Hey Friend,

First off, let me say that if you don't hear from me over the next few days, it's because we don't have any power. With Hurricane Matthew bearing down on us, we don't really know what to expect. All the news outlets are playing up on the potential disaster and that has us freaking out a bit, so hopefully it's not as bad as they're predicting. 

Of course, Murphy is an old friend and sure to show up waving his Laws in the air and causing all sorts of mischief (you know, Murphy's Law - if it can go wrong, it will!).

Bastard!

Anyway, if things go silent, that's why...

Yesterday, we reviewed a few things about the G major chord. Today, let's continue on with the review and look at the G major barre chords. 

Remember, there are two basic barre chord shapes; one is based on the open E major shape, and the other is based on A major. They're both second inversion chords, which means the note order when you play them is 5 1 3. G major looks like this: D G B

Since we're talking about barre chords, the G major barre chord has the following notes you strum: G D G B D G or G D G B D, depending on where you are rooted.

I call the E major shape barre chord a Root 6 barre chord because it is rooted on the sixth string. When you play it, the note you are fretting on the sixth string is the tonic of the chord and consequently the naming note of the chord. Barre the strings at the sixth string, eighth fret and you have a C major barre chord. Barre it at the twelfth and you have E major.

The A major shape I call a Root 5 barre chord. Can you guess why? 

That's right, the root note of the chord is found on the fifth string. Want a D major chord? Barre the first five strings at the fifth fret and add the A shape on the second, third and fourth strings. Voila! D major barre chord.

You can find a root 6 G major barre chord at the third fret. Again, barre all six strings at the third fret and use the E major shape above the barre. 

The root 5 version of G major is found at the tenth fret. Barre the first five strings (one through five) and add the A shape above the barre. Check out the exercise files for the visual.

Let me know if you have any questions. We'll get rolling into new material soon enough, so be sure to review these chords if you've seen it all before. You really can't practice these too much.

Even when you can play them in your sleep, if you listen close enough, there are still things you can do to improve how your playing of the chord sounds. Maybe one of the notes gets a little muted by a finger or doesn't ring out clear enough. Or your barre doesn't fully depress the strings.

There's always something we can do to improve even the things we know well. It just takes a little more critical listening and attention.

If you're in the path of Hurricane Matthew, let's hope we get through with minor issues. Right now, I'm going hunting for a gas station that still has some gasoline available...

Peace~

Dave