Barre Chords higher up the neck

YellowLedBetterMan

Hi guys,

I've been playing guitar on and off for 2 years now but am still struggling with barre chords on frets 9 through 12. its like my chubby fingers can't fret all the notes that high up.

Any pointers?

Lestratcaster

Keep first finger as close to the fret-wire as possible and maybe raise the height of them (whilst pressed obviously) so the creases in the fingers catch the strings right. Some people have to lower the height to get the notes to ring true. Also keep the first finger straight and drop the wrist.

CeeJay

 Maybe different voicings of the chords you're trying to play, using the bottom 4 strings. They're great fun to learn. Full barre chords at the 12th fret are for the gifted I reckon. 

sev112

Don’t play all the strings - I often play 2 or 3 strings only 

JAYJO

Have a look at the video in the Hand Pain thread this section. It may help you out.

YellowLedBetterMan

JAYJO said:

Have a look at the video in the Hand Pain thread this section. It may help you out.

I already have. It's not the pain of it I struggle with any more. I can play barre chords from frets 1 through 8 but not past that. It just feels awkward with my big fat fingers.

Philtre

Get some exercise!

Schnozz

M D Phillips.

LastMantra

Is it something in particular you are trying to play? 
I think you're just hitting the limitations of the instrument to be honest. If your fingers don't fit they don't fit. 
Full barre chords are pants anyway just play partial chords or different positions   

viz

Jumbo frets help. It’s easy on a Jem. 

Matt_McG

How big are your fingers really? Take a look at Segovia’s hands.

I’m not being cheeky, but I’ve certainly had friends who tell me their hands are too big to do something or other on the guitar whose hands turn out to be no bigger than mine. 

And there are certain voicings I once thought my hands couldn’t play, as they were too cramped, which I now play easily.

On the other hand, as others have said, maybe if your hands are huge, you need to change how you voice certain chords.

ftumch

Further up the neck on e shaped barre chord for example I'll play the a and d strings with just my 4th finger and the g string with my 3rd, gives you more room and works for Am shaped chords too.