Root 5 Bar Chord
The three bar chord shapes you have so far studied (major, minor and dominant 7th) have all had their root note on the sixth string. Bar chords with their root note on the fifth string shall now be studied. As with the root 6 chords, you will need to become familiar with the notes on the fifth string in order to name each root 5 bar chord. These chords can also be called "A formation" bar chords.
Bb
This Bb major bar chord can be regarded as an open A shape moved up one fret. However, instead of using three fingers, as is the case with the open A chord, the third finger is used to bar all three notes (see photo).
At the third fret, the root 5 bar chord shape becomes a C chord, at the 5th fret it becomes a D chord, at the 7th fret it becomes an E chord, and so on.
The root 5 major chord shape is perhaps the most difficult one you have studied so far. It will take much patience and perseverance to master. The main problem that you may encounter is accidental deadening of the first string with the third finger. The ability to overcome this depends on the flexibility of the last finger joint of the third finger. It is essential to produce a clear sound from the remaining five strings, even if the first string is deadened.
