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Hoots : How to simplify difficult barred chords in a song I really like a song and when I saw the chords they are : F#, C#, Dm#, B. And I'm beginner so is there a easier version for these chords or like change the chords and use - freshhoot.com

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How to simplify difficult barred chords in a song
I really like a song and when I saw the chords they are : F#, C#, Dm#, B.
And I'm beginner so is there a easier version for these chords or like change the chords and use a capo?


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Assuming the trouble for you is playing all barre chord, you can try playing the chord on 3 strings...

F# xx432x
C# xx312x
d#m xx434x
B xx444x

You can't strum them in the way of open chords, but a broken chord pattern with pick or fingerpicking will work nicely.


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If you put a capo on fret 4 you can play three of the four chords using open chord shapes.

F# at the 4th fret can be played with a 'D' shape:

%x.x.4.6/1.7/3.6/2[Fmaj]

C# at the 4th fret can be played with the 'A' shape:

%x.4.6/2.6/3.6/4.4[C#maj]

B at the 4th fret can be played with the 'G' shape:

%7/3.6/2.4.4.7/3.7/4[Gmaj]

The only slightly more awkward one in this situation is the D#m, which could be played as a barre chord:

%x.6/1.8/3.8/4.7/2.6/1[D#m]


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You ask about using a capo. By putting one on the second fret, you can use open chords as if it's in key E.

The F♯ now gets an E shape, the B gets an A shape and the C♯ can be played as B7. Yes, there's an extra note, but that's acceptable in a V chord. The slightly odd one's going to be vi - the D♯m, which is pretty close to F♯6. By playing an E6 shape (022120) it will sound o.k.

So, you'll be using 'open' chords, four fingers maximum, all changes straightforward. Give it a try - and you're still sounding in the same original key - F♯.


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If you're happy playing open chords as opposed to the barres involved here, take the song up by a semitone - most likely not going to strain any tonsils - and substitute as follows. G for F♯, D for C♯, Em for D♯m and C for B. Pretty simple and straightforward. The only drawback really being you won't be able to strum along with the track - but that wasn't mentioned...

Indebted to trolley813 - by tuning the guitar a semitone down, it will render averything back to the 'original' key.


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Here's my take on this. Chords where you only play the three highest strings, and you do not play the bass strings marked with X.

The chords are not in root position, except B, but I don't think that matters, because the notes are so high anyway. It's a bit like ukulele.


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