Rikkie
Cool tele, nice posture too ; )
 
http://youtu.be/deeBQZ8Aklc

Rikkie
Cool tele, nice posture too ; )
 
http://youtu.be/deeBQZ8Aklc

Beepster
The "normal" position (with the body draped over the right leg) is absolutely horrendous for not just neck stability and fretboard access it also brutal for one's posture. I attribute the advancement of my spinal curvature to being hunched over a guitar in that position for endless hours as a young puke. If I try that position now I have to put the guitar down shortly after and go lay down to stretch my back out again.
 
Now I use a strap to keep the guitar at my ten o'clock with the bass of the body resting on my right thigh to take some of the weight off. If I stood up the guitar would be strapped across where my stomach begins and my rib cage ends.
 
It sure don't look cool but allows for some major rippage all across the fretboard. Joe Satch and most of the crazy jazz guys wear their guitars up that high so that should tell you something.

sharke
...I remember as a teen in a thrash band, everyone was trying to outdo each other in the low slung stakes. I went along a little but hated it. Nothing worst than trying to shred with your wrist all bent up like that.

sharke

Kev999

sharke
...in the low slung stakes...

Here's an early example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vWTtx_PxPo
Did the Small Faces start that trend?

I should think Pete Townsend had a hand in it as well. 
 

Danny Danzi

dubdisciple
To make a long story short, I have picked up the guitar after years of letting them collect dust.  I never was a guitar player. I bought a couple 8-9 years ago, taught myself to play a little and then I had a tragedy strike that made me not want to touch a guitar.  Recently i decided to start again and remembered one of the things I was struggling with..barre chords.  How the f#$@% do you play them with any consistency? Does anyone know any tricks or tips for such things? 

Hey dub, how about I make YOU laugh?
 
I've got a pretty good musical track record....3/4 of which I never share with the forum unless I get asked specific questions or feel the need to explain something from experience.
 
That said, I suffer from the same thing you do. As a matter of fact, I suffered from barre chords so bad, when I was 12 years old, I sort of came up with my own way of tuning and to this day, it's how I play because I can barely play in standard tuning. So if you've ever heard me play, that's all done in a goofy tuning that would make you and any other guitarist laugh their butts off. :) I never wanted to be a virtuoso guitarist....I never wanted to learn theory....I never even thought I'd be interested in playing lead guitar and I NEVER though I'd have to learn crazy chords.
 
 
 
-Danny

Truckermusic
Many people ask this very same question so you are not alone.
 
There are a couple of things that you need to do and they are very simple.
1. make sure your guitar is set up properly...If you are not sure about this then take it to a "Trusted" guitar tech. If you do not know one, ask around your area for recommendations......google them etc....but do some looking....It may cost you about $40 bucks or so but it will save you a LOT of frustration...
 
2. Learn a System ......meaning there is a very logical system any compentent guitar teacher or friend can show you....it all stems out of the 1st postion chords E, A and D.......learn the major chords, the minor chords, dominante 7th chord, minor 7th chords and Major 7th chords.......with these 5 qualities you should be able to play your way thru any tune....
Once you learn them in 1st position then push then up and down the finger board
 
3. The CAGED system is also a good system....
 
4. Now ....to the mix......
Contrary to popular belief and I know that I am going to get slammed here but this is the truth...and if your guitar is set up properly..........It does NOT take a lot of strength to play barre chords....I know that is how we all start our but.....in fact if the muscle between your 1st finger and thumb is bulging out in a few minutes of playing them.......then you are trying to man handle the instrumet....
 
What it takes is finess and technique......once aquired you can play your barre chords with out tiring....
rather than try to re type all this finess information please read this article.....
http://douglasniedt.com/Tech_Tip_Little_Jennifer.html
 
I know it is by a trained classical guitarist......but we can learn from it......cause it works.....
 
5. Lastly, if you do want to increase the strength of your hands Please DO NOT go out and buy one of thoese items that music stores sell that you push with your fingers.......or that other item body builders use to squeeze in their hands......
 
Why?.........you are only building ONE muscle in the hand and in the end you will injure it........
There are 4 muscles in the hand....why would you only want to exercise one muscle.....and leave the other three alone?????  does not make much sense to me....
 
Instead there is a product out called Power Putty and it is cheap $8.00.
http://www.rei.com/produc...0&msid=v49ni7BC_dc|pcrid|44272128400|&{copy:s_kwcid}
 
It comes with instructions that include exercises for ALL FOUR Muscle groups of the hand so you are encompassing a COMPLETE package so to speak.....
the soft is really soft.....the medium (Green) is a good starting point and the Blue med. hard is REALLY HARD.....you will do your self more good with the Green three times a week (like while you are watching the news) than anything else you can do..
but also if you over do it you can hurt yourself ....so be moderate in your approach....
 
anyway
that is my 2 cents to your question...
If you want I have an excel spread sheet outlining how to go from 1st position chords into barre chords and how to take it around the neck.....if you PM me I will send it to you ....
 
Also use the arm muscles and not the hand muscles....
 
Clifford

dubdisciple
 
... i just need to practice more