How can I hold a barre chord for a long period of time?

Question

I don't know if there is a special word for this playing style - I do it like this: I take a barre and I play all single notes along - if I need a chord I just keep the barre and press all needed fingers down on the fretboard and I strum along. If I play a solo I get off the barre and I play with my index-, middle- and ringfinger. Arp's does not sound very clean with this finger technique so I thought I switch to the barre again - but after a while my finger and hands start to hurt and I do stop playing (because of the pain :]).

So my question: Is this style of playing a guitar a good way? What can I improve to have less pain and more endurance?

Thank you!

Answer 1

I would tend to use a barre only when playing the chord. Sometimes it can add speed when you know you will need to play a solo that uses the barre, but the reason you are ending up sore is that you are working your wrist/fingers/thumb to exhaustion. In time they will get stronger, but I would say it sounds like you are overusing the barre.

Try using it less - only when you need to - and see how you feel.

Answer 2

Mike

If your fretting hand is hurting every time you play you may need to adjust your technique a little. It sounds like you may be over doing the barre. Barre chords are great as is playing melody over chords such as classics like little wing etc. But possibly not all the time. Also if your barring for single note lines you could end up with a lot of unwanted background noise.

I would work on your fretting hand technique a little. Your thumb ideally needs to be about two thirds up the back of the neck and between the first and second fingers. Dont squeeze to hard, just enough to fret the notes ad try and use your fingertips to fret the notes. Over squeezing will slow you down and inhibit finger movement. It may feel a bit wierd to play like this at first but you get used to it. Avoid any tight angles in your fretting hand, wrist, and elbow and keep your shoulder relaxed.

As for endurance. Ive been playing for 30 years and after a long nights teaching barre chords can still ache. Sorry for that.

Hope that helps