This shape is derived just like the E-shape barre chord shown above: by taking a chord (E minor this time, instead of E major), re-fingering it, moving it to a different fret, and adding a 1st-finger barre. This will give you a minor chord named for the 6th-string note at whatever fret you play it on. So, for example, if you play it on the 1st fret, you’ll get an F minor chord.

The E-minor barre shape can be a little harder to play cleanly because your 1st finger is now responsible for playing notes on three strings: the 6th, 1st, and now 3rd strings (since your 2nd finger is no longer playing on the 3rd string). This note on the 3rd string is usually harder to play well because it’s right in the middle of your 1st finger. It’s not so easy to press down hard on that part of your finger; plus, the joint under your main knuckle often winds up in that spot, which makes it even harder. This is one of the reasons I suggested above that you focus on pressing down with the middle of your finger when making a barre.

However, it’s important that you do get this note to ring out clearly because it’s the note that gives the chord its minor sound. (Specifically, it’s the “minor 3rd” note of the chord, which you can read about in the lesson on triads.)

5-String Barre Chords

These chord shapes use only five strings–the 6th string is not played. (Technically, you can also include the 6th string, but that’s a variation, as you’ll see below.) Like the 6-string barre chords, they tend to have a full sound, but not as full, since the low notes of the 6th string are not included.

A-Shape Barre Chord

With this chord, you take an open A major chord and play all three notes using a barre with your 3rd finger. Then you slide that shape up to whatever fret you want and play another barre with your 1st finger to cover the open 1st and 5th strings. Check out the lesson on how to play a B major chord for more details about this.