Need Help With Barre Chords… Anyone Got Tips?

I’ve been learning guitar for about 7 months, and I’m trying to get into barre chords now since it feels like the next step. I’ve read a lot of tips here on how to improve, like rolling my finger and tucking my arm, but I just can’t get all the strings to ring out. The B string especially seems impossible without twisting my wrist into a really painful angle. Anyone got advice for keeping my wrist comfortable while still getting a good sound?

Barre chords aren’t about pressing down super hard; they’re more about finding the right little adjustments. Try small changes—move your finger a bit, bend a knuckle, or shift your wrist just slightly until it sounds right. It takes time to get that muscle memory down, and it’s normal if some days it works and others it doesn’t. With practice, it’ll eventually feel natural. Just remember, it’s not about force but subtle positioning.

@Stevie
Thanks for the tip! Is it normal for my wrist to hurt when I play barre chords?

Vail said:
@Stevie
Thanks for the tip! Is it normal for my wrist to hurt when I play barre chords?

Does it feel like a sharp pain or just tiredness from holding the chord? Sharp pain isn’t a good sign, but if it’s more of a dull ache, that could just be muscle fatigue. Even after years of playing, my wrist gets tired from too many barre chords. Once you’re more comfortable with the technique, you’ll be able to play longer without so much strain. If it’s really bothering you, maybe have someone watch your technique to make sure your wrist isn’t at a weird angle.

@Rory
It’s more of a dull ache, but it shows up after about 30 seconds of playing the barre chord. I can change my thumb position to make it stop, but then it sounds off. Just can’t seem to find a balance.

@Vail
That’s probably just your hand getting used to the stretch. Barre chords definitely ask for a lot from muscles that aren’t used to it.

Vail said:
@Stevie
Thanks for the tip! Is it normal for my wrist to hurt when I play barre chords?

Learning guitar is all about finding those tiny adjustments.

Yeah, like the others said, it’s going to take a while. Try placing your other fingers first (2nd, 3rd, and 4th), then put down your 1st finger. It seems like a small detail, but sometimes it helps.

Just to emphasize, there are two main things you need:

  • Practice
  • Patience

Don’t push through if it’s painful. If it hurts, take a break and try again later. Almost everyone goes through this struggle. You’ll think you’ll never get it, that it sounds terrible, that it’s impossible… then, one day, it just works. Keep at it!

Vail said:
@Avery
Thank you!!

No problem. There’s a lot of advice out there, but the truth is there’s no shortcut. It’s a new movement for your hands, and it just takes time for your muscles to learn how to do it right.

Be patient. It takes a while to sound good, and even longer to make it feel comfortable.

Mackenzie said:
Be patient. It takes a while to sound good, and even longer to make it feel comfortable.

That might be my issue… I keep expecting too much too soon.

Practice and don’t overthink it.

The main thing for me was realizing the weight of your arm does most of the work. The weight is pulling down, which doesn’t seem helpful at first because it just feels like your hand wants to slide off the fretboard. But if you angle it with your bicep, you’ll get a much better grip. You shouldn’t have to use your thumb as much, just enough to keep things stable. Relax the muscles you don’t need, and focus only on pressing down the string with your index finger. If your wrist is straining too much, it might mean you’re forcing it too much or have it twisted at an awkward angle. Keep your hand in a position that’s comfortable and experiment until it feels right.

@Keaton
Thank you! This is some fantastic advice!

Vail said:
@Keaton
Thank you! This is some fantastic advice!

Glad it’s helpful! Take it slow, though. When you’re adjusting your technique like this, don’t rush it or you might hurt yourself. Just ease into it, and don’t worry if it feels weird at first. It’ll come together with time.