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Hey guys, this is Dave Dunavant, a.k.a. the professor.  I'm the creative director here at Little Rock Jams, and I am also the author of a series of books called Street Guitar that we use here at LRJams.  Check out the website for my bio and keep checking the blog for new entries in my series called "The Professor".  Basically I'm going to post articles on intermediate to advanced topics that are in my books. 

Feel free to email me if you have any questions or requests for future articles.

Now for the first entry.  Here are the two patterns for playing barre chords in any key. Roman numerals are better than letter names because everything will look the same in all 12 keys.  If you want an in depth explanation of how chord progressions work for songwriting and jamming situations then just drop me a line and I'll tell you how you can get my book, Street Guitar.

                                                                                        Barre Chord Theory

                                                                        I, IV, V (same as 1,4,5) = major chords
                                                                        ii, iii, vi (same as 2,3,6)= minor chords

• the roman numerals on the lowest two strings (E and A) are where the roots of the barre chords are located

 

• you can move these two patterns around just like you can move a single barre chord shape horizontally on the guitar

 

• learn the optional locations for the iii and the vi chord after you are comfortable with the original locations

 

• wherever you put the I chord will be the key you are in (you can put the I chord on any fret you like)