www.shortscale.org

[Dave]

Might have seen this thread talking about my bad index finger. I happened to read up on Tim Buckley and read the following:

[Gabriel]

I wouldn't say it's so much about extensions - as then you start getting into jazz territory. It's more about finding comfortable inversions.

I'd refer you to the CAGED system for finding chord shapes that are comfortable, some involve barring but some of them don't.



I use the 'C shape' constantly as I just prefer how it sounds and how it works with other chords.

The best route I'd say would be to just experiment. As long as you understand the basics of chord construction you will be able to experiment to find some comfortable shapes. It's all about adapting to your situation, it may even be worth switching over to 4ths tuning - E A D G C F - as this would significantly change the approach to fretting chords.

Also consider switching over to 3 or 4 note chord shapes, when playing alone they may not sound as satisfying, but in a band context they work brilliantly.

[George]

E shape but dont barre it. Use the index on the b or top e string only

[lorez]

I found the excellent fretboard roadmap book really helped with this stuff if you don't want to play barre chords

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fretboard-Roadmaps-Essential-Patterns-Techniques/dp/0793520886/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359312946&sr=1-1

This goes through using triads, partial barres or moveable shapes with adding notes around for a number of extended chords.

Also check out Justin guitars pages on:

Funk & Hendrix - http://justinguitar.com/en/RH-000-RhythmGuitar.php
Chords - http://justinguitar.com/en/CH-000-Chords.php
Jazz - http://justinguitar.com/en/JA-000-Jazz.php

Lots of partial shapes or non barre shapes in their. In fact I think Justin's site is the best free guitar site for learning out there & is more than just a beginners site.
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[Bacchus]

What Gabriel said. Plus, try those shapes and play the bass note with your thumb, a la Hendrix.
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[stewart]

there are plenty of ways of creating chords without using barres, you just have to be prepared to fumble around a bit, make use of open strings, drones, etc.
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[Thom]

[lorez]

Just had a thought about this Dave, if your hands/fingers are stopping you play in standard tuning & making interesting chords have you thought about altered Tunings? Lots of stuff might suit and tuning to a chord might mean simple shapes can be used which would be gentler on the hands.

Also drones/pedal notes can help create interesting harmonies as well as having melodies moving about to make things interesting.
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[NickD]

Altered tunings were my first thought as well - I use a few.