Notes on the Fifth String
To find root 5 bar chords easily, it is essential to know the notes on the 5th string from memory. The following diagram illustrates all notes on the fifth string up to the 13th fret. Try naming a chord and moving to the correct fret. Practice this until you can do it without hesitating or having to think ahead.
Here is an example which makes use of root 5 bar chords. Notice once again the use of percussive strumming.
To find any chord when using root 5 bar chords, simply move the shape up or down the fretboard. The chord will be named from the root note under your first finger on the 5th string as demonstrated in the following diagram. The root note can also be found on the 3rd string.
Basic Open Chord Shape
A
C (Root 5)
A# or Bb
B
C
C# or Db
D
D# or Eb
E
F
F# or Gb
G
G# or Ab
A
Changing Between Shapes
Once you know how to play both root 6 and root 5 bar chords, the next step is learning how to combine them. The following exercise will help you gain control of changing between the two major bar chords. The G chord is root 6 while the C and D chords are root 5.
These are chords I, IV and V in the key of G (Using Roman numerals to describe chords is explained in Scale Tone Chords in Section 4). These are the most common chords in any key. You could also move the chords to other positions on the fretboard and play a song using these chords in any key. This becomes even easier when you learn the following pattern, which applies to all keys.
If chord I is root 6, then chord IV will be root 5 at the same fret, and chord V will be root 5 two frets higher up the neck.
It is also possible to play this progression beginning with a root 5 chord. If chord chord I is root 5, then chord IV will be root 6 two frets lower, and chord V will be root 6 at the same fret as chord I. This pattern also applies to all keys. Note carefully the difference between this example and the previous one.
Here is another example which will give you more practice at changing between root 5 and root 6 bar chords. Notice the use of staccato here. Staccato with bar chords is achieved by quickly lifting the fingers off the fretboard but not off the strings immediately after strumming the chord. If you are not familiar with staccato playing, see Complete Learn to Play Rhythm Guitar Manual.
