Barre Chords: Index Finger and Hendrix Method

Rather than just learning the full barre chord shape and stopping there, this lesson goes deeper into how great rhythm guitarists actually use these shapes. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix and John Frusciante, the Hendrix method involves fretting partial chord shapes that leave the little finger free to add hammer-ons, slides and other embellishments.

What You'll Learn

•       How to play full root 6 barre chords in major and minor

•       The Hendrix method of partial barre chord fretting

•       How to switch between major and minor by lifting the middle finger

•       Barre chord positions at the key dotted frets on the neck

•       How partial chord shapes set you up for embellishments and lead playing

The Full Barre Chord

The E-shaped root 6 barre chord is built by placing the first finger across all six strings and adding an E major shape with fingers 2, 3 and 4 behind it. For major to minor, simply lift the middle finger. The key tips are: elbow close to the side, thumb at the back of the neck in the middle, and fingers 2, 3 and 4 right on their tips. It gets easier as you move towards the 5th fret and beyond.

The Hendrix Method

Instead of barring all six strings, the Hendrix method uses just fingers 1, 2 and 3 to fret a partial chord shape — leaving the little finger free. This is how Hendrix, Frusciante and many others add those classic hammer-on embellishments to their chord playing. A full barre locks your hand in place. The Hendrix method keeps it open and expressive.

Key Positions to Know

Focus on the dotted frets — 3, 5 and 7 — as your first reference points. At fret 3 you have G major and minor, at fret 5 A major and minor, at fret 7 B major and minor. These cover a huge number of songs and give you solid anchor points for the whole top half of the neck.