Barre Chords vs Open Chords - Which to Use?

[@OneGuitarist]

So, do YOU have a preference? Or, does that depend on the song or style of music?

[@michaelmace9712]

I honestly love every kind of chord. I spend an awful lot of time trying different finger placement, voicings, partial barres, whatever pops into my head. Chords drew me into guitar playing as a kid, and they’re still my favorite part.

[@OneGuitarist]

It's like having several different recipes for the same dish. Each creates the same plate, but with different spices and flavors.

[@RamirezVB]

Thank you! I have been wondering this as a new guitar learner. I see a cover song tutorial say use E major 7, but the way the person is showing it looks very different than in my book.

[@kaitlynpaige2692]

You’re a great teacher! I’m self taught on guitar and I’ve been having trouble playing bar chords but this has helped so much :)

[@fourstories9645]

Very helpful! I love this. Thanks for the great video!

[@OneGuitarist]

Thanks!

[@ArtsyCupcake]

You are a great teacher! I like all the chords!

[@OneGuitarist]

Thanks for the kind words! I'd like to hear you play more!

[@detailaurented]

So good at explaining 👌🏼

[@OneGuitarist]

Thanks! You have no idea how much editing I do to get it to even this point :)

[@PlotsVoice]

Cool video! I like to experiment with different tunings with these chords as well. Always a learning process. Thanks for sharing!

[@OneGuitarist]

Same here, especially on acoustic. I like lifting a finger off and there there and leaving a string or two open, depending on what key you're playing in and how that fits with the music you're playing. I have some original music I recorded years ago, never made notes, but would just make up tunings, sometimes use a capo on them, and (like usual) will play a lot of chord shapes up the neck while also using open strings. Pretty tough trying to figure out how to play those again . :)

[@IBlack04]

It's 3am. Sleep vs guitar theory... here I am!

[@OneGuitarist]

Awesome! Wait until I get into extended chords and alt tunings :) On a short note: play an E major open chord, then slide that shape up two frets. Now do that same with the following open chord shapes: A major, C major, D major.

[@IBlack04]

@@OneGuitarist Extended chords is an exciting prospect - I look forward to that. F#, B, D, E? If it's barre chords you want, I've got 'em in spades, and the side-of-finger callus to prove it :P My 'spare' guitar is tuned in DADGAD, do you plan to touch on that? I love the sound (more room in the bass and a mysterious air) but quickly ran out of ideas to play.

[@IBlack04]

@@OneGuitarist Oh, also, I've known about the 'CAGED' system for a while and gotten used to the idea. But I wonder: does anyone use G-shaped barre chords? You didn't mention them, I've never used them, and I don't recall seeing them used or advised. D-shapes are also relatively uncommon (I think there's one in the intro to Boy With The Thorn In His Side), and C-shaped barres are madness, though technically it happens in Under The Bridge. But you don't really need to barre that one, and Frusciante never barres anything anyway, it's all thumbs with him.

[@OneGuitarist]

​@@IBlack04 Awesome! I like sliding the bottom parts of the E major barre chord around (F#, A, B, C) but keeping the opt strings open and finding a way to blend that in. The A to B progression in this shape is 'No Excuses" by Alice in Chains (who I opened up for ages ago). DADGAD is great! Andy McKee uses that on more than a few songs, and a lot of Irish music uses that tuning (I love Irish music). Also, during the late 90s when I was getting out of touring and settling down, I was using a lot of alt tunings and even even making up tunings at that point. I also like capos (previous videos). but mixing random alt tunings with random capo settings, and trying to figure those out many years later = no way! (for me) Please let me know what you might like me to touch on, in the meantime!

[@OneGuitarist]

@@IBlack04 I use those G-shape barre chords. Not often! But I do at times. I also use the C shape barre chord and others at times. It depends on the songs, the track I'm playing on, or the sound I'm trying to get. I don't use my thumbs a "lot" when I'm doing chords because I really have "had to". BUT.... I want to start doing that more just to open things up and have other options.

[@TheSixStringCorner]

Nice video! Happy Vlogmas!

[@OneGuitarist]

Thanks! Same to you!

[@mougabo]

so at the end i left with the same question i came in, lol "why playing one or the other!!!!!???"

[@helpinghand123]

Play what you are comfortable with. Or what's close to the previous chord you are playing. 😊

[@Playsinvain]

Teacher asks Billy, “what’s the difference between three apples and two?” That’s what I say, Teach, wtf’s the difference?

[@popselias]

At .49 you said those 2 open chords don't sound bad... I'm a singer reliant on guitar players, those two open chords sound good... it's like a drop of rain in water that ripples out

[@18ashfaqahsan2]

Used to hate barre chords. Now i prefer barre over open.

[@Peaceful_Days]

Ha, I actually use all open chord shapes as bar chords, not only E and A. Bar chords are good for playing reggae.

[@stavros693000]

for me doing a bar for F is easier than open F.

[@thomasmartin1514]

in that case, do you find open c hard as well?

[@helpinghand123]

@@thomasmartin1514 for me, yes. Barred c and f are easier than the open chords for me now, especially when the song includes more than one or two (regular) barre chords.

[@mine_all_the_time0793]

They aren't necessary, I never found them hard to learn but they didn't help me play songs any better. I only use the b's & f's now. I get it if you're a "working musician" but I'm not, I just like playing my favorite tunes. Don't need barre chords for that