A Shape Barre Chords: Minor

How to Play A Shape Minor Barre Chords

Let's take a look at the diagram below showing a G Chord. You should be familiar with it:

Our Finger 1 needs to mute String 6 like we did for the Major Chords, but you shouldn't find that tricky now. The barre has slightly more work to do as it needs to press down String 5 and 1 - but you can do it!

Some of you may say this is a little weird, and I get it - they look very similar! But always remember that the B String is the troublemaker. Anytime you move any chord shape down a string, anything that touches the B String moves up a fret. It's the only difference between the Major and Minor Chords! It's that one.

💡 Always remember the visual pattern! When the root note is on the thickest string, it's a Major Shape. When the root note is on the fifth string, it becomes a Minor Shape!

The barre has to do more work playing the A Minor grip than it does when playing the Major grip because we must play the String 5 and the thinner string and mute the thickest string. Muting the thickest string is essential!

Exercises

Here are the exercises I recommend you do to learn how to play A Minor Shape Barre Chords! 

Exercise #1

The first exercise will be jumping from the G Major to the C Minor. Your goal is to get used to that pattern! You shouldn't find this exercise too difficult, as this isn't a difficult chord shape.

1️⃣ Exercise #1. Follow these steps:

1. Remove your hand from the fretboard;
    

2. Get an A Shape Minor Chord down as fast as you can;
    

3. Check if all the notes ring out well;
    

4. Repeat.

Exercise #2

The second exercise is the 3-Chord Trick we did when learning the Major Shape, but now with all Minor Shapes. You'll start with a G Minor Chord, move down to a C Minor, up two frets to a D Minor, then back to C. This is a really common kind of minor chord progression. A nice one to practice!

2️⃣ Exercise #2. Follow these steps:

1. Play the G Minor Chord using the E Shape;
    

2. Play the C Minor Chord using the A Shape;
    

3. Shift the shape up two frets to play the D Minor Chord using the A Shape. Remember to relax the pressure on the strings but maintain the shape as you move it up two frets;
    

4. Shift it back two frets (remembering all the above) to play C Minor Chord;
    

5. Repeat. A lot!

Remember that your barre has got a bit more work to do now, as you've got to get that note there for the G Minor! You want to keep the shape relaxed, particularly with the shift from C to D. Move all the fingers up, press them down, and play. You shouldn't drag your fingers around! If you hold the pressure like that, they all get mangled and fall into the wrong spot. So, you want to relax the shape so there's no pressure on the strings, but the fingers are still in contact with them. Then, you slide it back.

Exercise #3

The third exercise to improve your A Minor Shape grip is transitioning from an open chord to this barre chord. A common one is transitioning from an A Minor Chord to a B Minor chord. This chord change requires a big jump and a different hand shape. When transitioning back to the open chord, you may find it challenging as the whole shape of your hand changes. Learning this chord can be difficult for most people when starting their journey, but you can do it!

💡 Another variation is transitioning from a C Major Chord to a C Minor Chord. This progression usually goes to a G Chord, and it's a classic The Beatles chord progression.

2️⃣ Exercise #3. Follow these steps:

1. Play the Open A Minor Chord;
    

2. Play the B Minor Chord using the A Shape;
    

3. Repeat as many times as you can in One Minute. Keep track of it;
    

4. If you get bored - choose other open and barre chords!

Songs Practice

As well as doing practice exercises, you should look for songs that use the A-Shaped Major and Minor chords. Traffic in the Sky by Jack Johnson is a great example and a real test to ensure that you've got every note in every chord shape ringing out nicely!

💬 Do you know other songs to practice your A Shape Barre Chords - Major and Minor? Join the Discussion and let me know. :)