Unleash Your Inner Rockstar: Mastering the Art of 5th String Barre and Power Chords

Sure, let’s jump right into the magical world of fifth string bar chords. Bar chords are a fundamental part of guitar playing and if you’re comfortable with your six string bar chords, it’s high time to dive into the next level – the fifth string bar chords. If you’re not already familiar with the six string version, I’d suggest going over those first because understand them is going to help tremendously when tackling the fifth string counterparts.

To start with, fifth string bar chords are constructed around the A major and A minor chords. You heard me right! What we’re really doing is taking these basic chords and moving them up and down the neck of the guitar, more or less in the same way we did with the E-based six string bar chords. So, let’s start from the beginning and I promise to take it slow.

When we want to play fifth string bar chords, we use the A major chord without utilizing the first finger. This first finger is going to serve as our built-in capo while we traverse the fretboard. Now, I want you to picture doing this with only three fingers, leaving a space available on the first fret. The trick is to take these three fingers, move them up a fret, and bar the bottom five strings with your first finger.

You may ask why I leave the sixth string out? Good question, we typically don’t play the sixth string because we’re keeping the root on top. If accidently, or by design, you end up adding in the sixth string, that’s okay too, it’ll just give a thicker sound.

As with the sixth, when you’re playing an A chord on the fifth string, the note is A as well. By moving up one fret and barring, we’re playing a B flat chord in which the note is B flat or A sharp. This forms our A major chord as a bar chord.

As we journey through fifth string bar chords, there’s a hitch you might run into. When we are using these three fingers in one fret while moving up the guitar, it becomes quite a squeeze to fit all three fingers in there, especially if you have big fingers. To circumvent this, we use our third finger and press down on the second, third and fourth strings together – creating a small
Building on the foundation of six string bar chords, let’s explore the sound capability of the second string, and its effects on the pitch of our chords. This second string holds the secret between our two favorite chord friends – Major and Minor. But before we plunge right into that, remember that mastering your six-string bar chords is essential before you start toying around with the fifth string bar chords. If you haven’t brushed up on your six-string chords, there’s a handy video in the description below that will help you out.

To unlock the mysteries of the fifth string bar chords, I’m going to walk you through some techniques using the A Major and A minor chords. These two, when utilized skillfully, create melodious tunes that reverberate through the pulsating guitar strings.

When I play the A Major chord, it doesn’t require my first finger. Why? Because my first finger is metamorphosing into an excellent built-in capo! Now, with the remaining three fingers, there’s a vacant space, right? We play with this space, move the three fingers one fret ahead, and bar the bottom five strings with the all-rounder first finger.

Just as when you play an A major chord the traditional way, when playing fifth string bar chords, you want to touch the bottom five strings. Remember, strumming the sixth string might accidentally happen, and that’s fine. It will simply give a thicker, fuller sound.

As with the celebrated sixth string, in the fifth string, the A chord’s note is A. If you move up one fret and bar, we magically have a B flat chord in which the note is B flat or A sharp. Consequently, we have formed our A major chord into a bar chord. Such flexibility, right?

But, as with any good thing, there’s a catch. The moment we start moving up the guitar while using these three fingers in one fret, squeezing the three fingers into the tight space, especially those with larger fingers, becomes a considerable challenge. As a workaround, we resort to using our third finger and press down on the second, third, and fourth strings together while relying on the first finger to do the heavy lifting across the bottom five strings.

The beauty of this technique is the convenience that it offers. It allows one to skillfully and quickly move up the frets without the unnecessary hassle. But let’s address a common issue – the sound of the first string might not be what you desire. If it happens, do not worry. It’s not a necessary string for the chord
As a guitarist, assigning importance to understanding the difference between six-string and fifth-string bar chords is essential. Starting with the six-string bar chords gives you a sturdy foundation for journeying into the realm of the fifth string. Learning the one without having a grip on the other might lead to gaps in your understanding. It’s like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle without having all the pieces.

Now, stepping into the world of fifth-string bar chords is a creative adventure. The A Major and its close cousin – A minor are the keys to unlock this intriguing world. If we look back at how we dealt with the six-string bar chords with the E chords, we’re using a similar approach here too.

Creating the A Major chord on the fifth string might seem a little different. You make this normally using three fingers, but remember, our first finger is our built-in capo. So, it’s about shifting those three fingers up one fret and then use our first finger to bar across the bottom five strings. While playing this way, the sixth string might accidentally get a hit occasionally, but don’t worry, it will make your chords sound thicker.

The significant change happens when we start moving up the frets of the guitar. Packing the three fingers into one fret becomes a challenge, especially for those with larger fingers. Here comes the savior – the third finger, that acts like a mini capo and presses down on the second, third, and fourth strings together. Your first finger, the hero of the story, continues to bar across the bottom five strings.

In this journey, the roadblocks we encounter often are a result of the physical variations of our fingers. The first string might not make the sound you wish to hear, and this is absolutely normal. Remember, it’s not paramount for the chord voicing that the first string works. But what we really want is the second string – the note that defines the sound of that chord being major or minor.

Now, as we become veterans of six-string chords and are confidently marching into the fifth-string chords, remember to cross-reference them. You should be able to find any chord, be it C-major, G-major, or F-sharp minor, on the sixth as well as the fifth string, and that too, swiftly.

Once you’ve ac

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Further nourish your knowledge with my in-depth articles on Chords and Progressions. Pair this with my expert tips on Strumming and Picking Techniques to bring a new dimension to your guitar playing skills.