Hey Friend,

You got the various D minor triad positions in yesterday's lesson. Today, let's look at the barre chords. 

Minor barre chords differ from their major brothers by a one fret shift. Like I pointed out earlier, that one shift is from the major third to the minor third interval. Find your 3 note and slide it down one fret.

Another thing I've pointed out before is that major barre chords use the E and A chord shapes from the CAGED system. Minor barre chords follow the same chord shapes, except they use the minor chord versions. So in the minor barre chord construction, you use either the E minor shape or the A minor.

The first two systems in the tabs give you more barre practice, so exercise "the pinch." 

The next few systems give you the progressive construction of the D minor barre chord, both as a root sixth and root five barre chord, respectively.

Now clearly, the tabs show that your index finger is only placed on either the fifth or sixth string in each version of the chord. But practically, your index finger will lay across all the strings. 

I failed to point this out before, but each chord chart at the top of the tabs shows the recommended fingering for the chord. I don't always agree with the fingering shown, and I'll try to remember to mention my suggestions as we go along. Sometimes the program doesn't allow me to make changes to the charts, sometimes it does...

For most applications, you only need to worry about that root note on the fifth or sixth string. However, there will be times when you want to hear that high note on the first string. And that's why you need to work at "the pinch."

Strengthen your index finger and thumb so you can play the barre on its own. Add the other fingers to form the various chords, but don't forget that first string. Better to get the hard work done early than to struggle with it later,

If you have access to an electric guitar, barre chords won't be as much of a struggle. The string tensions (and gauges) are lower for an electric rather than on an acoustic guitar, so the strings will be easier to push down. If all you have is an acoustic guitar, you'll have to work harder at barre chords. But you'll be laughing at all us wimps with weak fretting hands compared to you! You'll be a beast.

Tomorrow, we'll look at some chord combinations (progressions) where you might see D minor. If you're like me, you feel the slack in the chain to the j.o.b. tightening up, dragging you back to it, away from your beloved family and guitar. Have a great one, and keep it rockin'!

Peace~

Dave