[LooPbacK]

Ok...the problem is that I don't know witch is the correct way to play a bar chord...i mean how to put your fingers on the fretboard...
For example, i hold an B chord like this:
1
2
3
4
1
x
i've seen bar chords played with the thumb and bar chords played such as power chords...
1-index
2-middle
3-ring
4-pinky

[fatboy1]

i would hold a b like this

1
3
3
3
1
x

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

The answer is the way that sounds right. If you can play it and have all the right notes ringing clear and you find it easy to do, then who is to say you are using the wrong technique? I often play an A shaped bar chord with just my index and pinky, barring the D, G and B strings with the pinky and muting the high E string. It's not the "correct" technique, but it works.

[dadfad]

Like Graeme said, whatever sounds best and feels best IS best. There are no "rules." In guitar.... (get ready)..... (drum-roll).....(here it comes)....

"Roolz are for foolz."

(Like that? Kind of catchy!) Anyway....

Whatever sounds best and works best for you is the right way. I personally use my thumb alot for barre-chords. Not always, but alot. Depends where I'm coming from or going to or which strings I want to be most prominant and other things. Here's a quote from an old topic that might help too.

Playing Barre Chords

Barre-chords can be difficult at first. You should practice until you can do them well, however one thing to keep in mind. Generally speaking a tune does not require a complete six-string barred chord. More often either the bass half or the treble half of the full-neck chord is all that is needed. If thats the case, you can concentrate more easily on playing just that partial barre, like this (I'll use an F#).......

2443XX (bassier) or XX4322 (treblier) for example.


As partials they can be more easily made. The first bassier one by using the fingers or (the way I'd prefer) using your thumb to hold the six-string note (believe me, it might seem awkward at first but it becomes easy very quickly, and you don't need large hands either), and then the fingers holding the E-chord-shaped part with it. For the more trelby chord, just use the index to bar only the one and two strings and the other fingers to make the E-shape with it. Like I said, you should learn to make full barres for when they are needed but they often aren't. And little tricks like learning to use the thumb can make them much easier. Actually the full bar can be played and held like this using the thumb...

244322
TRPMII

Hope that helps a little.

[k1llahd]

I love using my thumb for bar chords too. It just feels so cool to play that way sometimes and it can be really liberating for the other fingers.

But I have such short stubby fingers, and my thumb is very straight and inflexible, I have problems with it sometimes, and some chords that require the involvement of the thumb are impossible for me.

The chords I really hate are the ones where you have to barre like the 4th and 5th string and then on the 3rd you have to play a note 2 frets lower.

[SmoothD]

I love using my thumb for bar chords too.  It just feels so cool to play that way sometimes and it can be really liberating for the other fingers.

  But I have such short stubby fingers, and my thumb is very straight and inflexible, I have problems with it sometimes, and some chords that require the involvement of the thumb are impossible for me.

The chords I really hate are the ones where you have to barre like the 4th and 5th string and then on the 3rd you have to play a note 2 frets lower.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can you touch the crease at the bottom of your little finger with you thumb? And does your top thumb joint bend at least 60 to 80 degrees? If so, you are far from inflexible and it will just take some time to coordinate the movements! Hang in there and just like holding your barre chords, the thumb coordination will improve!
At least it happened for me!

D

[Mikky04]

i would hold a b like this

1
3
3
3
1
x

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

uuhhh...
I'd hold it like this:

2
4
4
4
2
2

wrong?

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

You're right, Mikky. What fatboy was holding would be a Bb.

[Mikky04]

go raibh mile!
oh sorry ......Irish

[Illude]

It's not like there's one type of bar chord. There's minors, majors, sevenths, fifths, augments, diminished...

Your fingers will work out their own transitions and comfortable positions to hold these chords. Practice and patience