Simple Barre Chords: E Form
Barre Chords are one of the most significant jumps in a guitarist’s ability. They are the foundation for playing rhythm guitar parts for most pop and rock songs. We begin with learning simple E form (Root 6) barre chords. The exercises here include the opportunity to practice simple ostinatos (basic lead guitar) and improvisation. These are all skills linked to playing at this level. An explanation of the shapes, location of the notes and scales are included to help you learn.
Practicing the rhythm part:
All of these exercises are created for playing E form (Root 6) Barre chords. Choose the correct chord shape, either major or minor and then position it on the correct fret. Use the diagrams above each each exercise to help you.
Learn the ostinato:
Each exercise has been given a simple ostinato to add interest. Ostinatos are often created by playing repeated notes directly from the chords. Practice playing the ones provided to improve your understanding of this redimentary lead guitar skill.
Improvisation:
Practice improvising over each of these progressions using the simple scale shape provided in green. The for each example has been identified, simply place the square root note over the letter name indicated.
Ex 1. Use the diagrams to help you play the chords. Play the included ostinato. Use the backing track and the scale listed in green to try your hand at simple improvisation.
Ex 2.
Ex 3.
Ex 4.
Ex 5.
Ex 6.
Ex 7.
Ex 8. Let’s start with a familiar exercise to illustrate the advantages of adding A form chords. Playing Cm as an A form chord greatly reduces how far we need to travel on the fretboard.
Ex 9. The chords highlighted in blue should be played as A form chords. The other chords have their explanations listed.
Simple Barre Chords: A Form
Now we move on to adding one of the A form shapes. Adding another form will reduce the distance we need to move on the fret board. A form chords source their root notes from string 5 giving us a larger range of letter names in a small area.
Use the explanations in the blue boxes to help. E form chords are still in use but explanations have been provided so you focus on the new A form chords.
As before, take the opportunity to try the ostinatos and improvisation.
Ex 10.
Ex 11.
Ex 12.
Ex 13. Another familiar exercise, made easier by adding A form. Once we add major A form chords exercises will improve even more.
