Best way to master the B Chord? On guitar.?

Question

Practice, practice, practice. Yes, I know this, but I don't want to practice the wrong thing.

Now here's my question: When barring the 2nd fret with my index finger, should I use my other 3 fingers to cover the 3 strings on the 4th fret or try to bar that too?

The problem is with all 3 is gets cluttered, and if I bar on the 4th fret, I can't lift the middle joint of my ring finger enough to not end up muting the high e string. Sometimes I even end up muting it with the 4 finger method. I would prefer to master the double-barring method, but any tips? Let the string be muted, or what?

I know I need practice to get better at it - I'm going to keep trying for it, but all tips and advice are appreciated!

Answer 1

Either way works, whichever way is more comfortable without muting any strings.

Answer 2

There are several ways to get a B chord.

Consider: XX4447 and 799877

The first chord can be obtained by barring the first four strings and use the little finger to catch the note on the first string, seventh fret.

The second chord example is the F major formation, but played in the seventh fret.

You simply have to practice at 224442 to get your fingers just right on the fourth fret.

Another way to get this chord is to use your thumb on the sixth and the fifth strings and use the forefinger only on the first string.

Note: Xerxes' chord of O212OO is an altered B7/E chord.

Answer 3

Most people I see bar it with either one or two fingers at the 4th fret.  However, because of my hand configuration, I have never been able to get my finger (or fingers) to bend/collapse and give me a clear sound, so I use all three.  

I really think that if you can learn to use only one or two fingers, you will be more efficient.  But there is nothing wrong with using all three.  I do agree that it gets a little crowded on that fret.

Happy strumming!

Answer 4

by using  your fingers silly!

Answer 5

I bar the 4th fret with my ring finger. The reason I do that way is because well, I've never even thought of using my middle, ring, and pinky to press down on the strings. Plus, my guitar teacher didn't mention another way to play it so I'm taking his advice.

It is a barre chord, so you should use the double barre method. It only makes sense. Also doing it that way makes it much easier to switch to another barre chord (say a G7).

Answer 6

Well there's not much to say about it, it's just a chord position. Basically you have two options:

1, barre the 4th fret with your ring finger (do not use pinky here)

2, use the other three to press the strings at fourth fret

With the first one there is that problem you've described - you can't leave the e string open to the barre on 2nd fret, at best you'll just mute it. My advice: barre on the fourth fret the e string as well, but don't strum it. You don't need the F# on e-string. You already have one on G string and you also have two B's and a D# on Bstring - therefore it is still a B major chord. But if you strum the e-string as well (4th fret barre) you get G# which makes it a B6 chord.

With the second it just needs more practice.

Answer 7

You could play this one -021200

I don't know what it is but it sounds like B Major.......it sounds better with the Kapo on 1st or 2nd fret.