And why it doesn’t matter very much.
7 Likes
Good article!
1 Like
Nice thanks!
My takeaway. Maybe something to consider if I find something that just clicks with me vs something the absolutely doesn’t so I can know what to go for or avoid.
Otherwise no real need to pay too much attention because the difference is so minor.
1 Like
I was just wondering about this the other day… I have really stiff fingers and I find doing a A-shaped barre chord quite challenging. The ring finger should press the D,G,B strings, but the e should be either fretted by first finger or muted by the ring finger.
Since my ring finger is so stiff and doesn’t bend backward not even a little bit, I have to really concentrate that B string rings nicely, and the e is muted and not ringing.
I find out that I can do this much easily on my electric (fret radius 12") then on my acoustic (fret radius 13.75"). Both guitar was setup to have rather low action. Perhaps also the fret width plays some role in this… but the larger fret radius would be logical explanation why it is harder to play these barre chords…
Anyhow, the article shows that the mathematical difference in fret radius is minor and can be neglected. Then this only means I have to practice more 
I assume you have lighter strings on the electric? I would expect this to have the biggest impact on the ease of playing barre chords.
1 Like
Agree, I have lighter strings on electric. It could be the main factor, but also I don’t seem to have problem with finger power or muscles to press them strings down, just the flexibility of the finger that makes also the e string to bend down to the fret also, and sometimes buzz. Now if the fret would be curved back further from my finger, than the e string would not touch the fret and not buzz 
Theoretically, at least 
1 Like