trouble with barre chords

[Yngiewannabe]

I can´t make the third string ring when I am playing minor barre chords.
what should I do????

[cyberfret]

That is the #1 trouble spot for this chord.

a) use the outside edge of your first finger. It is a harder surface to press with since in is more the bone of your finger.

b) overlap your first fingers slightly above the neck...and make sure that your first fingers is straight.

--Shawn

[Yngiewannabe]

Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!
but my thumb and first finger are in real pain.
is ti common????
what should I do????

[Riffer]

Hey man, don't worry I had the same problems with that when I first started. You just got to keep practicing and practicing it and you'll eventually get the hang of it. The only advise I can give to you is alot of people tend to barre the strings with their 1st finger WAYY too hard and it creates pain. Don't put too much strain on your fingers trying to do it, and good luck man!

[Yngiewannabe]

thanks for the suggestion but I think i can´t do it man.
even if I hold de string strongly y cant make them all sound right

[Coffee]

Relax. Practice barres for a few minutes each day. Your hand will eventually gain strength and suddenly it will work. Until then enjoy it. Even just fingering the chord without playing it and without pressing the strings down will help your hand to know where you want it and will get that all important muscle memory working for you. Sounds stupid but it works. Also the hand being relaxed will go a long way to being able to do it right in the future. Pain? If it's like a muscle burn it's okay. If it's pain because your doing it wrong well... Make sure your thumb is in the center of the neck and that your guitar is not held too low. Holding the guitar neck too low in your left hand will put your wrist at an unbearable angle. Sit up or stand up with a strap and make sure your thumb is right.

It took me several weeks when I learned them.