There’s more than one way to play bar chords guitar players should know about. The traditional approach uses your first finger to bar all six strings. But there’s another method that guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and John Mayer use — wrapping your thumb around to catch the bass note.
Where This Technique Comes From
Let’s start with the standard F major bar chord. It comes from an E major shape moved up one fret:
With the full bar, your first finger acts like a moveable nut — it replaces the open strings. You’re barring all six strings and using fingers 2, 3, and 4 for the chord shape.
But there’s another option.
The Thumb-Wrapped Alternative
Instead of barring all six strings with your first finger, you can wrap your thumb around the neck to catch the 6th string. For a major chord like F, your first finger only needs to bar strings 1 and 2. Your thumb comes over the top of the neck to fret the 6th string. Same chord, different hand position.
This works because you’re still getting the same notes — the thumb just takes over the job your bar finger would normally do on the bass string.
Major vs Minor Thumb Wrapping
For major chords, your first finger bars just the 1st and 2nd strings while the thumb gets the 6th.
For minor chords, you need to bar three strings (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) with your first finger, and still use the thumb for the 6th string.
The difference? Minor chords have that flattened 3rd on the 3rd string, so you need your bar to cover it.
Moving the Shape Around
Once you’ve got the thumb-wrapped F, you can slide it anywhere. The pattern is completely moveable:
- 1st fret: F major
- 3rd fret: G major
- 5th fret: A major
- 7th fret: B major
- 8th fret: C major
- 10th fret: D major
Same goes for the minor shape. If F minor is at the 1st fret, G minor is at the 3rd, A minor at the 5th, and so on.
Who Should Use This Technique?
Honestly? It depends on your hands.
If you’ve got longer fingers — like Hendrix or John Mayer — thumb wrapping can feel really natural. It also frees up your hand position for certain embellishments and string bends.
If your fingers are shorter (like mine), you might find the traditional full bar more comfortable. I can do the thumb wrap, but I don’t feel as solid with it. The full bar keeps my hand squared up the way I was taught.
Neither approach is wrong. Some teachers will tell you thumb wrapping is “poor technique” because your hand sits differently. But if the chord sounds right and all the notes ring clean, who cares? Use whatever works for your hands.
When Thumb Wrapping Shines
There are situations where the thumb wrap really pays off:
- String bending: Your hand is already in position for big bends on the higher strings
- Chord embellishments: Easier to add hammer-ons and pull-offs with the freer hand position
- Blues and rock rhythm: That Hendrix-style chord work with muted strings and percussive hits
If you’re playing straight rhythm guitar or acoustic strumming, the full bar probably makes more sense. But for lead-oriented playing where you’re mixing chords and single notes, the thumb wrap opens up possibilities.
Try Both, Pick What Works
Don’t let anyone tell you there’s only one right way to play bar chords guitar style. Both approaches have their place — and plenty of pros use each one.
If you’re struggling with traditional bar chords, check out Why Can’t I Play Bar Chords? for troubleshooting tips. And if you want to see more bar chords guitar variations including the Bm chord, head over to our complete Bar Chords guide.
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