I got this little email the other day from Don, who has purchased a number of my courses…
“The “Romanza” lesson is well under control and enjoyed. The full “Romanza” with the introduction of barring will require more practice and focus. At present I am horrible with barre chording. Have avoided barre chords like the plague. Silly on my part, but time to start learning.
I will move forward through this course to further benefit from the fundamentals review and pick up on the new tips that you always enlighten us with. I am 72 and have never enjoyed my guitar as much as I do now since taking lessons from your courses. You’re a good teacher, thanks.”
Don
Glad to hear Don has enjoyed the lessons so far.
Yes, avoiding barre chords like the plague is never a good thing.
Especially if, as I suspect, he has needed them at various points in his playing.
While I don’t encourage beginners to try barre chords too early or too much, I do encourage them to try barres for a few minutes per day with good technique using just one shape.
This takes both:
- Focus (to remind yourself to do it daily)
- Restraint (not letting yourself get too bogged down and wanting to do barre chords a lot longer).
However you learn barre chords though, the likelihood is you’ll need them at some point.
It’s like Jamie Lee Curtis’ character in Halloween.
She could avoid Michael Myers.
She could run.
She could hide.
…But at some point, she knew deep down she’d have to face him.
It’s an over-the-top comparison, I know, comparing barre chords to a made-up movie serial killer, but you get the point.
The fact is though, barre chords will pop up, trip you up, and hold you up unless you get learning them the proper way.
The best place to get cracking with them is in one of the new Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy lessons for October.
Plus, everyone who joins gets a copy of my Guitarists Get Theory book and Essential Guitar Technique book posted to your door as a free welcome gift.
Both of these books will help you understand the theory behind barres and help you perfect your basic technique – both of which are needed to master them.
Find out about the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy
Have a great day of practice!
Dan Thorpe
Guitar Domination
P.S. This post was originally taken from Dan Thorpe’s private email list. To get blog posts like this sent to you which are full of great tips to make fingerpicking, strumming, and learning guitar more enjoyable (especially if you are over 40) join Dan’s list. It’s 100% free, HERE.
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