I can play this chord and get a nice sound, but less so as I move this shape up the frets, and I do find it tiring. What I loved about your video was the encouragement that, with practice, it will come. Thanks so much Brett!
It can definitely be tiring! Just a little bit of attention to this chord shape each time you practice will definitely allow you see progress without wearing you out too much. Thanks for your comment, Valerie!
I immediately started using my pinky for B and Bm because the mechanics of my hand make my ring finger reach a challenge when I'm covering the strings with my 1st finger on its own or with the help of its friend. I'm a violinist and using my pinky comes naturally to me. The only thing I worry about is about adopting a technique that seems easier that then trips me up further down the line as a bad habit.
Thanks. I can barr this chord. But the idea of moving the elbow down is very helpful. Thanks. I've been focusing on the picking part of your school during these trying times. Nice to see a new video from you. Ronda
elbows in, raise the ukelele higher (the place where the frets are) where your left hand would naturally go, and when u try to barr with ur pointer finger, try to press down sidewards so that you can reach the fourth fret with ur ring finger better. like, the side-ish of ur finger, not flat into it. try it, idk but it works for me easier that way to get used to it. i have small hands, small fingers it sucks
I love your Tutorials! What a wonderful and patient teacher. Great tricks for this nasty chord. Unfortunately none of them work for my silly fingers. At least wo strings are muffled and no matter how I almost break my fingers - the sound is just dreadful. My entire hand hurts from trying so hard. I guess I will have to skip songs which include B chords. Or Emaj.... Or use a capo 😅
Hey Angie, one last consideration would be to try a different ukulele in case it is easier. The set up and quality of a ukulele can impact some of these things so if you're not seeing any progress at all with these tips then that is a possibility. Of course using a capo is a great trick too!
@@UkuleleTricks Thank you! I do appreciate you care about your students' problems. That's very sweet of you! 🙂 But my Ukulele is quite a good one. (Cascha Premium Concert, pickup, tuner, Mahogany... it had the best sound of those they had in the music store) Now it's tuned on low G string. The bridge has been lowered a bit (they did it for me in the music shop). I think it's all my stiff arthritis-fingers 😕. I have no clue how to use the capo to turn a C#m or G#m or Bm into (for me) playable chords. Emaj, Bm, Bb can even be topped by these nasty chords 😉😅
I found most helpful placing index finger high on bar so first knuckle sticks out, also holding index finger close to threat. I like the idea of using little finger for B. For me, that finger needs strengthening..,
sir your the best..... this is quite a difficult to play... but i will try.. I wish one day i will do like you... you are an inspection.... i wanna be a ukulele player like you.... I wanna teach another one day..... Sudha
Thats probably a no-go, but i like to use the thumb to hold down the g-string. It depends on the chord progression. But your video is nice practice for more flexibility. Thanx.
First time I've heard someone say to get right up next to the fret wire. Thanks! I can't wait to try that and your other Bm "tricks"! Onward...Bm or bust! Lol
Wow -- the very first tip about putting the pressure right up against the fret wire made a world of difference! Thanks so much -- now I can practice Harvest Moon more successfully!
I may be missing something, but your chord fingering diagram (starting at 0.57) says 3111. Would that not be 4222? Again at (6.44) on the video, you list 4111 rather than 4222. Am I seeing things incorrectly?
I had problems with the stupid G chord and finally got it... I'm not going to try any bar chords... It's lame and I'm done .. l'm quiting after two weeks in
Thank you!! This was the first time the Bm actually sounded good without breaking my hand! Especially the tip with the thumb and elbow was so helpful!
Doubling the middle finger with the pointer worked really well. Thanks
I can play this chord and get a nice sound, but less so as I move this shape up the frets, and I do find it tiring. What I loved about your video was the encouragement that, with practice, it will come. Thanks so much Brett!
It can definitely be tiring! Just a little bit of attention to this chord shape each time you practice will definitely allow you see progress without wearing you out too much. Thanks for your comment, Valerie!
GREAT TIPS 🙏 I have been struggling so much.
Using the pinky finger instead of the ring finger helped a lot, great tutorial, thank you 👊😊
Awesome to hear that did the trick!
I immediately started using my pinky for B and Bm because the mechanics of my hand make my ring finger reach a challenge when I'm covering the strings with my 1st finger on its own or with the help of its friend. I'm a violinist and using my pinky comes naturally to me. The only thing I worry about is about adopting a technique that seems easier that then trips me up further down the line as a bad habit.
Thanks. I can barr this chord. But the idea of moving the elbow down is very helpful. Thanks. I've been focusing on the picking part of your school during these trying times. Nice to see a new video from you. Ronda
Glad to know that trick worked for you, Ronda!
Some advice I got when I started playing was to keep the fretting hand elbow pointed into one's side rather than out as you demo'd. No "chicken arms!"
No chicken arms! I like that one, Shawn. Thanks for your comment!
The thumb pivot point was the game changer for me! Thank you so much for your tips :D
Awesome, I'm glad that worked!!
I think this explanation might be the best I have seen so far, I might have hope afterall, that wrist forward really helps thank you awesome you!🙏
I'm so glad it helped, Regina! Keep up that practice!
elbows in, raise the ukelele higher (the place where the frets are) where your left hand would naturally go, and when u try to barr with ur pointer finger, try to press down sidewards so that you can reach the fourth fret with ur ring finger better. like, the side-ish of ur finger, not flat into it. try it, idk but it works for me easier that way to get used to it. i have small hands, small fingers it sucks
Thanks for your comment!
That was awesome information. I could never get that chord. Now I can play it. Thank you.
Woohoo! Awesome, Rosemary!
Thanks. These tips were a big help.
I'm glad I could help, Pat! Thanks for watching.
How on earth can you place the ringfinger up there on the G string without having the first finger come off the A string?
Thanks for your tutorials!
Absolutely!
Thank you! I'm looking forward to putting it in to practice!
Best of luck!
Finally some helpful tips!
I love your Tutorials! What a wonderful and patient teacher.
Great tricks for this nasty chord.
Unfortunately none of them work for my silly fingers.
At least wo strings are muffled and no matter how I almost break my fingers - the sound is just dreadful. My entire hand hurts from trying so hard.
I guess I will have to skip songs which include B chords. Or Emaj.... Or use a capo 😅
Hey Angie, one last consideration would be to try a different ukulele in case it is easier. The set up and quality of a ukulele can impact some of these things so if you're not seeing any progress at all with these tips then that is a possibility. Of course using a capo is a great trick too!
@@UkuleleTricks Thank you!
I do appreciate you care about your students' problems. That's very sweet of you! 🙂
But my Ukulele is quite a good one. (Cascha Premium Concert, pickup, tuner, Mahogany... it had the best sound of those they had in the music store)
Now it's tuned on low G string.
The bridge has been lowered a bit (they did it for me in the music shop).
I think it's all my stiff arthritis-fingers 😕.
I have no clue how to use the capo to turn a C#m or G#m or Bm into (for me) playable chords.
Emaj, Bm, Bb can even be topped by these nasty chords 😉😅
I might just as well use my ukulele as firewood 😬🔥
My fingers simply lack the required strength 🙄
Thanks for these practical & effective tips
My pleasure, Riccardo! Thanks for watching.
THANK YOU!
You're welcome!
Thanks a Lot. You are awesome!
Glad it helped!
I found most helpful placing index finger high on bar so first knuckle sticks out, also holding index finger close to threat. I like the idea of using little finger for B. For me, that finger needs strengthening..,
That's great to hear! The little finger is often the weakest so keep at it and you'll find it very handy!
GLAD YOU BACK AND WELL, MOEABLE CHORDS WOULD BE A GREAT LESSON, AND YES I WILL BE PRACTICING THIS SHAPE EVEN THOUGH I AM ONE WITH SHORT FINGERS
Thanks, Linda!
sir your the best..... this is quite a difficult to play... but i will try.. I wish one day i will do like you... you are an inspection.... i wanna be a ukulele player like you.... I wanna teach another one day.....
Sudha
You can do it, Sudha!
Big help... thanks. Aloha
Glad it helped!
Thats probably a no-go, but i like to use the thumb to hold down the g-string. It depends on the chord progression. But your video is nice practice for more flexibility. Thanx.
Ah, nice! You must have pretty flexible thumbs.
First time I've heard someone say to get right up next to the fret wire. Thanks! I can't wait to try that and your other Bm "tricks"! Onward...Bm or bust! Lol
Glad to help! This trick is a great rule of thumb for any troublesome chord.
Wow -- the very first tip about putting the pressure right up against the fret wire made a world of difference! Thanks so much -- now I can practice Harvest Moon more successfully!
Glad to hear that did the trick for you, Joy!
Thank u so much for the useful info!
Any time!
The last one, as my 5th finger is too short and I can’t keep barring while pressing on the last chord.
my hands are REALLY small😭 this helped a lot but man are my fingers sore😅 before I’d just cheat and use my thumb for the top string
I may be missing something, but your chord fingering diagram (starting at 0.57) says 3111. Would that not be 4222? Again at (6.44) on the video, you list 4111 rather than 4222. Am I seeing things incorrectly?
Disregard...I just realized you are referring to fingers rather than fret position.
Good question, David, and yep, you figured it out. The chord diagram numbering code will be different than the fretting hand fingering number code.
I still can't play this chord. I can play the note for my ring finger but the other barr I just can't. It doesn't make sound
This is a hard chord! Keep working at it! How is the chord when you "double up" the barre?
@@UkuleleTricks its even harder because ny fingers don't do that lol
I had problems with the stupid G chord and finally got it... I'm not going to try any bar chords... It's lame and I'm done .. l'm quiting after two weeks in
My fingers just can't bend like that. Arthritis.
I give up.. it's just too hard
This chord is giving me nightmares
It does have that effect! Hang in there and keep working at this tough chord.
Hey Brett can I have a shoutout?
What's up, Tsunami, how's the ukulele playing going?
You are cute!
Another cheating method: just strum strings c e and a( practice missing the g string).
Amazing tips - thanks so much!!
Glad it was helpful! Any time!