There are actually two ways to play the A barre chord, and here, we will learn those two ways. Remember the two basic chord shapes – the E shape chord and the A shape chord – because these will form the basis of the two ways to play the A major barre chord.
The A Barre Chord 101 - A Major Barre Chord Using the E shape
In playing the A barre chord using the E shape, these are the steps to be followed:
Step 1: Bar your first finger across all the strings on the fifth fret. Test each string by picking to make sure that each note sounds clearly.
Step 2: The next step to forming the A barre chord is to make the E shape. Use your second, third, and fourth fingers to make the E shape – place the second finger on third string, sixth fret; while the third and fourth fingers are to be placed on the fifth and fourth strings on the seventh fret.
Step 3: You’re almost ready to play the A barre chord in the E shape! You just have to put steps one and two together – once you have your bar firmly in place on the fifth fret, form the E shape chord after that. When all of your fingers are in their proper positions, pick each string so that you will hear each note if they all sound clear.
The A Barre Chord 101 – A Major Barre Chord Using the A shape
To play the A barre chord using the A shape, follow these steps:
Step 1: Bar your first finger across the first to the fifth strings on the 12th fret. Remember that when using the A shape variation, the sixth string is not to be played.
Tip: So that you don’t have to keep worrying about the sixth string ringing out when you play the A barre chord, you can try this little secret: very lightly touch the tip of your bar finger on the sixth string, so that it will no longer sound even when played.
Step 2: Now you have to make the A shape with the rest of your fingers. Remember that you have two options in forming the A shape for the A barre chord – one is to put your second, third, and fourth fingers on the second, third, and fourth strings on the 14th fret. Another way is to bar your third finger across all three strings.
Tip: Since at this part of the guitar fingerboard, the frets are already much narrower, it is a lot easier to just bar your third finger across the three strings instead of using your second, third, and fourth fingers to form the A shape.
Step 3: It’s time to put steps one and two together for you to be able to play the A barre chord in A shape. Once you have your bar finger in place (remember to lightly touch the sixth string so that it will be muted), make the A shape in the 14th fret in any of the two ways we previously discussed.
The A Barre Chord 101 - Common Problems in both E and A shape:
For both these chord shapes used in playing the A barre chord, a common problem encountered is the barring itself. Many beginners are not yet used to barring, so they may have difficulty in pressing down on the strings, and aside from this, a lot of beginners will find that barring will hurt their fingers. Another problem is when the fourth finger overlaps onto another string and causes that note to sound muted.
Tips/Solutions: One way to overcome the pain that comes with barring is to slightly roll your bar finger so that the outer edge is pressing down on the strings instead of the soft part of the finger. As for the muted sound caused by the overlapping of the fourth finger on another string, roll your wrist slightly downward, or until your fourth finger is lifted up a bit and is no longer pressing down on another string.
There you have it! Get your guitar and start practicing the A barre chord!