Developing Your Finger One Barre

Covering more than one string with the same finger.

Published: 05 Jul 2013 Updated: 02 Dec 2021Visits: 3Code: UL08-barre-4

Category: TechniqueInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Chords • Intermediate • Technique • Advanced • Gymnastics • Barre

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Developing Your Finger One Barre


The ability to place a single finger across more than one string, a “barre” is an essential technique for chords as well single notes and double stops.

One point to keep in mind when barring multiple strings, even on ukulele, is to not to barre more strings than needed. I see this all the time with the Bb chord at fret one, where players will have thrir first finger across all four string with finger one when it is only need to play strings one and two.

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Notice the finger is rolled up onto the fret, right behind the side facing the nut / headstock. This position is more of a pinching the string between the fret and your finger than a lot of effort pressing.

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Developing Your Finger One Barre…

A goal of a barre it to multiple notes, in the same fret that are not being handled by another finger on a subsequent higher fret. Bottom line is in most situations there is no need to barre more strings that you need to.

A D7 barre form chord..

Two Strings Barre.

Three Strings Barre

All Four Strings Barre

A note regarding these photos is to show the barre and I'm actually also showing BAD chord fingering technique. All your fingerings should be over the strings in position and ready you go. Fingers are curled and out of the way for the photo. I tell my private students to keep their fingertip pointing to the strings and over the current strings.

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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Videos

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Barre Chords

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

A barre allows you to transpose any open position chord to other keys along the fingerboard by re-fingering the open position chord to allow finger one, the index finger free to play the open strings when the transposed along the fingerboard to other keys.

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Ukulele Gymnastics series contains quite a few lessons for developing your finger strength and independence of the fretting hand. The fretting hand is responsible for playing chords and single notes. The fretting hand and plucking hand are responsible for getting the music out.

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Switching chords are all about finger independence and working together. This can be developed using the "double stop"  fingering drills presented in this lesson. A "double stop" is a term borrowed from violin technique where you are stopping two strings or two notes - an interval.

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