Now that you have learned power chords you can see the advantages of using a shape that can be simply moved up or down the neck to create new chords. With barre chords we simulate moving the nut up the fretboard, allowing us to play the open shapes we know while creating different chords, by placing a finger across the width of the fretboard and press down on all of the strings. This part of the barre chords looks like this.

But we aren’t done yet we still need to put a chord in front of the barre to give us the chord we are looking for. The two commonly used shapes are E and A. Here they are with a barre in the 3rd fret making G and C major chords.

The barre chord also works with minors. By using a minor shape in front of the 3rd fret barre we create Gm and a Cm. 

By being able to play this shape anywhere on the neck it allows us to play any major or minor chord. Here are a few examples but trying playing and naming all of the chords up and down the neck. It will take some time to get your finger strong enough to master barre chords but don’t get frustrated it take s time. Just practice, practice, practice. Try barring while watching T.V. Even if you don’t strum the chord it will help you strengthen your fingers. Also when your are strumming your chord try plucking each string individually making sure it rings out then try them all at once like this.