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Em Barre Chord Shape


(audio example is F, root on 1st fret of the 6th
string)

Fret/Chord Chart

You can determine the name of the chord when the root
(lowest) note is played on the frets in the chart below.

Fret123456789101112
ChordFF#/GbGG#/AbAA#/BbBCC#/DbDD#/EbE

Alternate Fingering

Here is a poplular alternative way of playing the E minor
style barre chord. It’s the same form with the exception
of the missing notes on the 5th and 6th strings. It is
used a lot because it’s an easer fingering than the full
barre chord. Since we’re just omiting 2 notes we don’t
need a new fret/chord chart, because this pattern is still
basically the same.

Exercise

Play the E minor style barre chord on the first 12 frets
starting on the 1st fret. Listen to this exercise in the
audio example below. You may want to say the names of the
chords as you travel up and down the fretboard to help
you remember them. The exercise is performed in the audio
example below.