for connecting different barre chord shapes together, but can be played with only two essential barre chords: Bm and F#. Practise changing between these two chords to develop finger strength and dexterity, transitions, and clarity.
6. ‘Hey Joe’ - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
‘Hey Joe’ is a staple for developing chord fluency. Perfect for beginners wanting to develop open chord changes, but also ideal for those looking to expand their chord knowledge and development. Comprised of C, G, D, A, and E chords; although simple on the surface, the song can be performed with any combination of open and barre chords suited to your confidence and skill level.
The barre chords can be performed with a single shape moved up and down the neck to help facilitate quick movement and fretting accuracy; or they can be played with a mixture of CAGED positions to help you learn and master multiple barre chord shapes. A great song for an intermediate to advanced player to test their CAGED knowledge in different areas of the fretboard.
7. ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay’ - Otis Redding
This laid back soul classic is ideal for working on barre chords in a more relaxed musical setting; ensuring barre chords changes are smooth without sounding forced, immediately highlighting any weakness in chord clarity.
The groove encourages you to focus on timing and precision; whilst also tightening up any unwanted string noise during chord changes. Another reminder that although a song may appear simple on the surface; to sound professional, every chord change needs to be precise and musically fluent.
8. ‘Help’ - The Beatles
‘Help’ blends traditional open chord shapes with barre chord shapes essential to the entire Beatles back catalogue. Although it sounds simple on the surface; ‘Help’ incorporates faster barre chord changes than expected, especially when incorporating eighth note strumming patterns.
As well as helping develop barre chord mastery, the song will assist in strengthening overall chord knowledge around the fretboard, while building speed and rhythmic consistency.
As any player will tell you, barre chords do not come easily, but they are worth the effort. The strength and dexterity required to play a song with barre chords with fluency, consistent tone, and confidence takes time.
Although practising individual changes has its place, having songs to assist mastering your barre chord knowledge and command is simply more enjoyable. Try to play along to your favourite songs as soon as possible, even if it’s just one strum per chord change to give you time to think and perfect your finger placement.
With time, you will be playing along with your favourite rhythm guitar heroes, and gain much needed confidence and knowledge needed to jam with others, and maybe write your own songs that future generations will be practising their barre chords to. Happy practising!
By Rich Shaw
Richard is most well known as the guitarist and co-songwriter for UK metal band, Cradle of Filth, from 2014 until 2022. He has contributed three guest solos for US symphonic rock outfit, Lost Symphony, appearing alongside Nuno Bettencourt, Marty Friedman, Alex Skolnick, Angel Vivaldi, and Kelly Kereliuk. Richard is currently the recording and touring guitarist with UK rock giants 'Inglorious'.