One of the first major hurdles a guitar player has to overcome is the transition from using open chords, to barre chords. It's not an easy jump - the concept of using one finger to play more than one note is difficult for most, and building finger strength can be a struggle. There are several other techniques integral to playing barre chords, and if you're not executing them properly, it's just not going to sound great.

Which is why the Song Xpress Barre Chord Basics Vol. 1, as hosted by Aaron Stang, is a very good resource, especially for those who aren't taking guitar lessons. Stang outlines all the standard techniques guitar players use to make playing barre chords as easy as possible. The basic barre chord shapes are covered - including major and minor chords on sixth and fifth strings, minor and dominant 7th chords, a 13th chord shape, and others. Using musical examples like a 12 bar blues, a jazz variation of the blues, and Otis Redding's "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay", Stang illustrates how to put some of these new chord shapes into practice.

Although labelled as a barre chord instructional video, there are several off-topic segments which beginner guitarists will find helpful. In one instance, Stang explains the basic principle of how to create an overdriven sound using a basic electric guitar/amp set-up. This is useful information that many beginner guitarists might not know, and will definitely find insightful. Stang also takes time to provide guitarists with information on note names on the sixth and fifth string - essential information for those interested in properly utilizing barre chords.

Even the best instructional videos are no match for a qualified guitar instructor. With excellent resources like this one, however, a motivated guitarist can learn a great deal on their own. If you're a novice guitarist who has yet to tackle barre chords, the Song Xpress Barre Chord Basics Vol. 1 video comes highly recommended.