G Major Barre Chord

The G Major Barre Chord shouldn't be much of an obstacle once you have mastered the previous chords we have taught you already. Also, once you will notice once you have mastered the barre chords is that your guitar playing will improve greatly.

Many are simply unable to finger the major G shape chord. That's no problem - it's rarely used, but learning how to play it and getting it done will give you a very large versatility and chord vocabulary.

When it comes to the basic major G shape chord, you need to form that familiar open G shape but this time your index finger is occupied with the barre (where the nut would be with the open G shape). This leaves your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers to form the rest of the shape.

Even though the main root note is already fretted with your 3rd finger (not your barred finger, like with the E and A shapes), it's useful to get into the habit of barring your index finger across all 6 strings. This way, you'll be able to add pull-offs and 'catch' them with your barred finger.

An exercise for the G major bar chord is to strum that chord for about 4 measures. Without stopping switch to a C major bar chord (root on the 3rd fret on the A string). Again, strum for 4 measures. Without stopping strum the A flat major bar chord (root on 4th fret of low E string). Next the D flat major bar chord (root on 4th fret of A string). Continue up the fret board in this manner. Take a rest and start over again but this time play the minor versions of the chords. Next mix it up. Start with the major chord then the chord is minor, next major, etc.

Play different patterns and combinations of major, minor, 7th. Shorten the strum time on each chord and go faster and faster. This will help you to switch quickly between chords.