Conquered, if only for a blip

[Silvia80]

Yay !

[CateB]

Thanks Sylvia

[Tbushell]

@CateB

Thank you and no. It did for a little bit as I do have quite weak hand strength but I’m using a hand exerciser thingy to help. It was more so that I really didn’t want to take my hand away but no, It’s fine.

Glad to hear it…pain is usually a warning sign that you are gripping too hard for too long. Sounds like you held on with a death grip, hoping you would remember how to do it.

Be careful…I gave myself tennis elbow the first time I tried to learn barre chords. It took a year before the pain went away - and only after I discovered Trigger Point Therapy.

Justin and others talk about “strength”, but I think technique is more important. You need to learn to apply the absolute minimum amount of force to get the notes to ring, and no more.

[CateB]

I do feel like I gripped it far too tightly. I think I’ll work more on my hand strength and less of squeezing the life out of the neck. I definitely don’t want to be getting an injury. Glad you’re okay now. Thanks so much again. I so appreciate the concern and will definitely be more aware.

Thank you Tom

[Tbushell]

I posted a video of how I practice barre chords. Let me know if you find it helpful, or have any questions.

(Practicing Barre Chords (without hurting yourself))

[Eddie_09]

Well done Cate! Took me a lot longer than you to conquer the dreaded F!

[CateB]

After 3 loads of washing, dinner prepared, work clothes ironed, etc etc …. it’s now me time so am about to watch it.
Thank you so much Tom.

[CateB]

Thank you Eddie but when I said conquered, I meant I managed only two reasonably okay strums that didn’t have my son fleeing to his room. We shall see how I go again now

Break it gently to me….how long did it take you?

[CateB]

Tom….WOW. Thank you so much. I can’t believe what a difference your video made. Never once did I think to hold it in the classical position but boy, what a difference. I also decided to try the strap I’d bought myself but hadn’t used as yet. I’m actually still trying to fathom that I just made several decent sounding Fs……minus, as you perfectly stated, that annoying B child but B aside, I’ll be watching your video every day until I get it, which I now feel will be so much sooner. Thank you so much again for such a concise lesson. I’ve not enough superlatives really. Thank you

[SgtColon]

That is really great to read Cate and congratulations. That F barre can sure make you sweat a little. Keep going and you’ll be F’ing all over the place before you know it.

[CateB]

Haha! I’ve gone and misplaced some important papers after a clean out on the weekend so am definitely doing a lot of Effing right now. Just not on the guitar but thank you Stefan. I hope to be appropriately F’ing with fluidity, very soon.

[mattswain]

The thing that has helped me with the F chord is pulling with my left upper arm, pulling my hand onto the strings, particularly helps with the thin strings. I find this greatly reduces the amount of pressure I need to apply with my fingers and hand, which reduces the fatigue in my left hand.

[CateB]

I think that may also, I hope, help with the B. That’s the one note that’s just not ringing out. Well, when I manage to completely “master” the other ones that is. Thank you. I’ve been so preoccupied finding this stuff that I’ve not picked up the all arvo but will definitely remember to do that. Tom posted a wonderful video for me, which is what has really helped so much more than even yesterday so will incorporate your advice with his and I’m sure by the end of the week, I’ll be playing sweet Fs in no time. . Thank you Matthew. Thanks Everyone.

Sorry, called you Stefan

[DarrellW]

It a eureka situation isn’t it?
Courtney did something similar, make sure that you watch to the end though (or skip some of it)

Spiritbox - Rule of Nines - Courtney LaPlante live one take performance

[Notter]

Winning there then Cate!!

[CateB]

I’m definitely having the dream of achieving it successfully and if so, I too will be screaming like Courtney. Her vocals are insane. I’d only recently watched a YouTuber reacting to her. Left me gobsmacked

[CateB]

Cheers Mark. One slight handful of fingers at a time but lessening each time since Tom’s and Matthew’s help

[jkahn]

@CateB

I strummed a relatively acceptable F barre chord - twice. My left hand has never felt such pain like it has right now but that’s possibly due to the fact I was too afraid to lift it away for a few minutes, despite the 3rd strum being not so great, for fear i’ll never play it again but hey, I did it.

Congrats Cate.

Now begins the long journey to build the muscle memory, strength and endurance. Make sure you practice it daily, then integrate it into songs… and over time you’ll eventually be able to play a song made up entirely of E shaped barre chords. Takes a while though!

[JasmineJ]

Awesome! Love it!
Such a great feeling!
Congratulations

[CateB]

Thank you JK. It will definitely be in my daily routine. The reason I quit 40 yrs ago was when my teacher started me on House of the Rising Sun. Good ol F so that will be the song I’ll be striving for. Not because it’s a favourite of mine or anything….but for a 4 decade revenge pact. Memory muscle has definitely been another of my exercises I’ve been working on. Thanks JK

So to all, I’m going to eventually learn House and when I do, I’ll bore you all with a recording of it