Part II of Steve Krenz's advice on barre chords Here’s the deal. Barre chords take some time to bloom.  At first you can try your hardest and you just don't have the muscles in place to get them to sound.  It's a physical thing.  It takes time to develop the muscles needed. After a while of consistent work the muscles develop and the chord starts to open up and sound correctly. Here is a quick exercise to help you develop those index finger muscles that you need for barre chords.  (Most of you are right handed so I will describe it from that perspective.) 1) Hold your left arm out straight in front of you with an open left hand in front of you (like you were in the street telling someone to stop.  You should be looking at the back of your left hand stretched out in front of you about at eye-level. 2) Now, close your left hand so that only your index finger is still up. (Like you were at a ball game, face painted, saying to the camera "We're number 1 !") 3) Now, take your right hand and with your right hand index finger making contact with your left index finger on the end  (the opposite side of the nail) try to push your left hand index finger back toward you.  But resist this pressure with your left hand index finger.  Try to hold your left hand index finger straight even though there is this added pressure against it from the right hand. The muscles that it takes to hold your left hand index finger straight even with added pressure pressing it to move are the correct muscles for barre chords.  Do this exercise for a few days or a week and you will notice that the strength needed for barre chords to sound clear is developing.  Don't put too much pressure against your index finger.  Remember the goal is to strengthen your index finger (for the barre) not break your finger. The strength needed for barre chords comes from the index finger, not from the "squeezing" muscles in your hand.  When playing barre chords, resist the urge to raise your wrist up and start squeezing the neck harder.  The answer is not in those muscles.  Lower your wrist.  Even bring it forward slightly so that you are coming back onto the neck with your first finger.  Then you are using the right muscles. Work at it daily for several weeks and you will notice your barre chords starting to get clearer.  Most people just give up on barre chords too soon.  Unlike other aspects of playing, barre chords take time. I hope this helps.  Keep working at them and don't get discouraged. Steve Krenz Professional Guitarist and Educator Author – Learn and Master Guitar