Barre chords may feel challenging at first - holding down multiple strings with just one finger doesn’t feel easy! But, with a little practice, it will become second nature. We’ll start with a two-string barre, and use the Bb chord as an example.

• Begin by placing your index finger on the 1st (A) string above the first fret. Sound as clear a note as you can.

• Now, roll your finger slightly to one side, pluck the string again, and see if it is a clear note.

• Do the same using the other edge of the index finger. Was one of these positions better-sounding than the others?

Moving your index finger from side to side is a very subtle movement. You won’t move as far as the actual side of the finger, just slightly to one edge or the other.

Once you have a clear note with the 1st string, repeat the same exercise covering the 1st string (A) and the 2nd string (E) at the first fret.

You might also try pulling your index finger down slightly (towards the palm of your fretting hand) to get a better note. The pressure of pulling down can compress the strings to the fretboard and give you a nice clear note.

The next step for the Bb is to add the middle finger to the 3rd string (C) at the second fret. Play the three strings, practicing this unit of 3 strings until you can make consistently clear notes.

The last part of forming the Bb chord, adds the ring finger to the 4th string (G) at the third fret. Now, play all four strings, adjusting your finger position to get clear notes on all strings. 

A tip about forming the Bb: keep your fingers above the fret wire - not on it. The tension of the strings is strongest at the fret wire and makes pressing the string down a little more difficult. By moving the fingers to a position just barely above the fret wire, you’ll get better compression with less effort.

Barre Chord Exercises

Getting your fingers accustomed to making barre chords is a process and the progress is incremental so don’t get discouraged. All uke players go through this!

Try the following exercises every other day for a month and see if you can tell a difference in your ability to form clear barre chords.

The Waterfall

Finger position and movement:

• The index finger on the A string at the 2nd fret

• The middle finger on the E string at the 3rd fret

• The ring finger on the C string at the 4th fret

Now strum and listen to the clarity of the chord. For the next position, move each finger over one string:

• Index finger on the E string at the 2nd fret

• Middle finger on the C string at the 3rd fret

• Ring finger on the G string at the 4th fret

Now strum and listen to the clarity of the chord.

• While in this second position lean the index finger back so that it lays down on the A and E strings.

• Pull back and down into the palm of your hand.

• Strum.

Again, you are listening for the clarity of the chord. If you hear buzzing that’s okay, it will take time to develop finger strength. Keep trying!

Four-String Barre Block

Finger position and movement:

• Place the index finger across all the strings at the 5th fret (there is less string tension at the 5th so it is a good place to begin working on a full barre).

• Press firmly into the fingerboard and strum.

If you hear buzzes try adjusting your finger position.

• You could move the finger forward towards your face or backwards toward the floor. The idea is the let the string fall on the fleshy part of the finger or the finger bone and not the finger crease.

• You could try placing the middle finger on top of the index finger for added pressure on this type of barre.

• You could adjust the finger – just slightly- from side to side to find the best compression spot.

Move the finger barre from the 5th fret to the 7th fret and then down to the 2nd fret.

Repeat this exercise a few times and then rest!

Full Barre Plus Three

Once you can make a clear full-barre chord with the previous exercise, it is time to add the other fingers. Most barre chords use multiple fingers – not just the index making a barre.

Finger position and movement:

• Place your index across the strings at the 5th fret as in the previous exercise.

• Place the middle, ring, and pinky one at a time on the A string, strumming with each finger placement.

  • Middle finger on the 6th fret of the A string, strum

  • Ring finger on the 7th fret of the A string, strum

  • Pinky finger on the 8th fret of the A string, strum

You are listening for a clear tone each time on the A string.

Perform this exercise at the 2nd fret and the 7th fret using the three frets above the barred fret on the A string as you did with the 5th fret.

Using the A string for a melody line is common and this exercise helps prepare your fingers to sound the melody on the A string while holding the barre.

Full Barre G Shape

Place the index finger over all the strings at the 2nd fret. This time, we will form a Barre G chord and use that form to work up the neck to the 7th fret.

Finger position and movement:

• Place the index finger across all the strings at the 2nd fret

• Place the middle finger on the E string at the 3rd fret

• Place the ring finger on the G string at the 4th fret

• Strum, listening for clear tones across the barre. Then repeat the exercise on the 5th and 7th frets.

Work on these exercises for a full month - just 5 or 10 minutes at a time as part of your regular practice session. You’ll find barre chords get easier and easier with just this little bit of consistent practice!